When you lose an immense amount of weight, everyone takes notice. People compliment you for the healthy choices you made and are often inspired by your journey. 

Now, place a leader in this situation. A super important, powerful one. The impact would be quite a lot, don't you think? 

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un took centre stage at the military parade recently and made headlines around the world for his thinner frame. Moreover, he also looked tanned the right amount with a haircut that would remind one of his grandfather and state founder Kim Il Sung.

© Twitter/Kim Jong Un

While the set-up looked tremendous and included military dogs and virus workers decked in orange hazmat suits, it was Kim who stole all the attention with his transformation. 

Wearing a cream suit with a shiny tie, Kim arrived as the clock hit midnight and was welcomed with thunderous applause from people in the crowd as the Kim II square lit up marking his presence. 

He waved at the audience and gave kisses to kids as he was presented with flowers before taking his place before the people.

It's striking how much healthier Kim Jong Un is looking in these photos from yesterday. However he is doing it -- and there are theories -- he looks a lot better than he did a few months ago. pic.twitter.com/DKqCOFSBF8

— Martyn Williams (@martyn_williams) September 9, 2021

© Twitter/Kim Jong Un_Fc

A few years ago, Kim was overweight and was also a smoker; hence, whenever he made an appearance, he was always spotted wheezing and barely able to move.  

Reports state that his weight loss results from his efforts to keep in shape rather than a health condition, as he has to make regular public appearances. However, it may be for political reasons as well.  

His weight loss was pretty visible since June after he made his first appearance in weeks. Since his grandfather and father both died due to heart attacks, people were worried about Kim as he stopped making appearances.  

People who have been keenly observing and monitoring the North Korean leader said that Kim, who is 5 feet, 8 inches tall, weighed 308 pounds and has lost 22-44 pounds.  

At the parade, a lot of North Koreans broke down seeing his transformation out of concern as questions about his health had been previously raised. 

© Twitter/martyn_williams

This time though, his frame was thinner as opposed to the footage from 2018 that showed him struggling to catch his breath as he accompanied South Korean President Moon Jae-in. 

© Twitter/martyn_williams

© Twitter/martyn_williams

Meanwhile, North Korea is facing its worst food shortage, especially, amid the pandemic.  

Here's how the people reacted to his weight loss journey.  

What are the leading theories?

— Sam Jernigan (@sjerniganIV) September 9, 2021

Uh oh SOMEbody started a (South) Korean skincare regimen during Covid

— Ramona (@MonaGeezie) September 9, 2021

Wow good for him. I don’t understand why the media is calling it a “health scare”? Why can’t it be that he made a healthy lifestyle change after being severely obese. Maybe he tackled the problem and took it serious..

— S.War (@S6eri91) September 9, 2021

I see your point. He does have kids & maybe gave up his cheese addiction. I've been trying to give up cheese for years. His head is still big, but he may have intentionally been trying to reduce his weight.

— None-Ya (@KotoTerri) September 9, 2021

Are you sure it's him? The facial features look different.

— Sonja Stringer (@Sonmar7Sonja) September 9, 2021

The mystery of dieting: the greatest secret of North Korea

— Leftist Jibaro ☭ (@prjibaromarx) September 9, 2021

I suspect that his mystery disappearance a few months ago may have had something to do with this. Bariatric surgery is not really mysterious, is it?

— judy rue (@j4roo) September 9, 2021

View the full article