Look at that smile.

It’s almost tough to believe that Kim Jong Un runs one of the most oppressive regimes in the world, routinely ordering the imprisonment or public execution of anybody who speaks out against him.

Then again, he always looks happy when he’s unveiling things at opening ceremonies.

With rumours of Kim Jong Un’s poor health, or even death, circulating over the past few weeks, North Korean state-run media was delighted to report on his appearance at a May Day celebration in Sunchon this weekend.

The Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) said he spoke with officials, and then cut the ribbon at the opening of a fertilizer plant.

That’s almost as embarrassing as the time the ANC staged a ribbon-cutting at the opening of a toilet – true story.

Given that it’s North Korea, it’s tough to believe anything that is reported. CNN below:

“When the Sunchon Phosphatic Fertilizer Manufacturing Plant goes into operation, it will represent a historical development in our country’s fertilizer industry, it will be a glorious revolution and a splendid display of our nation’s great economic potential, and it will be an uplifting banner that assures us of the achievements of our country’s general economic frontline,” Kim said, according to the KCNA report.

Glorious, splendid, historical – it’s always the leaders with the most fragile egos that require this sort of language.

Here’s some footage of Kim, shared by North Korean media:

US President Donald Trump was happy to see reports of Kim back in action:

I, for one, am glad to see he is back, and well! https://t.co/mIWVeRMnOJ

— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) May 2, 2020

Cute – they fell in love and that love has endured.

The footage and images of Kim have been closely studied, and Al Jazeera reports that everything may not be as it seems:

…speculation about Kim’s health continued, after state-run television footage on Saturday showed Kim’s leg movements appearing stiff and jerky…

Cheong Seong-Chang, an analyst at South Korea’s Sejong Institute, said the video footage of Kim suggested he is recovering from some sort of medical setback that affected his walking, possibly related to his ankle…

Nam said if Kim is unable to stand for long periods that maybe the reason he did not attend the anniversary event in April at the Kumsusan Palace of the Sun, where he would have had to stand for at least about an hour.

Many others have pointed to the possibility that Kim Jong Un was struck down by the coronavirus. The country maintains it has zero cases, but that is very unlikely.

If he wasn’t positive himself, he may have been taking steps to avoid any risk:

“The most likely explanation for Kim’s absence is with North Korea declaring the coronavirus pandemic an existential threat … he most likely was taking steps to ensure his health or may have been impacted in some way personally by the virus,” said Harry Kazianis, senior director of Korean studies at the Center for the National Interest think-tank in Washington, DC.

Kim Jong Un’s health has always been cause for concern, as he is overweight, smokes and drinks, and has a family history of heart issues.

He is believed to be 36 years old, and good luck to any doctor who tries to confront him about his lifestyle choices.

[sources:cnn&aljazeera]