PHOTOS of Kim Jong-un released 20 days after he mysteriously disappeared have sparked bizarre claims they really show one of the despot's doubles.
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.
It certainly 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.
It's long been reported paranoid Kim often travels with doubles in a bid to foil assassination attempts.
However, some believe this time a lookalike was used because the real Kim is really already DEAD.
Others believe it is the same Kim saying he only looks different because he has had plastic surgery.
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.
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