North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has put on weight again and appears to be dealing with obesity-related health problems such as hypertension and diabetes. Its officials are looking abroad for new drugs for the treatment, according to a report by South Korea’s spy agency.

Kim, 40, who is known to drink and smoke heavily, comes from a family with a history of heart disease. Both his father and grandfather, who ruled North Korea before him, died of heart problems.

Observers reported that Kim, who is about 1.70m tall and previously weighed 140kg, had shed a lot of weight in 2021. However, recent footage from state media shows he has put the weight back on.

On Monday, the National Intelligence Service, South Korea’s main spy agency, informed parliament that Kim is estimated to be weighing about 140 kilograms again and is in a high-risk group for heart disease.

According to the same information, Kim has been showing symptoms of high blood pressure and diabetes since his 30s. South Korean intelligence believes Kim’s obesity is linked to drinking, smoking and stress.

Intelligence has received information that North Korean officials are trying to find new drugs abroad for Kim’s high blood pressure and diabetes.

North Korea is one of the most secretive countries in the world, and there is virtually no way for outsiders to know Kim’s exact health conditions. Not even the South Korean secret service manages to get the information right most of the time.

However, the same agency estimated that Kim’s daughter, who is only 10 or 11 years old, is being trained to become the next leader of North Korea.

Kim Joo-ae is seen as the front-runner for succession, but one of her brothers could win power.

Rumors flared when she accompanied her father to high-profile public events in late 2022.

State media called her Kim Jong Un’s “most favorite” child.