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North Koreans flocked to the polls on Sunday as North Korea held its first parliamentary
elections under the leadership of Kim Jong-un. Kim is expected to use the poll to promote
officials loyal to him and further consolidate his power.
Kim Min-ji reports. North Korea on Sunday held nationwide elections for a new rubber-stamp
parliament,... the first under the leadership of Kim Jong-un.
The elections, which are held every five years,... is expected to shed some light on the power
shift taking place in the regime,... and will likely be used to promote officials depending
on their loyalty to the young leader.
The North's state-run Korean Central News Agency said all voters that had registered
went to the polls,... with the exception of those who were abroad or at sea.
The Supreme People's Assembly fields one candidate for each of the 687 constituencies,... with
the voters only required to cast "Yes" or "No" ballots.
The results are expected to be announced later Monday.
Kim himself was registered as a candidate in the constituency of Mount Paekdu,...a mountain
on the Korean Peninsula which Pyongyang describes as the birthplace of Kim and his late father.
The Korean Central News Agency said Kim voted at the Kim Il-sung University of Politics,...
along with top officials, including Choe Ryong-hae, director of the General Political Bureau of
the Korean People's Army. It also said Kim was accompanied by his younger
sister, Kim Yo-jong. It's the first time the younger Kim has been
mentioned on state media,... although she has been seen on North Korean television before.
March 9, 2014 "Kim Jong-un was accompanied by Choe Ryong-hae
of the Korean People's Army,... along with other dedicated workers, including Kim Kyong-ok,
Hwang Pyong-so and Kim Yo-jung."
Kim Yo-jong was listed along with senior officials of the Central Committee of the ruling Workers'
Party.
" Hwang Pyong-so is a vice department director of the Worker's Party,.. which means that
Kim Yo-jong could hold a similar position,... because her name followed Hwang."
North Korea experts say she will likely take on the role of her aunt, Kim Kyong-hui.
Kim Min-ji, Arirang News.