16 Facts About Kenji Fujimoto

Kenji Fujimoto is a Japanese chef who was the personal sushi chef of former North Korean leader Kim Jong Il from 1988 to 2001.

However, Kenji Fujimoto correctly predicted that Kim Jong Un would be appointed as his father's successor as Supreme Leader instead of Kim Jong-nam or Kim Jong-chul, which was contrary to the prevailing consensus of experts on North Korean politics.

Kenji Fujimoto confirmed a widely believed rumour that Kim had a serious fall from his horse in 1992, breaking his collar bone and lying unconscious for several hours.

Kenji Fujimoto said there is an institute based in Pyongyang staffed by 200 individuals devoted entirely to Kim Jong Il's diet, ensuring he eats the best and most healthy foods.

Kenji Fujimoto spoke of "Kim's Pleasure Squad": young women chosen to dance for, sing for and bathe Kim, who would be instructed to undress but not allowed to be touched by other guests, saying it amounted to "theft".

Kenji Fujimoto said that Kim liked disco music, and preferred watching others dance, rather than dancing himself.

Kenji Fujimoto said he himself later married one of the women at a drunken wedding, where he passed out on cognac and woke to find his pubic hair shaved.

Kenji Fujimoto has described Kim Jong Il as having a "violent temper".

Kenji Fujimoto was told not to make the photo public; however, in February 2009, he released the photo.

Kenji Fujimoto was reported to have asked Fujimoto in 1989 what he thought about nuclear weapons.

Kenji Fujimoto has stated that he thought about leaving for Japan on several occasions while in North Korea.

Kenji Fujimoto appeared on Japanese television with his face obscured as a "Kim Jong-il expert".

In June 2012, Kenji Fujimoto received an invitation from North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, and on July 21,2012, flew to Pyongyang via Beijing.

In June 2019, media reports suggested Kenji Fujimoto had been arrested.

Kenji Fujimoto has written three books: Kim's Chef, Kim's Private Life and The Honorable General Who Loved Nuclear Weapons and Girls.

Kenji Fujimoto's 2003 memoir I was Kim Jong-il's Cook was a best-seller in Japan.