The 31-year-old's walk was somewhere between a limp and a waddle. The speculation was feverish: Kim Jong-un was ill, he was addicted to Swiss cheese, he had gout, he had disappeared – was he still alive?

The question still remains – Kim has not been seen in public for a month – but yesterday, among the many sober suits at the Asian Games in Incheon, South Korea, appeared a Vice Marshal of the Korean People's Army, the North's second most powerful person. Wearing an olive uniform, Hwang Pyong-so had arrived.

In a flurry of diplomacy from the normally undiplomatic Pyonyang, Hwang's delegation also included another senior aide to Kim, Choe Ryong-hae, and Kim Yang-gon, a senior official of the ruling Workers' Party and a long-time veteran of dealings with the South.

That Kim is a sports enthusiast – he is understood to enjoy basketball and football – is well documented, but the real purpose of the delegation's visit soon became clearer. The North has agreed to resume talks, stalled since February, between senior officials either later this month or in November, according to officials from South Korea.

One analyst called it a "golden opportunity" for South Korean President Park Geun-hye to test North Korea's willingness, at the highest levels, to improve shaky ties. The past 12 months had seen a steady stream of insults traded between the divided neighbours and an unusual number of North Korean missile and rocket tests.

North Korea: Inside the Hermit Kingdom Show all 110 1 /110 North Korea: Inside the Hermit Kingdom North Korea: Inside the Hermit Kingdom North Korea This picture taken from North Korean paper Rodong Sinmun on 14 October 2014 shows North Korean leader Kim Jong-Un during an inspection tour of a newly-built housing complex in Pyongyang. North Korea's leader Kim Jong-Un has finally resurfaced with the help of a walking stick after an unexplained and prolonged absence that fuelled rampant speculation about his health and even rumours of a coup in the nuclear-armed state North Korea: Inside the Hermit Kingdom North Korea Kim at the newly-built housing complex in Pyongyang AFP/Getty Images North Korea: Inside the Hermit Kingdom North Korea Kim Jong-Un during an inspection tour of a newly-built housing complex in Pyongyang North Korea: Inside the Hermit Kingdom North Korea Kim Jong-un visits the Wisong Scientists Residential District in Pyongyang in pictures released by Rodong Sinmun, the newspaper of the ruling Workers Party EPA North Korea: Inside the Hermit Kingdom North Korea Kim at the Wisong Scientists Residential District EPA North Korea: Inside the Hermit Kingdom North Korea Kim Jong-Un inspects a tactical rocket firing drill by the Korean People's Army Strategic Force North Korea: Inside the Hermit Kingdom North Korea Launching of a tactical rocket during a firing drill by the Korean People's Army Strategic Force North Korea: Inside the Hermit Kingdom North Korea Kim Jong-un talks to military officials during a tactical rocket firing drill of the North's Strategic Force North Korea: Inside the Hermit Kingdom North Korea Kim Jong-Un poses with soldiers after he inspected a tactical rocket firing drill by the Korean People's Army Strategic Force North Korea: Inside the Hermit Kingdom North Korea Kim Jong-un along the North Korean soldiers North Korea: Inside the Hermit Kingdom North Korea Kim Jong-Un inspects the Hwa Islet defence detachment off the east coast of North Korea North Korea: Inside the Hermit Kingdom North Korea Kim Jong-un speaks to navy commanders ahead of a swimming drill in North Korea North Korea: Inside the Hermit Kingdom North Korea Kim Jong Un gives field guidance to the remodelling site of the May Day Stadium in Pyongyang North Korea: Inside the Hermit Kingdom North Korea Kim Jong-un visits the remodeling site of the May Day Stadium in Pyongyang North Korea: Inside the Hermit Kingdom North Korea Kim Jong Un gives advise at the construction site of the Wisong Scientists Street in Pyongyang North Korea: Inside the Hermit Kingdom North Korea A view of the Wisong Scientists Street under construction in Pyongyang. North Korean newspaper said that Kim was greatly pleased about the eye-opening speed of construction, which he referred to as "Korea-speed," that has been created through a mass competition in all areas of the construction site North Korea: