The mystery surrounding North Korean dictator Kim Jong Un's disappearance from the spotlight deepened today when he failed to show for a Workers' Party anniversary celebration. It was the first time in three years Kim hadn't attended the event in Pyongyang, which today marked the party's 69th anniversary. But while Kim wasn't there in person, a flower basket with his name on it was placed before statues of his father and grandfather, both of whom also ruled North Korea. Scroll down for video Kim Jong Un was absent from the Workers' Party 69th anniversary celebrations in Pyongyang today, but a flower basket baring his name was placed before statues of his father and grandfather, as were other baquets from North Koreans
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North Korea's Kim Jong Un has been keeping a low-profile since September
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And today missed the Workers' Party 69th anniversary celebrations
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Dictator was last seen in public attending a concert with his wife Ri Sol-ju
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Reports his 24-year-old sister Kim Yo-jong has taken leadership of affairs
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South Korea activists sent balloons with leaflets denouncing Pyongyang
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Shots fired across Demilitarized Zone which separates North and South
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Kim's border guards wanted to shoot down balloons to stop their messages
His absence comes as speculation mounts that his sister, Kim Yo-jong, 24, who is Deputy Director of the @placeholder, has taken over the leadership while her brother recovers from a leg injury.
@placeholder's military returned fire after hearing the sound of the North's machinegun fire, the official said.