"Even at 57, believable"... 30s Kim Jeong-eun, startled by rapid aging

Kim Jong-un, General Secretary of the Workers' Party of Korea and Chairman of the State Affairs Commission of North Korea, attended the memorial meeting for the 10th anniversary of the death of Kim Jong-il, Chairman of the National Defense Commission, held in Pyongyang on the 17th.
[Photo by Korean Central TV] [Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Hwang Sumi] Kim Jong-un, General Secretary of the Workers' Party of Korea and Chairman of the State Affairs Commission of North Korea, recently attracted attention by appearing with a rapidly aged face at the memorial event held in Pyongyang for the 10th anniversary of Kim Jong-il's death.

According to the Korean Central News Agency on the 19th, on the 17th, North Korea held a central memorial meeting at the square of the Kumsusan Palace of the Sun, where the bodies of President Kim Il-sung and Chairman Kim Jong-il are enshrined, to mark the 10th anniversary of Kim Jong-il's death.

Throughout North Korea, a mourning atmosphere was created with sirens sounding and moments of silence observed. North Korean media highlighted Kim Jong-il's achievements and encouraged loyalty to the Kim Jong-un regime.

In particular, the appearance of Chairman Kim at the event drew people's attention.

North Korean State Affairs Commission Chairman Kim Jong-un is attending the Central Memorial Meeting held at the Kumsusan Palace of the Sun in Pyongyang on the 17th, marking the 10th anniversary of his father, National Defense Commission Chairman Kim Jong-il's passing.
[Photo by Korean Central TV] [Image source=Yonhap News]

His face showed signs of rapid aging. Compared to his appearance during the on-site guidance at the Samjiyon City construction site on the 16th of last month, his physique is similar, but his complexion looks poor, and perhaps due to the progression of aging, his overall demeanor is noticeably different.

Chairman Kim was born in 1984 and is 38 years old this year.

Netizens who saw the photos reacted with comments such as "Did he lose weight rapidly?", "There are also talks about diabetes complications," "I would believe it if he was said to be 57," and "He looks like he has health problems."

Previously, Chairman Kim appeared with a significantly thinner appearance at the North Korean regime's founding anniversary event in September, sparking rumors about his health.

At that time, Japanese media reported the possibility that a body double was used after seeing Kim Jong-un's changed appearance. In November of last year, he weighed 140 kg, but the rapid weight loss and younger-looking appearance led to speculation about a double.