Kim Jong-un, Extremely High Risk of Heart Disease Due to Severe Obesity
National Intelligence Service "North Korea is Seeking New Treatments"
US Experts Identify Ozempic and Other Diet Drugs
Kim Jong-un, Chairman of the State Affairs Commission of North Korea, who is in a state of extreme obesity nearing 140 kg, has been observed to have instructed to 'look for new treatments overseas.' Injectable drugs such as Ozempic, known to be effective for weight loss by Tesla CEO Elon Musk and others, are being mentioned.
According to Radio Free Asia (RFA) on the 31st, Gilbert Burnham, a professor of public health at Johns Hopkins University, stated, "It seems that Kim Jong-un's personal physician is having difficulty controlling his health conditions, including hypertension and diabetes," and added, "Weight loss treatments like Wegovy could be good candidates to improve such symptoms." Ozempic, developed by pharmaceutical company Novo Nordisk initially as a diabetes treatment, showed effectiveness in weight loss and was also released as an obesity treatment under the brand name Wegovy in 2021 with the same active ingredient.
The National Intelligence Service recently reported to the National Assembly Intelligence Committee that Kim Jong-un's weight reaches 140 kg and his body mass index (BMI) is in the mid-40s, far exceeding the normal standard of 25, indicating a state of extreme obesity. It is understood that he began showing symptoms of hypertension and diabetes from his early 30s, and if the current condition is not improved, he is considered a high-risk group likely to develop cardiovascular diseases with a family history.
In particular, the National Intelligence Service stated, "There are signs that Kim Jong-un is looking for other medications besides the existing ones," and added, "There is speculation that some situations may be difficult to manage with the current medications alone." During a briefing by the Intelligence Committee's secretary, it was further explained, "It appears that (Kim Jong-un) has hypertension and diabetes-related diseases, and there was a clear mention that he instructed to 'look for such treatments overseas.'"
David Hong, a pediatric neurosurgeon who volunteered at Pyongyang Okryu Children's Hospital, assessed, "Kim Jong-un's health condition is highly likely progressing toward 'metabolic syndrome.'" Metabolic syndrome means multiple metabolic-related diseases occur together, including weight gain, hypertension, diabetes, and increased risk of heart attack. Dr. Hong observed, "He would need to take hypoglycemic agents or, in severe cases, insulin injections," and speculated, "Kim Jong-un might be seeking access to drugs like Ozempic, which has recently gained great popularity in the United States for weight loss."
Another expert also predicted that Chairman Kim would show interest in diet drugs. Kwon O-gi, an internal medicine specialist, said, "The drug Kim Jong-un is newly searching for is probably a drug like Ozempic," adding, "Because this drug can solve all the health problems he is suffering from." Dr. Kwon warned, "Originally developed as a diabetes medication, it has shown many results helping with other diseases such as weight reduction, lowering blood sugar, and preventing heart disease," but cautioned, "There are side effects such as gastrointestinal disorders and diarrhea."
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