Discovering the Methods and Reasons Behind the Vanishing Evidence of Kim Jong Un Following His Meeting with Putin
North Korean supreme leader Kim Jong Un has been known for his meticulous efforts to maintain privacy, particularly regarding his health. This has been evident in various instances during his meetings with world leaders, as reported by several news outlets.
According to Japan's Nikkei newspaper, Kim Jong Un has been using a signature green train for his trips to hide health clues. This was observed during his trip to Beijing and his meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin. The North Korean staff was seen wiping off items touched by Kim Jong Un, presumably as a security measure against foreign spies.
In 2019, after a summit with U.S. President Donald Trump, Kim's guards cleaned Kim's hotel room for hours, taking out items including a bed mattress. After the negotiations, North Korean staff destroyed all traces of Kim's presence in the room. Similar practices were observed during Kim's meeting with South Korean President Moon Jae-in in 2018, where North Korean security guards sanitized a chair and desk before Kim sat.
Footage from Kim's meeting with Putin in Beijing in 2023 shows North Korean staff meticulously cleaning the room, including the chair's backrest and armrests, a coffee table, and Kim's drinking glass. Before the summit, Kim's security team wiped his chair down with disinfectant and checked it thoroughly, using a metal detector to scan the seat.
These cleaning measures are not new and have been standard protocol since the era of Kim's predecessor, Kim Jong Il. Michael Madden, a North Korea leadership expert, stated that the special toilet and garbage bags used during these cleanings are to prevent foreign intelligence agencies from acquiring samples that could reveal Kim Jong Un's medical conditions.
Kim's team has been observed meticulously cleaning items before he uses them, indicating a focus on maintaining control over his biometric data. This includes potential collection of hair and skin tags. The North Korean staff was also seen wiping off items touched by Kim Jong Un during his meeting with Putin, further emphasising this practice.
These practices suggest a heightened awareness of privacy and security, reflecting Kim Jong Un's efforts to maintain control over his image and personal information. As the world continues to watch North Korea's political landscape, these cleaning measures offer a unique insight into the North Korean leader's approach to privacy and secrecy.
