Is North Korean leader Kim Jong-un facing a serious health problem or has he cut too much food for the sake of his people, who are struggling with a lack of basic goods?
He chaired on 28 and 29 December the plenary of the Central Committee of the ruling Workers' Party, where they discussed strategies for the development of rural areas, new economic policies and the New Year's foreign policy.
North Korea is expected to give emphasis to the development of remote rural areas, as stressed by South Korean news agency Yonhap News Agency.
But in addition to the financial woes of the Pyongyang regime, South Korea has not failed to notice the big change in the image of 37-year-old Kim Jong-Un, who this year celebrated 10 years in power after the sudden the death of his father Kim Jong-Il in 2011.
With three photos of the North Korean strongman from September, October and December of this year, the neighbouring country's state news agency pointed out the great weight loss of Kim.
Rumours have been circulating since last year that he is facing a serious health problem.
However, after the latest photos released by the North Korean state news agency (KCNA) in which Kim Jong-Un appears as a shadow of himself, state officials claimed that the Supreme Leader "eats less for the sake of the country."
According to the South Korean secret services in 2011, when Kim took over the reins of the country, he weighed 90 kg.
Since then, he gained about 6 to 7 kg each year, with the result that last year his weight was estimated at 140 kg.
He is a well-known avid smoker.
Last October, South Korean intelligence revealed that Kim had lost 20 kilograms, but Seoul insisted that the leader of the neighbouring country does not have a serious health problem.
Experts on the regime have said that Kim Jong-Un's weight loss is not due to a health problem but to his efforts to improve his image.
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