Anniversary no-show fuels speculation over health of North Korean leader

Speculation about the health of North Korean leader Kim Jong Un mounted after his name was missing from a list of dignitaries celebrating the founding of the ruling Workers’ Party.

His apparent no-show at the event will add to rumours that something is amiss with the authoritarian leader, who has not been seen publicly for more than a month. An official state media dispatch listed senior government, military and party officials who paid their respects at an event marking the party’s 69th anniversary — but not Kim.

It said a flower basket with Kim’s name on it was placed before statues of his father and grandfather, both of whom also ruled North Korea. State media said earlier that the might of the party “is growing stronger under the seasoned guidance of Marshal Kim Jong Un”.