The North Korean leader, Kim Jong Un, may be famous for his speeches, tactics and policies. Recently, he also became famous for something else, his toilet.
January 27, 2021, marked the first time when a North Korean leader met US President in Singapore. But more than the meeting, Kim Jong Un’s items caught media attention. According to reports, along with Kim Jong Un came an IL-76 transport plane carrying food, his bulletproof limousine and a portable toilet.
Also Read: Joe Biden’s big test: Proving he can rally allies against Vladimir Putin
Since being in power, it was Kim Jong Un’s first time abroad and the first time that a North Korean flew overseas after 32 years. A former North Korean Guard Command Personnel told the Washington Post that Kim Jong Un does not trust anyone and has a personal toilet that follows him around when he travels. He also added that the leader’s excretions contained information about his health and he could not risk giving up that information. Hence he carried a portable toilet. According to Chosunilbo, a South Korean news outlet, a portable toilet would have denied determined sewer divers insights into the supreme leader’s stools.
Also Read: North Korea slowly reopens border after strict 2-year lockdown
According to reports, Kim Jong Un has an inbuilt toilet system in all his vehicles. His bodyguards have a duty to keep an eye on his toilets, and anyone caught using them may be put to death. The dictator has a vision of empowering himself as a power symbol to other nations. Hence, other countries knowing his health status could be dangerous for the entire nation and his image.
Also Read: North Korea claims successful test of hypersonic missile
Kim Jong Un has been warned earlier of a heart attack because of his increase in obesity. There are concerns that information about his health could fuel speculation and rumor for his replacement.