North Korea's Elections: A Political Sham
Elections and Political System
The Democratic People's Republic of Korea (North Korea) holds elections every four to five years for the Supreme People's Assembly (SPA), the country's national legislature. However, these elections are widely considered a sham, as there is only one candidate for each seat and the results are predetermined.
Kim's Absence from Elections
In 2019, North Korean leader Kim Jong-un did not stand in the elections for the Supreme People's Assembly, marking the first time a North Korean leader had not done so. This move was seen as a sign of Kim's growing power and control over the country.
Highly Controlled Society
North Korea is one of the most highly controlled societies in the world, and its elections are no exception. The government tightly controls all aspects of the election process, from the selection of candidates to the counting of votes.
Local Elections
Since 1999, North Korea has also held local elections. However, these elections are also tightly controlled, and the results are often predetermined. In addition, the country's full name, the Democratic People's Republic of Korea, suggests that it should have a more democratic system of government.
Delayed Parliamentary Elections
Parliamentary elections were expected to be held in North Korea in 2024. However, it is considered likely that they were delayed due to a lack of resources and the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.
Comments