The number of visits carried out by Kim Jong-un plummeted by nearly 30 per cent compared with 2016, with the largest proportion of this year’s appearances dedicated to weapons and military inspections.
The fall in his public profile follows reports he is unwell, with the despot’s weight fluctuating wildly in recent months and some of his appearances being characterised by his sweaty and uneasy appearance.
On a visit to a shoe factory Kim, branded “little rocket man” by President Donald Trump, appeared off balance and his face was covered in sweat.
He was forced to take a seat on a folding chair in another visit which saw him struggling again.
South Korean politician Lee Cheol-woo said: “He keeps a close tab on any potential threats to his power, including the military, and he is obsessed with ensuring his personal safety.
“Because of his habitual binge eating and drinking, he is likely to develop adult lifestyle diseases.”
It has been claimed he is suffering from gout, diabetes, heart disease and hypertension, with potentially fatal results.
The lavish lifestyle of a dictator has been blamed for his ill health with Kim gorging himself on luxurious food while his people starve.
He is known to have an appetite for expensive cheese, beer and fish which are specially imported into the prison state for him.
Tours of weapons facilities and other military visits made up 44 per cent of Kim’s outings.
Visits relating to the economy tumbled as preparations for war stole focus and sanctions began to hurt business with not a single appearance in August related to the nation’s flagging trade.
The total number of visits also dropped with just 93 made from January 1 to December 28 compared with 133 in the same period last year.
News of Kim’s dwindling public visits follows revelations that he is under pressure to jump-start North Korea’s economy despite tough sanctions from the UN.
Speaking of Kim Jong-un, senior analyst at the US-based CNA Corp Ken Gause said: “He can claim victory in 2017 because of the progress on the nuclear deterrent.
“He will have to begin to show progress on the economy in order to nail down his bona fides as a strong leader.
“Unlike his father and grandfather, Kim Jong-un’s legitimacy is tied closely to policy success.”