Inside the Hermit Kingdom North Korea The North Korean paper confirmed that Kim Jong-un called for the North Korean Navy Unit 167 soldiers to devote their wisdom and enthusiasm to rounding off the combat preparations North Korea: Inside the Hermit Kingdom North Korea Kim Jong-un aboard a submarine as he is visiting the North Korean Navy Unit 167 stationed on the east coast of North Korea North Korea: Inside the Hermit Kingdom North Korea Kim Jong-Un inspects the submarine No. 748 of Korean People's Army (KPA) naval unit 167 led 7th regiment North Korea: Inside the Hermit Kingdom North Korea Kim Jong-un inside a submarine as he visits the North Korean Navy Unit 167 stationed on the east coast of North Korea North Korea: Inside the Hermit Kingdom North Korea Kim Jong-Un inspects the submarine No. 748 of Korean People's Army (KPA) naval unit 167 led 7th regiment North Korea: Inside the Hermit Kingdom North Korea Kim Jong Un gives field guidance during his inspection of the Korean People's Army (KPA) Naval Unit 167 North Korea: Inside the Hermit Kingdom North Korea Kim Jong Un gives field guidance during his inspection of the Korean People's Army (KPA) Naval Unit 167 North Korea: Inside the Hermit Kingdom North Korea Kim Jong-Un (C) poses with seamen as he inspects Korean People's Army (KPA) naval unit 167 led 7th regiment North Korea: Inside the Hermit Kingdom North Korea Kim Jong-Un advises the Korean People's Army (KPA) Unit 863 led 7th regiment North Korea: Inside the Hermit Kingdom North Korea Kim Jong-Un talks with people from the Korean People's Army (KPA) Unit 863 led 7th regiment North Korea: Inside the Hermit Kingdom North Korea Kim Jong-Un inspects the Ryo islet defence detachment standing guard over a forward post off the east coast of North Korea North Korea: Inside the Hermit Kingdom North Korea Kim Jong-Un talks with people as he inspects the Ryo islet defence detachment standing guard over a forward post off the east coast of North Korea North Korea: Inside the Hermit Kingdom North Korea Kim Jong-Un gestures as he inspects the Ryo islet defence detachment standing guard over a forward post off the east coast of North Korea North Korea: Inside the Hermit Kingdom North Korea Kim Jong-Un poses with soldiers for photo as he inspects the Ryo islet defence detachment standing guard over a forward post off the east coast of North Korea North Korea: Inside the Hermit Kingdom North Korea Kim Jong Un gives field guidance to the Hydro-meteorological Service in Pyongyang North Korea: Inside the Hermit Kingdom North Korea North Korean leader Kim Jong-un visiting the Hydro-meteorological Service in Pyongyang EPA North Korea: Inside the Hermit Kingdom North Korea Kim Jong-un visiting the Jangchon Vegetable Co-op Farm in Sadong District, Pyongyang. Kim said that the farm turned into a vegetable production base for the citizens of the capital city under the wise guidance of former leaders Kim Il-sung and Kim Jong-il North Korea: Inside the Hermit Kingdom North Korea Kim Jong Un gives field guidance to the Jangchon Vegetable Co-op Farm in the Sadong District of Pyongyang North Korea: Inside the Hermit Kingdom North Korea Kim Jong Un visits Mangyongdae Revolutionary School on the occasion of the 68th anniversary of the founding of the Korean Children's Union (KCU) North Korea: Inside the Hermit Kingdom North Korea Kim Jong Un visits Mangyongdae Revolutionary School on the occasion of the 68th anniversary of the founding of the Korean Children's Union (KCU) North Korea: Inside the Hermit Kingdom North Korea A young girl shoots an arrow at a picture of President Barack Obama during an event to mark International Children's Day at Pyongyang September 15 Nursery in Pyongyang North Korea: Inside the Hermit Kingdom North Korea Children sit with a picture of South Korean President Park Geun-hye and President Barack Obama while participating in a game during an event to mark International Children's Day at Pyongyang September 15 Nursery in Pyongyang North Korea: Inside the Hermit Kingdom North Korea Children participate in a game during an event to mark International Children's Day at Pyongyang September 15 Nursery in Pyongyang North Korea: Inside the Hermit Kingdom North Korea Children carrying balls run in a game during an International Children's Day event at Pyongyang September 15 Nursery in Pyongyang