Kim Jong Un's Head Bandage Fuels Speculation About Health

 

CREDIT: AP

North Korea's Kim Jong Un has recently been photographed in public with a large green spot on the back of his head. This further speculates the condition of his health.

There was another image that showed him showcasing an oblong bandage over the green mark.

The bruise and bandage were towards the right side of his head during a military meeting.

The mark has been visible for a while now.

CREDIT: Mikhail Svetlov/Getty Images

Despite his age, there is much speculation around the health of Kim Jong Un. 

He is known for his more plump appearance and chain-smoking.

Back in 2014, he was seen limping before he vanished from the public and then returned holding a cane. 

He also appeared breathless after a mountain hike with President Moon Jae-in back in 2018. President Moon appeared unfazed.

There were also rumours around his health after he missed "The Day of the Sun," a public holiday dedicated to the birthday of his grandfather.

CREDIT: KCNA/KNS/AFP-JIJI

Former Beijing Bureau Chief for the Washington Post, Anna Fifield has said, "The fact that he missed this really important event and that his younger sister, Kim Yo Jong, has been putting statements out in her own name all add credibly to this idea that he may have had a health incident."

Former CIA analyst Jung H. Pak has said, "Insight into Kim's health...would be the toughest to get because of North Korea's robust counterintelligence practices."

The trend #KIMJONGUNDEAD started swirling on Twitter after CNN reported Kim was in "grave danger after surgery," and TMZ published "Kim Jong-un reportedly dead after botched heart surgery."

His recent weight loss has also sparked concern over his health and well-being. 

CREDIT: KCNA/Reuters

Many are wondering whether it was a medical procedure that left that mark on his head. Others have pointed out that his grandfather Kim II Sung also had a "tennis ball sized" growth on the back of his head.

Kim's grandfather died in 1994 due to a heart attack, and Kim's father, Kim Jong II died due to the same cause at the age of 69 in 2011.

Kim Jong Un took over after the death of his father, some believed this was a new beginning for the country, others feared his rule would make life more unstable.