Kim Jong Un Uses Private Restroom and Collects Cigarette Butts Amid Concerns Over Biometric Information Leakage

Nikkei Sheds Light on
Kim Jong Un's Strict Security Protocols
Including Private Restroom Use and DNA Protection

North Korean State Affairs Commission Chairman Kim Jong Un visited the Chemical Materials Comprehensive Research Institute under the Missile General Bureau on the 1st and received a report on the production of high-output solid propellants using carbon fiber composite materials and the results of ground ejection tests. He also discussed the establishment of a foundation for mass production, according to a report by the Korean Central News Agency on the 2nd. Yonhap News Agency

As North Korean State Affairs Commission Chairman Kim Jong Un heads to Beijing, China, to attend the 80th anniversary ceremony of the Chinese Victory Day on September 3, renewed attention has been drawn to his use of a private restroom and related security measures.

According to Japan's Nihon Keizai Shimbun (Nikkei) on September 2, Chairman Kim is currently traveling aboard his exclusive train, the "Taeyang-ho," en route to Beijing for the Victory Day 80th anniversary ceremony scheduled for September 3.

Nikkei, citing South Korean and Japanese intelligence authorities, reported that the special train is equipped with devices to monitor Kim's health status and prevent the leakage of biometric information that could potentially lead to assassination attempts.

In particular, his excrement is said to be strictly managed due to concerns that health information could be leaked through it. Nikkei reported that even during routine visits to military facilities or state-run factories in North Korea, Kim uses a personal restroom. This restroom is transported by vehicle and includes a separate bathroom facility.

In fact, during the inter-Korean summit held at the Peace House on the southern side of the Panmunjom Military Demarcation Line in 2018, a private restroom was brought in for Kim. Similarly, during the first North Korea-United States summit with U.S. President Donald Trump in Singapore in June of the same year, Kim's personal restroom was reportedly flown in as well.

Ahead of the second North Korea-United States summit in Hanoi, Vietnam, in February 2019, footage of Kim's train making a brief stop at a station in Nanning, Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, China, drew attention. According to video later released by Japanese broadcaster TBS, Kim stepped off the train to smoke a cigarette, and his younger sister Kim Yo Jong, now a vice department director of the Workers' Party, brought an ashtray and collected the cigarette butt. This appears to have been done out of concern that his health status could be revealed through the cigarette butt. Kim also immediately placed the used matchstick back into the matchbox.

Nikkei further reported that when staying at hotels for summits such as the North Korea-United States meetings, staff thoroughly clean the accommodations to remove any traces such as hair or saliva. Used tableware is also sterilized to completely eliminate any DNA traces, including bodily fluids. Extra precautions are taken with any objects Kim touches. During summit signing ceremonies, he used pens prepared by the North Korean side instead of those provided, in order to prevent fingerprint collection.

Stringent disinfection procedures are also in place to guard against assassination threats. During the 2018 inter-Korean summit, it is reported that disinfectant was sprayed in advance on the chair Kim would use, and the seat, backrest, and armrests were cleaned multiple times. Disinfectant was even sprayed into the air.

An official from South Korea's National Intelligence Service, who is well-versed in North Korean affairs, told Nikkei, "The health information of the supreme leader has a significant impact on the North Korean regime," adding, "North Korea makes special efforts to ensure that hair or excrement is not leaked to the outside."