North Korean leader Kim Jong-un has claimed an overwhelming victory in the country’s latest parliamentary elections, with official results indicating that his ruling party secured 99.93 per cent of the vote in what critics have described as a tightly controlled and non-competitive process.
According to reports cited by Yonhap News Agency, the Workers' Party of Korea, along with its allied groups, won all 687 seats in the Supreme People's Assembly (SPA). The election, held on March 15, was conducted under a system where voters were presented with only one candidate per seat, effectively eliminating electoral competition.
All eligible North Koreans aged 17 and above were required to either approve or reject the sole candidate nominated by the ruling party. Official figures showed that 99.93 per cent of voters approved the candidates, while only 0.07 per cent voted against them. Authorities also reported an exceptionally high voter turnout of 99.99 per cent, a figure that observers say reflects the highly controlled political environment in the country.
The vote determined representatives for the 15th Supreme People’s Assembly, which is expected to convene soon in Pyongyang. During the session, lawmakers will formally decide key leadership positions and may consider constitutional amendments that could shape the country’s future political direction.
One notable outcome of the election is the scale of internal restructuring within the political system. Reports indicate that more than 70 per cent of the newly elected deputies are first-time members, suggesting a significant reshuffle orchestrated by Kim Jong-un. Analysts believe this move is aimed at consolidating power by replacing older political figures with individuals considered more loyal to the current leadership.
Among those expected to play a prominent role in the new assembly is Jo Yong-won, a close associate of Kim, who is widely tipped for a senior parliamentary position. In contrast, veteran figure Choe Ryong-hae has reportedly been removed from key roles and excluded from the new lineup, signalling shifting power dynamics within the regime.
Key members of Kim’s inner circle, including his sister Kim Yo-jong and Foreign Minister Choe Son-hui, were also elected as deputies, further reinforcing the concentration of influence among trusted allies.
The upcoming parliamentary session is expected to reappoint Kim Jong-un as head of the State Affairs Commission, thereby reaffirming his position as the country’s supreme leader. Beyond leadership confirmations, attention is also focused on potential constitutional revisions, particularly regarding North Korea’s stance toward South Korea.
Observers suggest that the assembly may formally redefine relations with South Korea, possibly designating it as a hostile state—a move that would mark a significant shift in inter-Korean policy and further heighten tensions on the Korean Peninsula.
While the official results portray a near-unanimous endorsement of the ruling party, international analysts and critics continue to question the credibility of the electoral process, citing the absence of genuine political competition and the restrictive nature of the voting system.
