While North Korea watchers ponder the whereabouts of Kim Jong Un’s former right-hand man, speculation has emerged that he, and Jang Song Thaek, may have been alienated from the young leader in late November to legitimize the so-called “lineage of Paektu.”

Looking back, a transitory event may have taken place on November 30 – in the absence of both Choe Ryong Hae and Jang.

On that day, North Korean leader Kim Jong Un traveled to Samjiyon lake on Mount Paektu, bordering China, with eight aides who have apparently become his new core group of close confidants.