Where is Kim Ju-ae? Succession question hangs over North Korea’s ruling congress

North Korea’s ruling party congress, convened only once every five years, opened in Pyongyang this weekend with supreme leader Kim Jong-un poised to formalise a military doctrine with far-reaching implications for security on the Korean peninsula and beyond.State media described the opening of the ninth congress of the Workers’ Party of Korea as unfolding “with splendour” in “the capital city of the revolution”, with 5,000 delegates and 2,000 observers in attendance.The carefully choreographed event, which by historical precedent will run for between four and eight days, is expected to map out national priorities through the end of this decade – spanning defence, inter-Korean relations, economic management and ideological direction.At the congress’ core is a dual-track military strategy Kim has been telegraphing for months. During a September inspection of weapons institutes, he announced plans to “simultaneously push forward the building of nuclear forces and conventional armed forces”.Kim Jong-un (centre) presides over the opening of the ninth congress of the Workers’ Party of Korea in Pyongyang, North Korea, on Friday. Photo: KCNA/ReutersIn January, standing at a large-calibre multiple rocket launcher test site, he declared he would unveil “the next step” in nuclear war deterrence at the congress itself.