The disappearance from public view of Kim Jong Un, supreme leader of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea, became even more worrisome to observers Friday when he failed to attend the ruling Workers Party celebration of North Korea's 69th year as a country.

Kim hadn't missed one of those since 2011 shortly before coming to power as leader of the most isolated nation on Earth.

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State-run media disclosed the names of every senior military, party and government leader at the annual gathering. Kim was nowhere to be found and hasn 't been seen in public in more than a month.

South Korea Unification Ministry officials Friday said they believed Kim remained in charge of the country. They said the surprise North Korean delegation to Incheon last weekend conveyed greetings from Kim. They also noted North Korea state-run media continued to talk about Kim's leadership. 

Rumors about what has happened to Kim along with who actually is in charge of the country have run rampant since September 3. That was when he was last seen in public as he attended a Pyongyang concert along with his wife, Ri Sol Ju. North Korea media said he braved the heat and "labored on" setting off speculation he was health-challenged.

Speculation this week also centered on the possibility of a coup or some kind of detention for Kim. Some suggested that his younger sister, Kim Yo Jong, temporarily was signing official orders and running the country in his official absence. 

Seen limping noticeably during appearances leading up to September 3, Kim was said to be either suffering from gout or recovering from surgery to repair fractured ankles.

The situation looked even murkier when the top three North Korean leaders under Kim showed up unexpectedly at the final day of the Asian Games in Incheon, South Korea and sat down to lunch with top South Korean officials.

The North Koreans asked for high level talks with the South to begin at the end of this month. They also reached out to the West for talks about human rights issues.

Some speculated about the worst for Kim following the surprising visit. Others said it might be part of a new North Korean charm offensive seeking to expand foreign relations due to recent fallings out with China over nuclear weapons and economic issues.

Hwang Pyong So, the top North Korean military leader considered second-in-command to Kim, led the Incheon delegation. Asked by Ryoo Kil Jae, South Korea Unification Minister, about Kim's health, Hwang said there was nothing wrong with him.

Technically still at war even though direct hostilities ended in 1953, North and South Korea have experienced particularly rocky relations during the last few years. However, relations seemed to be thawing the last few months, analysts said.

TagsNorth Korea, Workers Party Meeting, Kim Yo Jong, Hwang Pyong So, Asian Games Read more: http://www.chinatopix.com/articles/15471/20141010/will-kim-jong-un-show-up-at-friday-workers-party-meeting-and-is-sister-kim-yo-jong-actually-in-charge.htm#ixzz3FiVqzLv7