- Title: South Korean gym goer inspired by Kim Jong Un to work out more
- Date: 5th June 2018
- Summary: SEOUL, SOUTH KOREA (MAY 31, 2018) (REUTERS) BANNER SHOWING NORTH KOREAN LEADER KIM JONG UN/ SOUTH KOREAN GYM GOER CHO YOUNG-GUN STANDING CHO STANDING MIDDLE OF GYM (SOUNDBITE) (Korean) SOUTH KOREAN GYM GOER, CHO YOUNG-GUN, SAYING: "Kim Jong Un is a heavy person." VARIOUS OF CHO PUNCHING SANDBAG CHO RUNNING IN PLACE BANNER WITH PICTURE OF KIM JONG UN READING (Korean): "You'
- Embargoed: 19th June 2018 02:22
- Keywords: gym goer Kim Jong Un North Korea South Korea impression
- Location: SEOUL, SOUTH KOREA
- City: SEOUL, SOUTH KOREA
- Country: South Korea
- Topics: Conflicts/War/Peace
- Reuters ID: LVA0018J159HJ
- Aspect Ratio: 16:9
- Story Text: South Korean gym goer Cho Yong-gun says every time he sees North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, he feels motivated to work out more and to stay in shape.
Since the May 26, second inter-Korean summit between South Korean President Moon Jae-in and Kim, the North Korean leader's image has improved thanks to footage and photos of him smiling and even kissing Moon on the cheek three times. The show of affection captured in video footage released by the South Korean government, has gone viral domestically and internationally.
The soft Kim image has quickly become a marketing tool - and Cho's gym which utilizes the North Korean leader's plus-size figure for weight-loss and work out inspiration is one example.
But despite the marketing tactic, not everyone is convinced Kim is as nice as he appears to be -- including Cho.
"After the summit, his image became friendlier. He seems more humane compared to before, but I think we should not overlook what is hidden behind and we should not take the guard down," he says.
Moon told Kim during the May summit that Kim has "gained a lot of popularity in South Korea recently, and the expectation is also growing," to which Kim responded, "that is a relief." - Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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