Kim Jong Un’s absence from North Korean celebration sparks health speculation

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un was absent during a celebration marking the anniversary of the birthday of his grandfather, the nation’s founder, Kim Il Sung — sparking questions about the despot’s health, according to reports.

During the national holiday known as the Day of the Sun on Wednesday, senior officials paid tribute to the former leader’s embalmed body in the Kumsusan Palace of Sun, according to state media KCNA.

But uncharacteristically, they did not mention Kim Jong Un as part of the delegation — and he also was absent from photos released by party newspaper Rodong Sinmun, Reuters reported.

His apparent no-show triggered speculation among experts that the diminutive Kim, who is 36 and overweight, might be having health problems.

A spokeswoman at Seoul’s Unification Ministry, which handles the rogue regime’s affairs, said Thursday it was aware that state media had not reported on Kim’s visit but declined to provide details.

“It is possible that there was a problem with his health or safety even if temporary, though it is difficult to assess how the situation might be,” Cheong Seong-chang, a senior fellow at South Korea’s Sejong Institute, told Reuters.

“He has been going there on the birthdays of his grandfather and father to flaunt his royalty to them and sacred bloodline,” Cheong added.

Duyeon Kim, a senior adviser for the International Crisis Group on Northeast Asia and nuclear policy, told CNN that it was “unprecedented for him to skip paying his respects.”

“Ever since he took power, he always showed up for these most important days for North Korea. It’s so far unclear if he paid tribute by himself before the others,” she said.

Kim was last publicly seen on Saturday, when he presided over a meeting of the ruling Workers’ Party’s politburo.