Claims Kim Jong-un is using body double after making first public appearance since death rumours
PHOTOS of Kim Jong-un released 20 days after he mysteriously disappeared have sparked bizarre rumours the despot used a body double in his place.
Some of the meatier theories speculate the double could be standing in due to the leader's poor health, or even death - while others questioned if his absence was really a period of recovery following plastic surgery.
State-run media released images and video apparently showing the 36-year-old at a fertiliser factory - amid escalating reports he was either dead or fighting for his life.
Now eagle-eyed web sleuths believe it was really a lookalike on the photos and they point to changes in his face, hair and teeth compared to previous appearances.
But there are suggestions some of the photos have in fact been doctored.
Others suggested the dictator's mysterious 20-day disappearance was down to plastic surgery.
Slueths pointed to slight differences in Kim Jong-un's nose, wrinkles, teeth, cupid's bow, hairline and ears.
In the most recent snaps, it's suggested his nose is a little rounder and his cupid's bow more pronounced.
One reportedly doctored photo doing the rounds shows Kim's teeth looking much straighter, and several shades less white than in previous pics.
But others pointed out straighter teeth can easily be achieved with dental work, and the chain-smoker is bound to succumb to stains on his pearly whites from time-to-time.
Some seized upon his hairline, which appears to be wider in recent pics - but questioned if this could just be the result of a skilled barber.
There's also a suggestion his ears, once with earlobes that appeared to be clearly attached to his head, forming a smooth curve, have changed.
Newer snaps appear to show the leader with much chunkier, hanging lobes.
But the rumours were fueled by the fact it wouldn't be the first time Kim has been accused of using a stand-in for public events in North Korea.
In 2017, the Sun Online revealed images of the dictator chatting with his body doubles at a missile test.
He was filmed with two of his lookalikes - dressed identically in his trademark black suit and Cuban heels.
And, to add to the mystery, the claims come as the North Korean leader missed yet another high-profile event.
He was noticeably absent as Russia awarded him a medal to mark the 75th anniversary of the victory over Nazi Germany.
Human rights activist Jennifer Zeng was the first to draw attention to differences in the "new Kim", reports IBT.
“Is the Kim Jong-un appearing on May 1 the real one?” she asked on Twitter along with side-by-side comparisons of Kim’s “old and new” appearances in two posts.
Another user pointed out that Kim looked "slightly different" during his recent appearance.
"My theory is either that he died and was replaced by a clone/lookalike, or was out of the public eye for so long bc he was recovering from plastic surgery," tweeted another
"His nose seems a little bit more rounded, his hairline looks wider, and he used to have WAY more wrinkles around the eyes when he smiled," the poster added.
"The hairline may just be receding or a fresh new haircut, but the smoother eyes and slightly different nose have me questioning things.";
The North Korean despot suddenly reappeared at a fertiliser factory on Friday after vanishing for nearly three weeks sparking claims he had died or was in a coma after a botched op.
He appeared alongside his sister Kim Yo-jong, who had been tipped to succeed him, at the fertiliser plant, the pictures claim to show.
Concern over his health began when he failed to appear at an important celebration on April 15, to mark the birthday of Kim Il-sung, his grandfather and the founder of the country.
Continuing the rumours, a Chinese journalist Shijian Xingzou said a “very solid source” told her the North Korean leader had died.