During Putin's highly anticipated visit to North Korea, a former CIA analyst has expressed concerns regarding the health of Kim Jong Un. After carefully reviewing footage from the event, the analyst pointed out a noticeable change in Kim Jong Un's appearance, which has raised questions about potential health issues. This observation is juxtaposed with previous instances where Kim's weight loss had improved his overall appearance, suggesting that his current condition may be cause for concern.
Aside from health assessments, analysts have also focused on the elaborate reception that Putin received during his visit to Pyongyang. Putin was given a ceremonial welcome and was presented with Pungsan dogs, which are symbolic of North Korea's goodwill. These gestures are seen as Kim Jong Un's efforts to showcase North Korea as a "regular country" in the global arena.
The visit marked Putin's first to North Korea since 2000, during which he and Kim signed a mutual defense pact. This pact involves both nations providing military support to each other in the face of external aggression or sanctions, particularly in the context of global tensions such as the Ukraine conflict. Additionally, Kim pledged unwavering support to Russia in its conflict with Kyiv.
Analysts have delved deeply into the strategic and diplomatic maneuvers surrounding Putin's visit to North Korea. They have emphasized the geopolitical implications and provided their own personal assessments of Kim Jong Un's health and diplomatic gestures.