ID :
49569
Sun, 03/08/2009 - 22:58
Auther :
Shortlink :
https://oananews.org//node/49569
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N. Korean election held, focus on generational change+
PYONGYANG, March 8 Kyodo -
(EDS: ADDING N. KOREAN MEDIA REPORT OF LEADER CASTING VOTE)
Voting for North Korea's Supreme People's Assembly, the country's parliament,
took place Sunday with the focus of observers on whether it will result in a
continued change from an older to a younger generation of delegates.
The results of the last two elections -- in 1998 and 2003 -- came out the day
after the voting, and the same is expected for the current poll.
The number of delegates elected to the assembly was 687 in the past two
elections. It is expected to remain around the same size in the current poll.
The delegates will have a five-year term.
In Pyongyang, citizens cast votes from the morning at polling stations set up
in factories, schools and apartments. One candidate each stands from a
constituency, making the poll an effective vote of confidence in the candidate.
North Korean leader Kim Jong Il cast his vote at a polling station at the Kim
Il Sung Political University for a member of the country's military who stood
as a candidate in that constituency, official media reported.
While state-run television broadcast nine photographs of the leader, no video
footage of the event was released.
Meanwhile, around 1,500 people were lined up to vote at a polling station in
the Pyongyang 326 Electric Wire Factory.
A picture and the name of the district's candidate were posted at the entrance
of the polling station, together with a list of names of those eligible to cast
votes.
A circus group was performing at a square in the factory, attracting those who
had finished casting their votes.
Pak Mi Hyang, a 22-year-old worker at the factory voting for the first time,
said, ''I am filled with joy to think that I am able to contribute to the
strengthening of the revolutionary sovereign power through my vote.''
Pak was referring to the country's authorities.
Kim Suk Nam, a 47-year-old candidate from the district and the manager of the
factory, said he wants to ''contribute to the development of the people and the
country'' should he be elected as delegate.
==Kyodo
2009-03-08 21:29:42
(EDS: ADDING N. KOREAN MEDIA REPORT OF LEADER CASTING VOTE)
Voting for North Korea's Supreme People's Assembly, the country's parliament,
took place Sunday with the focus of observers on whether it will result in a
continued change from an older to a younger generation of delegates.
The results of the last two elections -- in 1998 and 2003 -- came out the day
after the voting, and the same is expected for the current poll.
The number of delegates elected to the assembly was 687 in the past two
elections. It is expected to remain around the same size in the current poll.
The delegates will have a five-year term.
In Pyongyang, citizens cast votes from the morning at polling stations set up
in factories, schools and apartments. One candidate each stands from a
constituency, making the poll an effective vote of confidence in the candidate.
North Korean leader Kim Jong Il cast his vote at a polling station at the Kim
Il Sung Political University for a member of the country's military who stood
as a candidate in that constituency, official media reported.
While state-run television broadcast nine photographs of the leader, no video
footage of the event was released.
Meanwhile, around 1,500 people were lined up to vote at a polling station in
the Pyongyang 326 Electric Wire Factory.
A picture and the name of the district's candidate were posted at the entrance
of the polling station, together with a list of names of those eligible to cast
votes.
A circus group was performing at a square in the factory, attracting those who
had finished casting their votes.
Pak Mi Hyang, a 22-year-old worker at the factory voting for the first time,
said, ''I am filled with joy to think that I am able to contribute to the
strengthening of the revolutionary sovereign power through my vote.''
Pak was referring to the country's authorities.
Kim Suk Nam, a 47-year-old candidate from the district and the manager of the
factory, said he wants to ''contribute to the development of the people and the
country'' should he be elected as delegate.
==Kyodo
2009-03-08 21:29:42
