KIM Jong-un is "sparing no effort or expense" to get his hands on weight-loss drugs after piling the pounds back on, insiders have revealed.

It comes as sources told how the North Korean tyrant's obesity-related health problems has forced a shift in his role as Supreme Leader.

Kim, pictured on July 12, appears to have piled the pounds back onCredit: AFPKim notably lost a lot of weight in 2021Credit: EPAKim and daughter Ju-ae, both centre, visiting the Wonsan Kalma coastal tourist area on June 24Credit: AFP

Wary Kim has now ordered his close confidants to find new medicines abroad to help him trim back, such as Ozempic or a similar drug.

Insiders say fridge-raider Kim - who is known to have a legendary appetite - will likely bulk-buy a weight-loss drug before testing it on citizens with a similar figure.

One senior North Korea observer said: "If the past is any guide, it is probable that they'd make a bulk purchase.  

"Because it's a new drug and a new drug to Kim, they might select North Korean citizens with a similar body type and medical history as Kim so they try the drug first for any side effects.

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"Kim's father, Kim Jong Il, once had some of his aides injected with opiates.

"That way, if he became dependent or addicted, they'd all have to detox together."

Plump Kim, who stands at just 5ft 6ins, tipped the scales at a whopping 22 stone at his largest before shedding the pounds.

Eye-opening images revealed a drastic weight loss in 2021 - but the Supreme Leader has again ballooned to up to over 20 stone.

Kim's health has long raised eyebrows - and his love for cigarettes, drinking and imported cheese is a far cry from a healthy diet.

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He is suspected to suffer from high blood pressure and diabetes, as well as gout - joint pain linked to a rich diet.

Both Kim's father and grandfather died from heart issues, making the dictator likely fearful of the same fate.

Michael Madden, founder of NK Leadership Watch, told The Sun: "When we see him in state media reporting, he is often sitting down.

"He doesn't walk any great distances, and he uses the car more often to travel short distances at public engagements.

"This also raises the question - what has caused the weight gain?

"Is it a combination of compulsive stress eating, a sedentary lifestyle and lack of physical activity? Is it a side effect of medication?

"If Kim is on medications, do they treat a chronic medical condition that might result in weight gain or metabolism issues?

"Then again, do Kim's doctors tell him the truth about his health or conceal a more serious problem?"

South Korean spies this month claimed Kim is on the hunt for new weight-loss medicines such as Ozempic from Western countries.

And his inner circle will be doing everything they can to get their hands on what their Dear Leader demands.

Kim shakes hands with Russian culture minister Olga Lyubimova on June 29Credit: EPAKim pictured on February 8, 2021, left, and June 15, 2021, rightCredit: AP

Mr Madden added: "When it comes to the leader's medical treatments, the regime spares no effort or expense to import the best available medicine, medical devices etc, from foreign countries, usually from Central Europe.  

"If things get pretty dire, the North Koreans will retain foreign physicians and other specialists.  

"The way this happens is through the Personal Secretariat, which is Kim's executive office as leader and runs his households and domestic life.  

"The Personal Secretariat has what they call a 'network of correspondents'.

"These are elite North Koreans working either in small work teams or as individuals at North Korean embassies or other foreign missions.

"They perform a number of discreet tasks on behalf of Kim and some core elites - collecting or interpreting information, making purchases, conducting off the record interactions."

Top insiders noted "significant process changes in the regime" as Kim's daughter Ju-ae takes on an "expanding" role - while the dumpy despot takes more of a backseat at events.

Kim has yet to anoint an official successor - though his daughter, believed to be 12 or 13, is touted as a strong possibility.

When it comes to the leader's medical treatments, the regime spares no effort or expense to import the best available medicine, medical devices etc, from foreign countries, usually from Central Europe

Michael Madden

One source said: "Restrictions on or disappearing of senior officials from public events is a sign of political transition or regime collapse; in North Korea, it's the former. 

"The biggest things here are his inaccessibility at public events and the evolving public presence of Ju-ae.

"Kim used to be fairly easy to interact with at public events, now they hang back and don't engage as freely as before.

"Ju-ae's role and profile have expanded. In the last month, she has started wearing new, more mature clothing. She's starting to resemble her mum.

"Ju-ae is also interacting with foreign and DPRK leadership figures more readily."

Rumours have also swirled Kim's Gucci-loving daughter Ju-ae is on route to one day take the reins after she was seen accompanying her father at several missile launches.

She is regularly presented in carefully controlled state media as his "beloved" and "precious" child - fuelling rumours about her role in the regime in the future.

Kim's iron-fist sister Kim Yo-jong, wife Ri Sol ju, brother Kim Jong-chul, his top generals - premier Kim Tok-hun, general Choe Ryong-hae and marshal Pak Jong-chon could also be in the running.

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A source added: "We are definitely seeing the outliers for succession.

"The 10th Party Congress in 2031 will likely be Ju-ae's major debut as a North Korean elite."

Kim and his daughter inspect an air force demonstration on November 30, 2023Credit: AP