Kim Jong Un's security screened US-provided pen multiple times before signing ceremony, leader's sister then swapped it at the end
North Korean dictator Kim Jong Un's paranoia was on display again on Tuesday as his security aide screened the pen provided for the signing ceremony by the United States multiple times during the summit in Singapore.
Reports state that moments before Kim sat down along with President Donald Trump to sign a joint statement after the leaders' first meeting, a male security personnel — who was wearing white gloves — grabbed the black pen which was laid out for Kim. The aid then proceeded to swab the pen multiple times with a white cloth before the Pyongyang ruler could touch it.
When Trump and Kim arrived at the venue and sat for the signing, Kim's sister, Kim Yo-jong who is his trusted adviser, swiftly reached out and gave him a different pen which she took out of her jacket's pocket.
The North Korean ruler then proceeded to sign the agreement with the pen provided by her sister. The agreement proclaimed the hermit nation's commitment "to work toward complete denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula," according to Daily Mail.
Talking about the latest peculiar incident linked to Kim, GlobalSecurity.org's John Pike said: "They have a well-founded fear of somebody learning something about his health."
"The fact that they are so insanely meticulous puts Howard Hughes to shame," Pike, a security expert, said while talking to DailyMail. He also noted that Kim's weight has fluctuated quite a bit recently and he has also been spotted using a cane on certain occasions.
Pike added that even though Trump claims to have germophobia, he has not been seen doing similar peculiar procedures in public, at least.
"The Don claims to have germaphobia but I haven't seen him doing any weird stuff like this," Pike said.
Reports state that North Korea has several concerns when it comes to their rulers, one of them is the western intelligence services gaining information about his health.
The security expert added: "They are extremely careful about making sure that nobody gets any biological samples of him,' said Pike. 'If anybody knew for sure what was wrong with him it wouldn't look good ... His legitimacy would be called into question."
The hermit nation's leader reportedly also carries his own portable toilet with him in efforts to prevent foreigners from getting his stool sample, which could reveal information about his health.
Kim, who has banished all his political rivals and allegedly murdered his uncle, takes extra precautions to avoid any threats to his own security.
Kim's extravagant security measures also include his army of bodyguards which escort him at all times in public by making a protective ring around their leader. These bodyguards have also been in news for their bizarre procedure of running along with Kim's motorcade.
A GlobalSecurity analysis states that there are speculations about Kim suffering from multiple health ailments, which include diabetes, hyperlipidemia, obesity and high blood pressure.