North Korea: Inside the Hermit Kingdom North Korea Boys run with stuffed bears on their backs during game on the occasion of International Children's Day at Pyongyang September 15 Nursery in Pyongyang North Korea: Inside the Hermit Kingdom North Korea Kim Jong Un smiles as children eat during his visit to the Pyongyang Orphanage on International Children's Day North Korea: Inside the Hermit Kingdom North Korea Kim Jong Un smiles as he watches a child play during his visit to the Pyongyang Orphanage on International Children's Day North Korea: Inside the Hermit Kingdom North Korea Kim Jong-un visits Pyongyang's Ssuk Island as he unveiled a plan to build a science and technology hall on the island during the visit North Korea: Inside the Hermit Kingdom North Korea Kim Jong-un touring a construction site for a rest center for scientists North Korea: Inside the Hermit Kingdom North Korea Kim Jong Un visits the construction site of apartment buildings for faculty members of Kim Chaek University of Technology in Pyongyang North Korea: Inside the Hermit Kingdom North Korea Kim Jong-un touring a liquor factory in North Pyongan Province North Korea: Inside the Hermit Kingdom North Korea Kim Jong-Un inspects the machine plant managed by Ho Chol Yong North Korea: Inside the Hermit Kingdom North Korea Kim Jong-un along with his wife Ri Sol-ju (3-R) touring a hospital specialized in the treatment of soldiers in North Korea North Korea: Inside the Hermit Kingdom North Korea Kim Jong-Un inspects the machine plant managed by Ho Chol Yong North Korea: Inside the Hermit Kingdom North Korea Kim Jong Un poses for a picture with senior military staff and other participants of the first meeting of the airpersons of the Korean People's Army (KPA) in Pyongyang North Korea: Inside the Hermit Kingdom North Korea Kim Jong-un learns to fly an airplane at the North Korean Air Force unit 447 North Korea: Inside the Hermit Kingdom North Korea Kim Jong-un watches a football match North Korea: Inside the Hermit Kingdom North Korea Kim Jong-un shares a joke with members of a long-range artillery unit at an undisclosed location in North Korea. Mr Kim carried out a series of visits to military installations and chaired a meeting of senior figures in the armed forces, state media said, amid global unease over a possible nuclear test. AFP North Korea: Inside the Hermit Kingdom North Korea North Korean leader Kim Jong Un and his wife Ri Sol Ju watch a performance by the Moranbong Band at the April 25 House of Culture in Pyongyang North Korea: Inside the Hermit Kingdom North Korea Kim Jong-un and former basketball star Dennis Rodman watch the friendly match between North Korea and an aging NBA 'All-stars' team Reuters North Korea: Inside the Hermit Kingdom North Korea Kim Jong-un inspecting an aquarium as he visits the Songdowon International Children's Camp in Kangwon province AFP North Korea: Inside the Hermit Kingdom North Korea Kim Jong-un inspecting the newly built athletic field as he visits the Songdowon International Children's Camp AFP North Korea: Inside the Hermit Kingdom North Korea Kim Jong-un smiling broadly along with other officials during his visit to a youth camping site in Wonsan on the southeastern coast in North Korea EPA North Korea: Inside the Hermit Kingdom North Korea North Korean leader Kim Jong-un visits the Songdowon International Children's Camp, as its remodelling project nears completion Reuters North Korea: Inside the Hermit Kingdom North Korea Kim Jong Un visits a swimming pool complex at the Songdowon International Children's Camp Reuters North Korea: Inside the Hermit Kingdom North Korea Kim Jong-Un looks at children as he visits a baby home and orphanage in Pyongyang AFP North Korea: Inside the Hermit Kingdom North Korea Kim Jong-Un visiting a baby home and orphanage in Pyongyang AFP North Korea: Inside the Hermit Kingdom North Korea Kim Jong-un (C) talks to staff in an orphanage in Pyongyang EPA North Korea: Inside the Hermit Kingdom North Korea Kim Jong Un applauds during the second day session of the 8th Conference of Ideological Officials of the Workers' Party of Korea (WPK) North Korea: Inside the Hermit Kingdom North Korea Kim Jong-un gives an address during the eighth conference of the ideological officials of the Workers' Party in Pyongyang EPA/Rodong Sinmun North Korea: Inside