North Korean leader Kim Jong Un appears to have skipped another photo opportunity with attendees at a key event, raising questions over possible new COVID-19 precautions or personal health issues, or if the move is part of more changes to traditional party optics.

Before last month, Kim had never missed a group photo with attendees at major party congresses. That changed when he failed to appear for a photo at the General Federation of Trade Unions congress in late May amid an extended public absence.

Now, five days have passed since a Pyongyang rally closed