Jo Yong Won, one of Kim Jong Un’s closest aides, reappeared in state media on Sunday after two months out of public view, an extended absence that spurred speculation about his possible demotion or punishment for corruption.

But Jo’s comeback at a product exhibition in Pyongyang provided relatively few clues as to why he went missing in the first place, with experts disagreeing on whether his disappearance was for political reeducation or had nothing to do with behind-the-scenes power struggles.

The state-run Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) reportedon Sunday that an exhibition of products from newly built regional-industry factories