2009 North Korean parliamentary election
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 North Korea portal |
Parliamentary elections in North Korea, creating the 12th Supreme People's Assembly, were held on 8 March 2009.[1] They were originally scheduled to be held on August 5, 2008[2][3] but were postponed for unknown reasons, though analysts speculated that it was in relation to Kim Jong-il's ill health.[1] All candidates in the election were members of one of the parties comprising the Democratic Front for the Reunification of the Fatherland. A single candidate, approved by the North-Korean leadership, ran in each of the 687 districts, thereby guaranteeing a full victory by the Democratic Front for the Reunification of the Fatherland, regardless of voter turnout.[4][5] Kim Jong-il, the de facto leader of North Korea and the Chairman of the National Defence Commission, ran for election in Constituency 333.[6]
On 8 March 2009 the several news agencies reported rumors that Kim Jong-un, the youngest son of current North Korean leader Kim Jong-il, appeared on the ballot for the elections to the Supreme People's Assembly.[7] After the election the new parliament "may also replace members of [Kim's] cabinet and the National Defense Commission, the top ruling agency."[6] Whether or not Kim will put his sons or military leaders in his cabinet this year is unknown, and possible shifts in power are of interest to international observers.[6][8][9]
By noon, 71% of registered North Korean voters had cast ballots.[10] Men and women dressed up for the election day, wearing suits and chosŏn-ot (traditional Korean dresses), respectively.[8] State media also reported that overseas citizens staying in North Korea also participated in voting, if they so wished.[11] Official election results were announced on 9 March 2009.[4]
I cast a ballot of patriotism, a ballot of approval with a mind to strengthen our socialist system—the best in the world, as firm as a rock.
— Kim Un Kyong, a North Korean factory worker, [8]
Results
On March 9, 2009, North Korean media announced that Kim Jong-il was unanimously re-elected to parliament, though none of his sons were among the appointments.[12] The election committee also stated that 99.98% of all registered voters took part in voting, with 100% voting for their candidate in each district.[13]
Deputies elected
| District | Name |
|---|---|
| 333 | Kim Jong-il[12] |
References
- ^ a b "N Korea announces March election". BBC News. 2009-01-07.
- ^ Website of the CIA
- ^ Electoral Calendar – world elections, US elections, presidential election, world parties
- ^ a b Moon, Angela (2009-03-08). "N.Korea vote may point to Kim successor". Reuters. Retrieved 2009-03-08.
{{cite news}}: Unknown parameter|coauthors=ignored (|author=suggested) (help) - ^ Sohn, Jie-Ae (2009-03-08). "N. Korea holds parliamentary elections". CNN. Retrieved 2009-03-08.
- ^ a b c Choe, Sang-Hun (2009-03-08). "In North Korean Poll, Observers Look Down Ballot". New York Times. Retrieved 2009-03-08.
- ^ "N Korea holds parliamentary poll", BBC News, Retrieved on March 8, 2009.
- ^ a b c Lee, Jean H. (2009-03-08). "North Korea votes for new rubber-stamp parliament". AP. Retrieved 2009-03-08.
- ^ Kim, Kwang-Tae (2009-03-08). "Will youngest son become third Kim to lead nation?". Toronto Star. Retrieved 2009-03-08.
- ^ Cho, Kevin (2009-03-07). "North Korea Holds Parliamentary Elections Amid Rising Tensions". Bloomberg. Retrieved 2009-03-08.
{{cite news}}: Unknown parameter|coauthors=ignored (|author=suggested) (help) - ^ All Voters Participate in Voting, KCNA, March 8, 2009.
- ^ a b "North Korea polls give no clue". Press Association. March 9, 2009.
- ^ N Korea's Kim wins parliamentary seat: official media, AFP, March 9, 2009.