the Hermit Kingdom North Korea Kim Jong-Un reacts to participants of the 8th conference of the ideological officials of the Workers Party of Korea (WPK) in Pyongyang North Korea: Inside the Hermit Kingdom North Korea Kim Jong-un waves during an inspection of the Korean People's Army Unit 323 honoured with the title of O Jung-hup-led 7th Regiment in Pyongyang North Korea: Inside the Hermit Kingdom North Korea Kim Jong-un provides field guidance to the November 2 Factory of the Korean People's Army North Korea: Inside the Hermit Kingdom North Korea Kim Jong-Un inspects the construction site of the January 8 fishery station of the Korean People's Army (KPA) at undisclosed place in North Korea North Korea: Inside the Hermit Kingdom North Korea Kim Jong-un visits the November 2 Factory at an unknown place in North Korea, a food manufacturer for the North Korean soldiers North Korea: Inside the Hermit Kingdom North Korea Kim Jong-Un inspects an electronics factory in Pyongyang North Korea: Inside the Hermit Kingdom North Korea Kim Jong-Un walks as he inspects one of the factories in Pyongyang North Korea: Inside the Hermit Kingdom North Korea Kim Jong-Un looks at the products of the electronics factory in Pyongyang North Korea: Inside the Hermit Kingdom North Korea Kim Jong Un speaks and gestures during a trip to give field guidance to the Pyongyang Weak-current Apparatus Factory North Korea: Inside the Hermit Kingdom North Korea Kim Jong-un laughs as he tours the electronics factory in Pyongyang North Korea: Inside the Hermit Kingdom North Korea Kim Jong Un visits the Songdowon International Children's Camp now being remodelled in Pyongyang North Korea: Inside the Hermit Kingdom North Korea Kim Jong Un speaks as he visits the Songdowon International Children's Camp in Pyongyang North Korea: Inside the Hermit Kingdom North Korea Kim Jong-Un points at remodeled building of the Songdowon International Children's Camp in Kangwon Province North Korea: Inside the Hermit Kingdom North Korea Voters line up to cast their ballots to elect deputies to the 13th Supreme People's Assembly in Pyongyang, North Korea AP North Korea: Inside the Hermit Kingdom North Korea Voters queue to cast their ballots to elect deputies to the 13th Supreme People's Assembly (SPA) in Pyongyang. North Korea holds nation-wide elections to pick deputies to the Supreme People's Assembly for a new five-year term Reuters North Korea: Inside the Hermit Kingdom North Korea North Korean leader Kim Jong Un visits the Kim Il Sung University of Politics to take part in the election of a deputy to the Supreme People's Assembly at sub-constituency No. 43 of Constituency No. 105 together with service personnel of the KPA Reuters North Korea: Inside the Hermit Kingdom North Korea People dance to celebrate as the nation holds elections for deputies to the 13th Supreme People's Assembly (SPA) in Pyongyang Reuters North Korea: Inside the Hermit Kingdom North Korea A woman receives a ballot to vote to elect deputies to the 13th Supreme People's Assembly in Pyongyang, North Korea. North Korean voters went to polling stations to elect a new national legislature, although they don't get to choose who to vote for since there is only one candidate per district. AP North Korea: Inside the Hermit Kingdom North Korea People gather to watch a performer sing near an election site in the Central District near Taedong Gate, in Pyongyang, North Korea. North Korean voters went to polling stations to elect a new national legislature, although they don't get to choose who to vote for since there is only one candidate per district AP North Korea: Inside the Hermit Kingdom North Korea North Korean leader Kim Jong Un inside the August 25 Fisheries Station under KPA 313 Unit Reuters North Korea: Inside the Hermit Kingdom North Korea Kim Jong un laughs as he inspects the August 25 Fisheries Station under KPA 313 Unit Reuters North Korea: Inside the Hermit Kingdom North Korea North Korean leader Kim Jong Un arrives in the August 25 Fisheries Station under KPA 313 Unit Reuters North Korea: Inside the Hermit Kingdom North Korea North Korean leader Kim Jong Un visits the bier of Kim Kuk Thae, member of the Political Bureau of the Central Committee of the Workers' Party of Korea and expressed deep condolences over his death in Pyongyang Getty Images North Korea: