ID :
46151
Wed, 02/18/2009 - 07:54
Auther :
Shortlink :
https://www.oananews.org//node/46151
The shortlink copeid
Kim stresses 'fresh' revolution ahead of parliamentary polls
SEOUL, Feb. 18 (Yonhap) -- North Korean leader Kim Jong-il encouraged citizens to vote in "significant" parliamentary elections next month after registering with a military constituency for a lawmaker's seat, state media said Wednesday.
North Korea holds long overdue parliamentary elections on March 8, which were
bypassed last autumn amid reports that Kim had a stroke in August.
"The election to the 12th Supreme People's Assembly is all the more significant
in that it is to be held in a pulsating period where a fresh revolutionary
upsurge is being brought about on all fronts of the building of a great,
prosperous and powerful country," Kim said in an open letter to voters
nationwide, according to the Korean Central News Agency.
Kim's mention of a "fresh" revolutionary upsurge comes amid speculation in South
Korea that the election will be used to pave the ground for his successor. Young
economic technocrats may be promoted to step up the country's economic drive in
the post-Kim era, said the Institute for National Security Strategy, a think tank
of the National Intelligence Agency, in late December.
In his open letter, Kim said he decided to register as a candidate of the 333rd
constituency, which appeared to be a military electorate where voters clad in
military uniforms nominated him as their candidate on Feb. 1. All other
constituencies followed with his nomination in a symbolic ceremony to stress his
leadership, but Kim usually chooses the first and military one.
The collective nomination "is an expression of their absolute support for and
trust in our party," he said, "I extend my heartfelt thanks to the entire
electorate of the country for their deep trust in me."
The leader represented different military constituencies in previous elections --
666th in 1998 and the 649th in 2003.
The North's parliamentary vote is a direct election, but the list of candidates
are drawn up by the ruling Workers' Party, with a single candidate nominated for
each electorate and elected with 100 percent approval. The current 687 delegates
were picked in 2003.
Kim turned 67 on Monday amid lingering concern about his health and growing
rumors about his choice of a successor.
Intelligence sources told Yonhap last month that Kim, apparently driven by his
health condition, named his third and youngest son, Kim Jong-un, as his successor
on Jan. 8.
The 25-year-old Jong-un, born to Kim's third wife Ko Yong-hi and educated in
Switzerland, has been said to be his father's favorite, bearing a close
resemblance in appearance and temperament to the aging leader.
Japanese daily Mainichi Shimbun also said on Tuesday that the third son has been
selected.
The current leader took over when his father and North Korean founder Kim Il-sung
died in 1994, the first hereditary power succession in a communist regime.
hkim@yna.co.kr
(END)
North Korea holds long overdue parliamentary elections on March 8, which were
bypassed last autumn amid reports that Kim had a stroke in August.
"The election to the 12th Supreme People's Assembly is all the more significant
in that it is to be held in a pulsating period where a fresh revolutionary
upsurge is being brought about on all fronts of the building of a great,
prosperous and powerful country," Kim said in an open letter to voters
nationwide, according to the Korean Central News Agency.
Kim's mention of a "fresh" revolutionary upsurge comes amid speculation in South
Korea that the election will be used to pave the ground for his successor. Young
economic technocrats may be promoted to step up the country's economic drive in
the post-Kim era, said the Institute for National Security Strategy, a think tank
of the National Intelligence Agency, in late December.
In his open letter, Kim said he decided to register as a candidate of the 333rd
constituency, which appeared to be a military electorate where voters clad in
military uniforms nominated him as their candidate on Feb. 1. All other
constituencies followed with his nomination in a symbolic ceremony to stress his
leadership, but Kim usually chooses the first and military one.
The collective nomination "is an expression of their absolute support for and
trust in our party," he said, "I extend my heartfelt thanks to the entire
electorate of the country for their deep trust in me."
The leader represented different military constituencies in previous elections --
666th in 1998 and the 649th in 2003.
The North's parliamentary vote is a direct election, but the list of candidates
are drawn up by the ruling Workers' Party, with a single candidate nominated for
each electorate and elected with 100 percent approval. The current 687 delegates
were picked in 2003.
Kim turned 67 on Monday amid lingering concern about his health and growing
rumors about his choice of a successor.
Intelligence sources told Yonhap last month that Kim, apparently driven by his
health condition, named his third and youngest son, Kim Jong-un, as his successor
on Jan. 8.
The 25-year-old Jong-un, born to Kim's third wife Ko Yong-hi and educated in
Switzerland, has been said to be his father's favorite, bearing a close
resemblance in appearance and temperament to the aging leader.
Japanese daily Mainichi Shimbun also said on Tuesday that the third son has been
selected.
The current leader took over when his father and North Korean founder Kim Il-sung
died in 1994, the first hereditary power succession in a communist regime.
hkim@yna.co.kr
(END)
