Kim ‘re-elected’ in N Korea vote
Elections for People’s Assembly closely-watched for signs of leadership successor.
A full list of legislators to the rubber stamp 12th Supreme People’s Assembly is expected to be released later on Monday.
The body meets only a few times a year to approve bills already vetted by the ruling party Workers’ Party.
Assembly elections are largely a formality since candidates are widely believed to be hand-picked by Kim and top party officials. Only one candidate runs in each constituency and defectors say opposing a candidate is unthinkable.
Successor
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| This photo is believed to be of Kim Jong-un aged 11 [Reuters/KBS] |
Kim, 67, is believed to have suffered a stroke last August and South Korean reports have said Sunday’s election may be a prelude to an announcement on who will take over the leadership.
Some reports have named the North Korean leader’s third son, 26-year-old Kim Jong-un, as a possible successor.
Little is known about Jong-un’s background or experience, although he is thought to have been named as a candidate in Sunday’s election.
Analysts have said his appointment to the people’s assembly would be a strong sign that he is poised to inherit power.
He is believed to have been educated at a school in Switzerland which he attended under a pseudonym.
No official photograph of him has ever been released and only one image, said to have been taken of Jong-un when he was aged 11, is in circulation.