North Korea's Upcoming Parliament Session to Revise Constitution

North Korea's Supreme People's Assembly (SPA) is set to convene next week, focusing on potential amendments to the constitution and the election of national leadership. According to the Korean Central News Agency (KCNA), the assembly will formally open on 22 March. This follows the recent election of 687 deputies during an election held on 15 March, which was described by media sources as largely symbolic.

The assembly's upcoming session is expected to address significant issues such as the potential official declaration of Kim Jong Un as president, a position that has historically been associated with his grandfather, Kim Il Sung, the founder of North Korea. In its report, KCNA stated, "The session is to deliberate on the election of the president of the State Affairs of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea, the elections of the state leadership and...the revision and supplement of the Socialist Constitution."

Elections in North Korea typically do not present genuine choices for voters. They are seen as a means to demonstrate a fabricated sense of unity among the populace. Under the current political system, the ruling Workers' Party holds absolute power, rendering the assembly's approvals largely superficial. This context underscores the nature of the recent electoral process where citizens elected representatives like workers, farmers, and officials to the SPA, yet no real competition existed, as only one candidate was presented for each position.

North Korean citizens have reported a voter turnout of 99.99%, with 99.93% voting in favour of the candidates. Notably, Kim Jong Un did not run as a candidate in this election, although he continues to hold significant leadership roles as the general secretary of the Workers' Party and the supreme commander of the Armed Forces.

On voting day, Kim Jong Un cast his ballot at a coal mine, where he emphasised the importance of the coal industry for the country's economy, particularly in light of his five-year economic strategy. Additionally, North Koreans residing in China and other socialist nations were also allowed to participate in the voting.

While the results were primarily reported through the lens of KCNA, many western media outlets have characterised the assembly as a 'rubber stamp' legislature, highlighting its lack of real legislative power. For instance, The Sun published an article emphasising the high voter approval, labelling the election a sham.

Through the assembly's decisions, it is anticipated that Kim Jong Un will be reappointed as Chairman of the State Affairs Commission, a role he has held since its establishment in 2016. Meanwhile, his sister, Kim Yo-jong, has been promoted within the party’s leadership structure, stirring speculation regarding her future role in governance. Experts suggest that Kim Yo-jong is being positioned as a probable successor, potentially holding power until her young niece, Kim Ju-ae, is ready to take charge.

Michael Madden, a director at NK Leadership Watch, has remarked on Kim Yo-jong's increasing influence, stating that she appears groomed to step into a more prominent leadership position in the future.