October began with, arguably, the peak of speculation about North Korean leader Kim Jong Un’s prolonged absence, as well as about who was in charge in Pyongyang. There was even a surprise visit to South Korea by senior North Korean officials, resulting in talks with Seoul. Midway through the month, though, Kim reappeared, and, by the end of the month it was clear that Pyongyang was not going to follow through on a second round of talks with the South.

Kim made 11 total appearances in October. Six were to newly completed construction projects, four were military-related