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Election Date: August 3, 2003

At stake: Supreme People's Assembly

Background

North Korea renewed its parliament for the first time this century, in a troubling time for the country and its people. Since being branded as part of the Axis of Evil by United States president George W. Bush, North Korea has been questioned by the international community about weapons production. The United Nations (UN) mulled an official "condemnation" by the Security Council, while some officials thought North Korea would be willing to give up its nuclear intentions in exchange for an aid package.

As expected, the list of eligible candidates only included members of the ruling Workers Party of Korea (CND) and two smaller organizations, the Korean Social Democratic Party (CS) and the Chondoist Chongu Party (CC). All three parties form the Democratic Front for the Reunification of the Fatherland. No other political organizations exist in the country.

On Aug. 1, two days before the elections took place, North Korea agreed to hold multilateral talks on its alleged development of nuclear weapons. The negotiations were to involve North and South Korea, as well as the U.S., China, Japan and Russia.

Leader Kim Jong-il won his seat—on Pyongyang's constituency number 649—with 100 per cent of the vote, according to published reports. Kim was one of 687 candidates who ran uncontested. The Korean Central News Agency established turnout at 99.9 per cent, as a small part of the population was either abroad or at sea during the vote.

The Supreme People's Assembly is regarded as a particularly weak legislature, and Kim has successfully courted younger lawmakers and forced the retirement of a group of senior representatives.

Political Players

Eternal president: Kim Il Song (d. 1994)
Chairman of the National Defense Commission: Kim Jong-il - CND
Chairman of the Standing Committee of the Supreme People's Assembly: Kim Yong-nam - CND
Prime minister: Hong Song-nam - CND

Legislative Branch: The Choe Ko In Min Hoe Ui (Supreme People's Assembly) has 687 members, elected to five-year terms.

Results of Last Election:

Assembly - Aug. 3, 2003

687 candidates belonging to the Democratic Front for the Reunification of the Fatherland ran uncontested. The Front consists of the Workers Party of Korea (CND), the Korean Social Democratic Party (CS) and the Chondoist Chongu Party (CC).

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