Rich food-loving Kim Jong-un is ‘extremely obese’ after surging to 310lb

Published: 12:05 EDT, 5 October 2026 | Updated: 12:05 EDT, 5 October 2026

North Korean leader Kim Jong-un is believed to be at ‘high risk of developing cardiovascular disease’ as his weight continues to balloon, Seoul’s spy agency reports.

Kim’s heavy smoking and chronic obesity continue to raise international questions about who would succeed him as Supreme Leader of the nuclear-armed state if he were to die suddenly.

And now the figurehead, believed to be in his early 40s, has been classified ‘as extremely obese’ and weighs more than 310lb, Seoul politician Youn Kun-young said, citing South Korea’s National Intelligence Service (NIS).

Ailing: North Korean leader Kim Jong-un is understood to be ‘extremely obese’ and at risk of numerous life-threatening health conditions

While he is at ‘high risk of cardiovascular disease’, Kim has shown no difficulty with physical activity, including running up stairs, Youn added.

‘It is assessed that there are no signs of health issues, given the close monitoring by (his) dedicated medical team.’

Speculation over Kim’s health first flared in 2020 when he missed a commemoration of his late grandfather’s birthday. He was away from the public eye for about 20 days, fueling rumors that he was seriously ill after surgery.

Kim’s father Kim Jong Il and grandfather Kim Il Sung, were also obese and heavy smokers. Both died from heart attacks.

Larger than life: He appears animated among his armed forces. The Supreme Leader is reported to weigh more than 310lb

North Korea has struggled with repeated food shortages over the years, with the UN calling food insecurity a key humanitarian concern.

But a chef who worked with Kim’s personal chefs during a North Korea-U.S. summit has revealed the leader has a taste for luxury foods.

Paul Smart – who was the executive chef at Hanoi’s Metropole hotel, where the summit was held – said in 2019: ‘He likes caviar, lobster, really luxurious product. Foie gras, he really likes to indulge in cuisine.’

He added the steaks the North Koreans brought for the leader weren’t dissimilar to highly coveted Japanese wagyu, and were served rare.

Legacy: Kim’s father Kim Jong Il and grandfather Kim Il Sung, were also obese before they both succumbed to heart attacks

Bad habits: He is also a heavy smoker, further impacting his health in a negative manner