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Kim Jong-un's mysterious head bandage ignites health rumours

Speculation surrounding Kim Jong-un's health continues to grow after the North Korean dictator was photographed out in public with a bandage on the back of his head.

According to NK News, the North Korean leader was seen later with a dark greenish mark, that looked to be a bruise, on the back of his head during a military event he attended from July 24-27.

It was also seen in footage of a war veteran's conference and related events held from July 27-29.

A mysterious head wound fuelled further speculation about Kim Jong-un's health. Source: KCTC
A mysterious head wound fuelled further speculation about Kim Jong-un's health. Source: KCTC

The state media reported in June that North Korean citizens broke down in tears after seeing an "emancipated", thinner-looking Kim Jong-un, who had been hidden from the public eye for several weeks beforehand.

Speculation continues that Kim Jong-un is unwell

Although he's only 37, Kim Jong-un is a smoker, considered obese, and has congenital heart problems.

The dictator's latest ailment has only added to the rumours surrounding his health that have swirled since he took over as the leader of North Korea from his father in 2011.

These rumours intensified in 2020, when Kim Jong-un missed 'The Day of the Sun', a public holiday that celebrates the birthday of his grandfather on April 15. The day is regarded as the most important on the North Korean calendar, and his absence was widely documented.

“The fact that he missed this really important event and that his younger sister, Kim Yo Jong, has been putting statements out in her own name all add credibly to this idea that he may have had a health incident,” Anna Fifield, former Beijing bureau chief for The Washington Post, explained at the time, adding it's difficult to know the credibility of any information that is released.

Kim Jong-un also disappeared from the public eye for almost six weeks in 2014, returning with a limp and walking stick, raising some concerns.

His grandfather died of a heart attack in 1994, as did his father, Kim Jong Il, who died at the age of 69 in 2011.

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