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Kim Jong Un appears to have piled on the pounds since he shed almost three stone during the Covid pandemic, with the latest pictures of the North Korean dictator showing him filling out his trademark leather jacket.

The despot was seen this week on an outing with his ‘most beloved’ daughter, named by South Korean intelligence as Ju Ae, who has been tipped to take the reigns of the hermit kingdom.

Speculation that he has chosen his heir apparent in his middle child – who is thought be aged between 10 and 12 years old – comes after experts suggested that the 40-year-old’s ballooning weight means he could ‘collapse’ at any time. 

Now, photographs released by state media appear to show him looking more rotund than in previous months – with a slimmer look even as recently as January – and noticeably larger than when he lost weight in 2021.

Kim disappeared from public view between January and May that year before returning 40lbs lighter, with officials saying he was eating less ‘for the sake of the country’ – as his people starved.

Kim Jong Un and his daughter this week

Kim Jong Un in 2022

The latest pictures of the North Korean dictator show him filling out his trademark leather jacket (pictured right this week and left in 2022)

Kim Jong Un and his daughter Kim Ju Ae visit the Gangdong Greenhouse in North Korea, in this picture released on March 16, 2024

Kim Jong Un and his daughter Kim Ju Ae visit the Gangdong Greenhouse in North Korea, in this picture released on March 16, 2024

Kim appeared more slender as he attended a submarine-launched cruise missile test on January 28, 2024

Kim appeared more slender as he attended a submarine-launched cruise missile test on January 28, 2024

Kim disappeared from public view in 2021 before returning 40lbs lighter (pictured in November 2021)

Kim disappeared from public view in 2021 before returning 40lbs lighter (pictured in November 2021)

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un attends a plenary meeting of the Central Committee of the ruling Workers' Party in this photo released on December 28, 2021

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un attends a plenary meeting of the Central Committee of the ruling Workers’ Party in this photo released on December 28, 2021

There was speculation at the time over whether the dictator – who is known for his love of fine food and wine – was simply aiming to look trimmer or if he was in fact cutting the calories over health concerns amid the Covid pandemic.

While the regime keeps Kim’s health a closely guarded secret, reports have emerged over the years that he could suffer from hypertension, diabetes and high cholesterol.

He is also a known smoker, with reports last year that he was indulging in ‘heavy boozing and smoking’,

In 2020, Dr Kenneth Dekleva suggested that Kim’s weight and other ‘risk factors’ gave him a one in three chance of a heart attack in the next ten years.

But in 2021, he stunned the world with a slimmed-down physique, with South Korean intelligence saying he had shed a staggering 44 pounds.

The tyrant, who stands at 5ft 6in, weighed in at over 300lbs at his peak, before dropping to around 260lbs.

Regime officials told state media that Kim was eating less ‘for the sake of the country’ as it grappled with famine, insisting that he remained healthy.

State TV even spoke to someone who said his ’emaciated’ condition was ‘breaking our people’s hearts’.

With the UN reporting that around 40 per cent of North Koreans faced malnourishment during the pandemic, such comments are considered to have been part of a propaganda campaign as many faced starvation.

Kim Jong Un is pictured inspecting a major operational training base in the western area of the Korean People's Army earlier this month

Kim Jong Un is pictured inspecting a major operational training base in the western area of the Korean People’s Army earlier this month

The North Korean despot was pictured standing next to a soldier during a training exercise this month

The North Korean despot was pictured standing next to a soldier during a training exercise this month

Speculation about Kim’s health also forced the government to ban gossip about his weight as a ‘reactionary act’. 

Analysts have suggested that Kim’s rapid weight loss would have been difficult to achieve had he not had a gastric band fitted.

Dr Dekleva told The Sun Online: ‘The rapidity and amount of his recent weight loss is consistent with a bariatric surgery procedure, probably a gastric sleeve or bypass procedure.’ 

Pictures of Kim as a teenager and young man show him with a far more slender figure.

Undated picture shows Kim Jong Un as a slimmer young man

Undated picture shows Kim Jong Un as a slimmer young man

Kim was seen wearing his trademark leather jacket as he watched a military drill this week

Kim was seen wearing his trademark leather jacket as he watched a military drill this week

After becoming leader of the PRK his waistline ballooned, with insiders claiming that he enjoys gorging on luxury food and drink.

But, according to a chef who worked for his late father, the dictator always had a taste for fine food and drink, including steak, sushi, champagne and cheese.

North Korean officials have good reason to worry about their Supreme Leader’s health.

His father, Kim Jong Il, and his grandfather, Kim Il Sung, both died of heart attacks. The health of the dictator is always a closely guarded state secret. 

Speculation is now mounting that Ju Ae is being prepared to inherit the leadership from her father, with South Korea’s spy agency the National Intelligence Service (NIS) saying on Friday that it views her as his probable successor.

Cheong Seong-Chang, an analyst at the private Sejong Institute in South Korea, said that Kim likely believes his daughter has the capacity and resolve to succeed him as leader. 

He said Kim Jong Un’s obesity appears so serious that ‘it won’t be surprising even if he collapses tomorrow’.

This picture released on January 12, 2022 shows Kim Jong Un (R) speaking with military officials

This picture released on January 12, 2022 shows Kim Jong Un (R) speaking with military officials

A leather-clad Kim Jong Un (pictured, left) was seen pumping his fist in the air as he oversaw a live-fire drill of a series of 'newly-equipped super-large' rocket launcher

A leather-clad Kim Jong Un (pictured, left) was seen pumping his fist in the air as he oversaw a live-fire drill of a series of ‘newly-equipped super-large’ rocket launcher

‘By accompanying her father on major events, it’s like she’s learning kingship and building a human network at a tender age,’ Cheong said.

South Korea‘s NIS said in January that the recent increased visibility of Ju Ae suggests she ‘appears to be the most likely successor.’

But, it added: ‘We are keeping our eyes open for all possibilities because Kim Jong Un is still young, has no major health problems, and there are many variables.’

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This post first appeared on Daily mail

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