As tensions escalate in the Middle East following military strikes involving the United States, Israel, and Iran, social media users around the world have turned North Korean leader Kim Jong Un into an unexpected meme star.

While the conflict currently centres on the US-Israel military campaign against Iran, many internet users have humorously portrayed Kim as an outsider quietly watching the global developments from the sidelines.

Across social media platforms, memes show Kim Jong Un appearing like a curious observer monitoring the situation. In several viral posts, he is depicted looking through binoculars or staring at a screen, with captions such as, “Are you monitoring the situation, son?”

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The jokes play on the contrast between Kim’s frequent missile demonstrations and the fact that North Korea is not directly involved in the current geopolitical crisis dominating international headlines.

Kim Jong Un turns into meme star online

Several memes circulating online suggest that the North Korean leader might be experiencing “FOMO”- fear of missing out, even though, as some users joked, he already has the “best toys for the war.”

One social media user wrote, “Kim Jung Un when he sees something like a missile across the sky but it turns out to be a shooting star.”

Another meme read, "Kim Jong UN waiting for missile to land in North Korea."

In yet another widely shared post, a picture of Kim with a military officer was accompanied by a humorous exchange,

"Sir, still no missiles headed our direction"

"Refresh it again"

The trend quickly spread online, with thousands of users sharing edited images and jokes imagining Kim watching the unfolding crisis from afar.

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The memes emerged even as serious developments continue to unfold in the Middle East. On February 28, the United States and Israel launched a large-scale military campaign called "Operation Epic Fury," targeting Iranian military facilities, nuclear infrastructure and leadership sites.

According to reports, strikes in Tehran confirmed the death of Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, along with several senior military and political figures.