Kim Jong-un's poor health could be a result of his diet that included lots of cheese, meat and alcohol
Rumors surrounding North Korean leader Kim Jong-un's ill heath have intensified after media reports suggest that he has died or is in a vegetative state following heart surgery.
CNN first reported that Kim is in "grave danger" following a heart surgery according to a US official who also said that the country is closely monitoring the situation. A later report from a Japanese magazine stated that the North Korean leader was in a "vegetative state". Further unconfirmed reports emerged that Kim had died this week.
Reports also emerged of North Korea's closest ally, China, sending medics to the country to "advise on" the North Korean dictator's health. The 36-year-old leader's condition remains a mystery as North Korea is one of the world's most secretive states.
However, experts have long been warning about Kim's diet and eating habits. Kim has been known to be a chain smoker and has been seen puffing away on cigarettes in public appearances, as well as on the sidelines of summits with US President Donald Trump.
Personal chef to Kim's father, Kim Jong-il, for 13 years, Kenji Fujimoto had spoken to the Daily Mail in 2015 about the dictator's extravagant and luxurious eating habits. The chef used a fake name out of concern for his safety.
He told the publication, "I used to make sushi for the General (Jong-il) at least once a week and Jong-un always joined the dinner. So I could say Jong-un liked sushi."
Kim also reportedly had a fondness for champagne as Fujimoto revealed that the North Korean leader's favorite was Cristal and that he would finish "usually about two bottles [in a sitting]." The leader also reportedly drank "10 bottles of Bordeaux" during a meal.
In 2012, Fujimoto attended an extravagant banquet in North Korea on a personal invitation from Kim. The banquet served up delicacies such as Kobe beef steaks and shark fin soup. On the occasion, Fujimoto said, "I was so drunk when I visited North Korea in 2012 and when I woke up, I was in my bed, so I don't remember what was on the table well."
Reports also suggest that the leader's massive weight gain since he took the position as the Supreme Leader could be accounted to his love for Emmental cheese. The UK's Metro claimed in 2014 that Kim had vanished from the public eye due to his love for cheese and alcohol which reportedly caused gout.
According to the Metro's report, Kim likely picked up a taste for Emmental cheese during his education in Switzerland. Made from whole cow's milk and is not low in fat content. Reportedly, in 2014, Pyongyang officials visited a French dairy college in an attempt to secure more fine cheeses for their country.
Ermanno Furlanis, an Italian chef recruited to make pizza for the regime in 1997 as North Korea, also spoke to Daily Mail, saying that Kim Jong-Un's father, Kim Jong-Il was a "maniac" for food and that his interest in food was "not normal."
Furlanis added that Kim may have inherited his father's taste for meat, saying, "They loved so much the meat, the salami, the prosciutto, the ham." He further explained, "In North Korea, they are very fond of bulgogi (Korean-style marinated beef), and we know that meat is not healthy if you eat too much."
Kim Jong-il died of a heart attack in December 2011. According to the Daily Mail, the elder Kim was obsessed with luxury food and drink and would often send Fujimoto on missions to retrieve the finest ingredients from around the world, such as Uzbek caviar and Czech beer.
Though Kim Jong-Il lived to the age of 69, his son's penchant for smoking may have resulted in poorer health. According to reports, Kim prefers French designer cigarettes. The Yves Saint Laurent variety that he prefers sell for $44 per pack and the accompanying leather case to carry them in costs $165.