Inside the Hermit Kingdom North Korea North Korean leader Kim Jong Un inspects the Masik Pass Hotel, ski service and lodging buildings and rest areas in the skiing courses of the Masik Pass Ski Resort in Kangwon province Getty Images North Korea: Inside the Hermit Kingdom North Korea North Korean leader Kim Jong Un inside a room in the Masik Pass Hotel, ski service and lodging buildings and rest areas in the skiing courses of the Masik Pass Ski Resort in Kangwon province Getty Images North Korea: Inside the Hermit Kingdom North Korea North Korean leader Kim Jong Un inspecting the Masik Pass Hotel, ski service and lodging buildings and rest areas in the skiing courses of the Masik Pass Ski Resort in Kangwon province Getty Images North Korea: Inside the Hermit Kingdom North Korea North Koreans gather together on the steps of Mansu Hill to lay flowers at the base of statues of the late leaders, Kim Il Sung and Kim Jong Il, in Pyongyang AP North Korea: Inside the Hermit Kingdom North Korea North Korean soldiers gathered at Kumsusan memorial palace in support of their leader Kim Jong-Un in Pyongyang Getty Images North Korea: Inside the Hermit Kingdom North Korea North Korean People's Army soldiers take part in a rally to swear allegiance to North Korean leader Kim Jong Un ahead of the second death anniversary of former leader Kim Jong Il at the Kumsusan Palace of the Sun in Pyongyang Reuters North Korea: Inside the Hermit Kingdom North Korea North Korean soldiers gathered at Kumsusan memorial palace in support of their leader Kim Jong-Un in Pyongyang Getty Images North Korea: Inside the Hermit Kingdom North Korea North Korea soldiers stand guard on the banks of the Yalu River which separates the North Korean town of Sinuiju from the Chinese border town of Dandong North Korea: Inside the Hermit Kingdom North Korea China has lost its key North Korean interlocutor with the purging of Kim Jong Un's uncle, but analysts say the young leader's tightening grip on power may be welcomed by Beijing, which prizes stability in its wayward nuclear-armed ally Getty Images North Korea: Inside the Hermit Kingdom North Korea North Korean leader Kim Jong Un applauds during the second meeting of security personnel of the Korean People's Army Reuters North Korea: Inside the Hermit Kingdom North Korea North Korean leader Kim Jong Un waves during a performance by the State Merited Chorus Reuters North Korea: Inside the Hermit Kingdom North Korea North Korean leader Kim Jong Un watches a performance by the State Merited Chorus Reuters North Korea: Inside the Hermit Kingdom North Korea North Korean leader Kim Jong-il (centre) touring the construction site of the Munsu Swimming Complex in Pyongyang, North Korea back in September EPA North Korea: Inside the Hermit Kingdom North Korea Citizens welcome the military parade of the Worker-Peasant Red Guards and a mass rally which started at Kim Il Sung Square in Pyongyang Reuters North Korea: Inside the Hermit Kingdom North Korea North Korean athletes wave their national flag and trophies during a military parade at Kim Il Sung Square to mark the 65th anniversary of the country's founding in Pyongyang AP North Korea: Inside the Hermit Kingdom North Korea Tractors pull artillery through Kim Il Sung Square during a military parade to mark the 65th anniversary of the country's founding in Pyongyang, North Korea Reuters North Korea: Inside the Hermit Kingdom North Korea North Korea's leader Kim Jong-un attends a parade of the Worker-Peasant Red Guards and a mass rally in Pyongyang in celebration of the 65th anniversary of North Korea Reuters North Korea: Inside the Hermit Kingdom North Korea A parade of the Worker-Peasant Red Guards and a mass rally in Pyongyang in celebration of the 65th anniversary of North Korea Reuters North Korea: Inside the Hermit Kingdom North Korea A parade of the Worker-Peasant Red Guards and a mass rally in Pyongyang September in celebration of the 65th anniversary of North Korea Reuters North Korea: Inside the Hermit Kingdom North Korea A parade of the Worker-Peasant Red Guards and a mass rally in Pyongyang in celebration of the 65th anniversary of North Korea Reuters North Korea: Inside the Hermit Kingdom North Korea A parade of the Worker-Peasant Red Guards and a mass rally in Pyongyang in celebration of the 65th anniversary of North Korea Reuters

