Kim Jong Un in China
Credit: Reuters photo, X/@runews
If leaving a mark on the world is what every human being aims for, then North Korea's Kim Jong Un is certainly falling short. His clandestine behaviour at public events has prompted others to raise eyebrows.
Recently, the North Korean leader paid a visit to his ally and friend in the East, Xi Jinping. And while many were eager to see what these two leaders—along with Russia President Vladimir Putin— might agree upon, it was Kim Jong Un's secretive behaviour which became the biggest takeaway of the meet.
Recently a video has surfaced which highlighted the North Korean leader's eccentricities. Following his meeting with Putin, as Kim Jong Un stepped out of the room, without wasting a beat, his aide, entered the room and began furiously wiping every object Kim Jong Un happened to touch—including the backrest and arms of his chair. One of the aides even whisked away his glass.
Kremlin reporter Alexander Yunashev took to Telegram and wrote, "After the negotiations were over, the staff accompanying the head of the DPRK carefully destroyed all traces of Kim's presence."
According to Reuters, such ultra-protective measures have been going on since his father's tenure. The report also mentioned that Kim Jong Un takes many lavatorial precautions including packing his own toilet out of fear that some foreign agent may rifle through his excreta and in turn possess knowledge regarding his health.
However, he isn't the only one who follows such practices. Putin himself is quite paranoid regarding his biological footprint. According to reports, Putin travels with bodyguards who collect his urine and faeces in sealed containers—which are later flown back home. This is done in order to prevent both friends and foe from gaining information regarding his health.