"Intent to Sever NK Links... 140kg Kim Jong-un Shows No Health Issues"

[Anchor]

Regarding the statement by North Korea's Kim Yo-jong claiming that the landmine explosion incident was a South Korean "fabrication," the National Intelligence Service reported to the National Assembly today (Sept. 30) that it is analyzed as an intent to cut off any North Korean connection. The NIS also reported that while Kim Jong-un's weight is estimated at around 140 kilograms, there appear to be no signs of health problems.

Reporter Park Chan-beom reports.

[Reporter]

This morning, the National Intelligence Service briefed the National Assembly's Intelligence Committee on its analysis of the statement issued by Kim Yo-jong, vice department director of North Korea's Workers' Party, regarding the landmine explosion incident.

[Yoon Kun-young / Democratic Party Lawmaker: "The NIS analyzes that by insisting it is a staged act, North Korea intends to cut off any connection to itself."]

The NIS assessed North Korea's stance as "low-key," or restrained, and also paid attention to the fact that the statement was issued by Kim Yo-jong rather than the military.

[Yoo Young-ha / People Power Party Lawmaker: "When analyzing the content of the statement, the NIS assesses that it was a very 'low-key' statement."]

Regarding North Korea-US dialogue, the NIS noted that North Korea's restraint in criticizing US President Trump indicates its intention not to disrupt talks, forecasting that dialogue between Pyongyang and Washington could potentially take place on the occasion of the APEC summit to be held in China this November.

[Yoo Young-ha / People Power Party Lawmaker: "Intelligence authorities analyze that there is about a 50% chance of it happening around the APEC summit. And North Korea is also showing signs of trying not to miss this opportunity."]

Regarding North Korean leader Kim Jong-un, the agency reported that although he is severely obese in the 140-kilogram range, there are no signs of health abnormalities.

[Yoon Kun-young / Democratic Party Lawmaker: "He is severely obese in the 140-kilogram range and at high risk for cardiovascular disease, but he performs physical movements without difficulty, such as running up stairs."]

Regarding Kim's daughter Ju-ae, the NIS stated that her standing as the designated successor is being strengthened, disclosing personal details for the first time, noting she is "160 centimeters tall and weighs over 50 kilograms."

The NIS also analyzed that while Ukraine had preemptively requested confidentiality regarding the repatriation of North Korean prisoners of war, it appears to have subsequently disclosed the matter in hopes of shifting South Korean public opinion on issues such as weapons support.

Camera by Lee Seung-hwan, Shin Dong-hwan | Video Editing by Nam Il
※ Please note: This article was translated by AI and may contain errors.