Kim has lost a lot of weight obviously, but that could be political in view to the country's situation as much as it may be health related," he said. "I think there has been a circus of hysteria in the media which has made serious analysis unhelpful. Tom Fowdy, North Korea and China Analysis at the Chollima Report told Newsweek that the international community tends to "think too deeply" into reports of Kim Jong Un's health, which are often based on hearsay or speculation. "If anything were to happen to KJU, it would be more likely that a high-level military figure loyal to the Kim family would take over in an official capacity while KYJ would play a more symbolic or ceremonial role. The only thing she has going for her is her bloodline, without which no woman would ever have such political influence in that country. "One, her gender is a problem in NK given the patriarchal nature of the society. She said it was unlikely Kim Yo Jong would become the next possible leader of the hermit kingdom for several reasons. "This way, the comments don't fall directly on him and he can always backtrack through later statements to reopen the door for some form of diplomacy or talks," Bernal said. She added that Kim Jong Un is likely simply using his sister as a mouthpiece to express any anger and threats aimed at South Korea and the United States. Kim Jong Un is still very much the one calling the shots, as far as we know," Gabiela Bernal, a Korean Affairs Analyst based in Seoul, told Newsweek. "Even though Kim Yo Jong does often make statements on behalf of the North Korean government, this does not mean she is the one in control. There have also been numerous reports that are questioning her brother's health, after he lost a lot of weight earlier this year. In a statement on Tuesday, Kim Yo Jong denounced South Korean defense officials as "treacherous" for taking part in a "dangerous" joint military exercise with the United States. Kim Yo Jong is increasingly looking like the senior North Korean official making public statements directed at the international community. Despite her perceived increasing influence, Kim Yo Jong is not destined to succeed her brother as North Korea’s leader, experts tell Newsweek.ĭespite Kim Yo Jong's seemingly increasing influence and rumours of Kim Jong Un's ill health, the sister of the North Korean leader is not destined to succeed him, experts tell Newsweek. Kim Yo-Jong (R), sister of North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, talks with Chung Eui-yong (L), South Korea's top national security advisor, during a meeting to deliver a condolence message and flowers on her brother's behalf for former first lady Lee He-ho's funeral at border village of Panmunjom between South and North Korea on Jin Panmunjom, South Korea. © South Korean Ministry of Unification/Getty