‘Emaciated’ Kim causes ‘tears and heartbreaks’ in N Korea

North Korean state television has aired a citizen's comment about Kim Jong Un's "emaciated" condition, a highly unusual broadcast in a country where public discussion of the leader's health and personal life has always been off-limits. 

Analysts say the remarks showed authorities were seeking to use the change to Kim's weight to reinforce loyalty to the regime in desparate times.

Known as a heavy smoker, the leader has long been obese, with his weight appearing to increase steadily in recent years.But he looked noticeably less overweight in recent media images published by Pyongyang's official KCNA news agency and on state television.

Kim's personal life is normally taboo for North Korea's state media but KCTV last week aired a clip of an unnamed resident of the capital claiming everyone in the country was "heartbroken" by his "emaciated" condition.

"Seeing our respected general secretary looking emaciated breaks our people's hearts the most," he said. "Everyone is talking about how their tears welled up immediately."

Analysts say Pyongyang is using Kim's appearance as a way to glorify him by portraying him as a "devoted, hardworking" leader as the country struggles to tackle its food crisis and other challenges.

Kim's father Kim Jong-Il and grandfather Kim Il-Sung were also obese and heavy smokers. Both died of heart attacks.