North Korea’s legislature re-elects Kim Jong Un as president of state affairs. Critics label the vote staged, while analysts note possible tougher stance on South Korea

North Korea’s legislature has re-elected Kim Jong Un as president of state affairs, reaffirming his position as the nation’s top leader.

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The decision, announced by the Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) on March 23, appoints Kim as head of the State Affairs Commission, the country’s highest policymaking body.

“The Supreme People’s Assembly of the DPRK reelected Comrade Kim Jong Un as President of the State Affairs of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea at the First Session, the first state affairs activity of its 15th term, on March 22,” KCNA reported.

Critics argue that North Korea’s elections are pre-determined, serving primarily to create a façade of democratic legitimacy.

Lee Ho‑ryung of the Korea Institute for Defense Analyses described the process as a “highly choreographed event with a pre-determined outcome.”

Prior to the assembly session, 687 deputies were elected to the Supreme People’s Assembly (SPA).

Citizens over 17 could approve or reject the sole candidate presented by the ruling party. KCNA reported 99.93 percent voted in favour, with turnout reaching 99.99 percent.

Kim Jong Un is North Korea’s third-generation leader, succeeding his father Kim Jong Il in 2011. The state was founded by his grandfather, Kim Il Sung, in 1948.

KCNA described the vote as reflecting “the unanimous will and desire of all the Korean people.”

Analysts suggest the current assembly session may consider amendments to formally define inter-Korean relations as “two hostile states.” Hong Min, senior analyst at the Korea Institute for National Unification, said Kim’s assembly speech will indicate his stance towards South Korea, particularly whether terms like “national unification” are replaced with more aggressive language such as “territorial control.”

Photos from KCNA show Kim seated at the centre of the stage in a western suit, flanked by senior officials, with giant statues of his father and grandfather behind him.

The session follows a five-yearly ruling party meeting held last month.

Recently, North Korea barred foreigners from a new seaside resort on its east coast, days after a visit from a top Russian diplomat.

The resort, a pet project of Kim Jong Un, had opened earlier this month to domestic visitors with great fanfare in state-run media.

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Critics continue to describe North Korea’s electoral process as a façade of legitimacy, with outcomes tightly controlled by the ruling regime.