North Korea`s Kim Jong Un seen with head bandage, fuels speculation about health

Images from these events show Kim Jong Un without the bandage about the size of a few postage stamps and in some a dark greenish spot or bruise on his head could be seen, NK News site reported.

New Delhi: North Korean leader Kim Jong Un was recently photographed out in public with a dark spot as well as a bandage at the back of his head during a public event, once again fuelling speculations about his health — long a topic of global fascination. According to the NK News site, Kim Jong Un appeared at events of the Korean People’s Army from July 24 to July 27 and was also seen in footage of a war veterans conference and related programmes from July 27 to July 29. 

Images from a military meeting held July 24-27 showed the 37-year-old dictator with a bruise and bandage toward the right side of his head. NK News added that the mark was visible at other events held between July 27 and 29. The website reported that the North Korean leader was also spotted without the bandage with dark greenish spot or bruise on the back side of head. "The cause or nature of the large, dark green spot or bruise on the rear right side of his head, which was covered with a bandage in some footage, is still unknown and is difficult to diagnose using only images," the NK News said.

NK News also said that the mark on Kim Jong Un's head was not seen at a politburo meeting on June 29 as it reported that photos of the 37-year-old leader released from an appearance with musicians on July 11 did not show the back of his head. Kim's health is one of the most closely guarded topics in North Korea, and long of the world's fascination.

The Yonhap News Agency reported on Tuesday that South Korea's National Intelligence Service believes there have been no unusual signs regarding Kim Jong Un's health. It cited lawmakers briefed by the spy agency, which added the patch was removed after a few days and there was no scar.

The North Korean leader is known to maintain a short hair look with his hair hair shaved below the level of his temple. His hairstyle makes it difficult to hide any blemishes on the back of his head. His latest pictures with dark blemishes on the back of his head, have undoubtedly provided enough fodder for spy agencies looking for clues on Kim's health.

Kim has frequently faced speculation that he is in ill health despite the fact that he is not yet 40.

In 2014, Kim was spotted limping and vanished from the public eye before returning with a cane. After a mountain hike with President Moon Jae-in of South Korea in 2018, Kim appeared to be breathless, while Moon, who was 68 at the time, seemed unfazed by their climb, reported the Washington Post.

On April 15, 2020, Kim missed the most important date on the North Korean calendar, 'The Day of the Sun', a public holiday dedicated to the birthday of his grandfather. His absence was widely documented and intensified rumors that he was unwell.

Last year, CNN reported Kim was in 'grave danger after surgery'. 

Most recently, the leader's dramatic weight loss has further sparked questions about his well-being and rumours he may be suffering from a health condition.

Kim Jong Un took over from his father following his death, a move that some hailed as a new beginning for the country, while others raised fears that life under his leadership could become increasingly more unstable, reported the Washington Post.