North Korean dictator Kim Jong-un has claimed a landslide victory in another “sham election win” after his party secured 99.93 per cent of the votes.
The long-reigning dictator has pledged to make his own nation “less backwards” as he prepares to head up the Supreme People’s Assembly (SPA) alongside his powerful younger sister.
According to reports cited by Yonhap News Agency, the ruling Workers’ Party of Korea and its allies secured 99.93% of the vote, winning all 687 seats in the Supreme People’s Assembly (SPA) under dubious voting circumstances.
All North Koreans over the age of 17 were given an ultimatum of either approving or rejecting a single candidate put forward by Kim’s ruling Worker’s Party.
All of the candidates were approved after receiving 99.93 per cent of the votes in favour with just 0.07 per cent against.
Authorities reported a turnout of 99.99%, underlining the tightly controlled nature of the electoral process.
The vote, held on March 15, selected deputies for the 15th Supreme People’s Assembly, which will soon convene in Pyongyang. The session will formally decide key leadership positions and discuss potential constitutional changes.
One of the most striking developments in this election is the scale of internal change. Over 70% of deputies are new faces, signalling a major restructuring within the political system.
Experts believe this reshuffle allows Kim to eliminate older power centres and bring in loyal figures. Among the prominent names is Jo Yong-won, a close aide to Kim, who is expected to take a top parliamentary role.
Meanwhile, veteran leader Choe Ryong-hae has been removed from key positions and excluded from the new list—an indication of shifting internal dynamics.
Kim’s sister, Kim Yo-jong, and Foreign Minister Choe Son-hui are also among the newly elected deputies, further strengthening the inner circle.
The upcoming parliamentary session is expected to reappoint Kim as head of the State Affairs Commission, reaffirming his status as the country’s supreme leader.
More importantly, lawmakers may revise the constitution to redefine relations with South Korea. Observers suggest that North Korea could formally declare the South as a hostile state, marking a significant policy shift.
