North Korean officials are pleading with their counterparts in China to stop calling North Korean President Kim Jong-un fat, according to The Sun newspaper in the U.K.

The dictator has gained more than 80 pounds in recent years, prompting such derogatory nicknames in Chinese media as Jin San Pang, meaning "Kim Fatty III," Jin Pang Pang ("Kim Fat Fatty") and Jin San Fei ("Kim Abundant III.")

The Sun quotes Hong Kong's Apple Daily as saying North Korean government officials are asking their closest ally to knock it off over fears Kim will look for someone to blame. Kim's anger reportedly has led to death sentences among his top officials.

The Sun earlier reported that North Korean scientists were developing a drug that could reduce weight without diet or exercise.

And it isn't the first time North Korea has demanded their leader not be mocked. In 2014, North Korean diplomats demanded a London barber remove a poster from his window that featured a picture of Kim's odd coiffure with the slogan "Having a bad hair day?"

British officials told the North Koreans citizens in free countries are free to insult their own or foreign leaders.

The hacking of Sony Pictures was blamed on North Korea's anger over the comedy film "The Interview" which depicted Kim being assassinated by characters played by Seth Rogen and James Franco.