The delegation had a closed-door lunch meeting with South Korean Unification Minister Ryoo Kihl-jae and national security director Kim Kwan-jin. It was described by John Delury, an Asia specialist at Seoul's Yonsei University, as "a very high-octane group". He added: "Historically, North-South breakthroughs start from the top down, and if Park is serious that she wants to improve relations and jumpstart the reunification process, this is a golden opportunity."

The last such senior visit south was in 2009, when high-ranking Workers' Party official Kim Ki-nam and spy chief Kim Yang-gon, another official who visited the South yesterday, came to pay their respects to the late liberal South Korean President Kim Dae-jung.

Hwang is reported to still be first deputy director for military affairs in the Organisation and Guidance Department (OGD), a secretive group that used to report directly to Kim Jong-il, Kim Jong-un's father, who died in 2011.

On Friday, Vice News reported that Jang Jin-sung, formerly a key member of Kim Jong-il's propaganda machine, counter-intelligence official and personal poet laureate, had claimed that North Korea was "in the midst of a civil war" in September.

Jang, a defector, was reported to have said members of the OGD had stopped taking orders from the younger Kim. The OGD, Jang said, had effectively taken control of the country, with some seeking to gain wealth through increased foreign trade and open markets. "It's not actually consciously civil war, but there are these two incompatible forces at play," he reportedly said.

The alleged coup is said to have begun last year with Kim Jong-un only serving as a puppet leader while officials from the OGD, including Hwang, pulled the strings. It was, Jang claimed, triggered by the execution in December of Jang Sung-taek, Kim's uncle by marriage, who was a political rival of the OGD.

News of Jang Sung-taek's execution was accompanied by a string of extraordinary insults, branding him a "traitor for all ages" and "despicable human scum" who was "worse than a dog". A 2,700-word state-media report of his trial in a special military tribunal said he had admitted to plotting insurrection and a string of other crimes.

"By Jang dying, Kim Jong-un is now surrounded by the OGD," said Jang Jin-sung of the purge of Kim's uncle.

According to New Focus International, a news website that says it is informed by North Korean "exiles from many levels of society", the OGD has exercised virtual control over North Korea since the department's foundation in the early 1990s.

Last week, it reported on the promotion of Hwang to vice-chairman of the National Defence Commission. "But Hwang's recent promotion, even to a position in a [commission] considered by observers to be a powerful military institution, is not an indicator of rising power so much as existing clout becoming apparent to external light," the website reported.

"Hwang Pyong-so is first deputy director for military affairs in the OGD, whose figures exercised their powers and influence from behind the scenes, deliberately avoiding public and prominent posts."