North Korea celebrates – but where is Kim Jong-un?

North Korea’s ruling party has celebrated its 69th anniversary without Kim Jong-Un – marking more than a month since the country’s leader disappeared out of the public eye.

His unexplained absence has fed a cycle of speculation, but today’s absence marks a new milestone. North Korea has more than its fair share of political anniversaries, but the Korean Workers’ Party anniversary is one of the largest, and Kim would be expected to attend.

For the past two years, he has marked the occasion with a post-midnight visit – along with other top leaders – to the mausoleum in Pyongyang that houses the bodies of his father Kim Jong-Il and grandfather Kim Il-Sung.

It means Kim has not been seen since 3 September, nestled in a chair, smoking a cigarette, beside his wife, Ri Sol Ju. State media reported that he “laboured on,” while “braving” the hot summer weather, causing speculation that some mystery ailment had befallen the leader.

Picture: Kim Jong-il with retired NBA player Dennis Rodman. The pair have struck up an unlikely friendship and in March Kim invited Mr Rodman to North Korea for a friendly basketball match against the communist state

Theories at play

So what has happened? Competing theories range from a leadership coup to health issues that could include broken ankles, gout and diabetes. State television footage of President Kim in July showed the leader limping, while his weight has clearly risen since he assumed power in December 2011.

Intelligence reports from South Korea indicate Mr Kim is recuperating after a bout of ill-health at one of the regime’s palaces to the north of Pyongyang.

In the meantime it is thought that the leader’s younger sister, Kim Jong-sun, has been elevated to the post of deputy director of the Workers’ Party and is the closest confidante to a leader who faces constant political intrigues and jostling for power.

Picture: life in Pyongyang continues despite the rumours. It is widely believed that Kim’s younger sister, Kim Yo Jong, may be running the country while he recuperates from ill health

Understated announcements

So, putting aside the more outrageous rumours – such as death, the victim of a power coup or defection – ill health seems to be the most likely theory at this point.

Because Pyongyang is publicly acknowledging Kim’s “discomfort”, many analysts believe that he is unlikely to be suffering from anything particularly serious.

It is not the first time the North Korean leader has disappeared from public view. He was absent from TV broadcasts for 21 days in March 2012 and for a slightly longer period three months later.

When his father, Kim Jong Il, suffered major health problems late in his life, state media said nothing. Kim Jong Il was believed to have suffered a stroke in 2008, and his death on 17 Dec 2011 was not announced for two days.

But each day the younger Kim is absent only adds to speculation. And, as any dictatorship eager to hold power knows, holding power needs a strong leader that is frequently visible.