Kim Jong Un and Workers' Party Secure 99.93% Mandate in North Korea Polls | DISCUSS

On Tuesday, March 17, 2026, North Korea’s Central Election Committee officially announced that the ruling Workers’ Party of Korea (WPK) and its coalition partners secured 99.93% of the vote in the parliamentary elections held on Sunday, March 15.

The election, held to select 687 deputies for the 15th Supreme People's Assembly (SPA), reported a near-perfect turnout of 99.99%.

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Key Election Statistics (March 2026)

Category	Official State Figure
Voter Turnout	99.99%
Approval Rating	99.93%
Rejection Rate	0.07%
Total Seats	687 (All WPK-approved)

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"First Opposition Since 1957"

In a rare departure from historical reporting, state media acknowledged that 0.07% of the electorate voted to "reject" the registered candidates.

1. Propaganda Tactic: International observers interpret the inclusion of these "opposing votes" as a propaganda maneuver to present a veneer of democratic legitimacy and a "genuine right to object".

2. The "No" Booth: Under the 2023 revised election law, voters who wish to dissent must use a specific "no" ballot box or cross out names with a red pen—acts that afford no secrecy and are often viewed as high-risk.

3. Kim's Personal Vote: Kim Jong Un reportedly cast his ballot at the Chonsong Youth Coal Mine, voting for the mine's manager, Jo Chol Ho, to emphasize the importance of the country's economic five-year plan.

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Consolidating Power: A 70% Reshuffle

Analysts from the Yonhap News Agency and NK News noted that while the high vote percentage was expected, the list of elected deputies signals a major internal power shift:

• Personnel Overhaul: Over 70% of the deputies have been replaced since the previous assembly, a move interpreted as an effort to clear out older officials and cement Kim Jong Un’s absolute authority with a younger, more loyal cadre.

• The Inner Circle: High-profile winners include Kim's sister, Kim Yo-jong, and Foreign Minister Choe Son-hui. Prominent aide Jo Yong-won is expected to be named the new chairman of the assembly's standing committee.

• Upcoming Session: The new assembly will convene on March 22 to formally re-elect Kim as the head of the State Affairs Commission and potentially codify a "hostile country" stance toward South Korea in the constitution.

"The results reflect our citizens' ardent desire to reliably defend their glorious state political system." — KCNA Editorial