This image, published by the Korean Central News Agency on Jan. 2, shows North Korean officials paying respects at the Kumsusan Palace of the Sun in Pyongyang, which enshrines the bodies of the state founder and his grandfather, Kim Il-sung, and his father, Kim Jong-il. Yonhap

North Korean leader Kim Jong-un appears to have skipped his annual New Year's visit to the mausoleum of his late grandfather and father for the second consecutive year, according to state media on Thursday.

The Korean Central News Agency (KCNA), the country's state media, reported that government and party cadres and military commanders visited the Kumsusan Palace of the Sun the previous day, but Kim was not among those listed.

The participants pledged their unwavering determination to advance the country's prosperity under the guidance of Kim Jong-un, the KCNA said.

The Kumsusan Palace of the Sun in Pyongyang enshrines the bodies of the state founder and his grandfather, Kim Il-sung, and his father, Kim Jong-il.

Since assuming power in late 2011, the incumbent leader had visited the mausoleum on the first day of every year, except in 2018 and last year.

Kim has also appeared to significantly reduce the frequency of his visits to the mausoleum in recent years, having previously visited on key anniversaries, such as those of the birthdays and death of his father and grandfather, as well as the anniversary of the party's establishment.

Since 2022, there have been no North Korean reports of him visiting the mausoleum for Kim Jong-il's birthday on Feb. 16 or Kim Il-sung's birthday on April 15.

An official at the unification ministry said that Kim has shown an irregular pattern of visiting or sometimes skipping visits to the mausoleum on those occasions since 2022, as he has sought to solidify his independent authority.

"In the past, (Kim) had an inevitable tendency to rely absolutely on his ancestor leaders in the early phase of his rule, but after 10 years, he has appeared to be seeking to establish his standalone status," the official said. (Yonhap)