People's Assembly gives 'screen of democracy': Analyst
Updated
North Korea's parliament has powers to revise the constitution, approve the budget and appoint top officials to bodies like the National Defence Commission.
And it's nearly always absolutely unanimous and never acts independently of President Kim Jong-il and those closest to him in Pyongyang... so what real purpose does it serve the nation?
Presenter: Sen Lam
Speaker: Dr Leonid Petrov of the Australian National University and the Political Science University in France
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PETROV: Well the real purpose according to the constitution of the People's Democratic Republic of Korea officially known North Korea, we know that it's a supreme organ of state power. Of course the country's run by Kim Jong-Il and the family members and supported by the Korean People's Army General. But of course when they nominate some certain people to the positions of power they need some screen of democracy, that's why the Supreme People's Assembly is existing and they usually support any nomination for cabinet positions, even the vice prime minister positions are usually supported.
LAM: So may we look to parliament then in its current election as a clue to the succession issue in Pyongyang?
PETROV: Yes many people have talked about this succession issue since last August 2008 when there was obviously something wrong with Kim Jong-Il's health. That's why the Supreme People's Assembly was not convened at that time, it was due in August but it didn't. So there were some rumours about Kim Jong-Il losing grip on power, and actually there was speculation that one of the sons would be nominated and anointed for power. Kim Jong-Il has three sons. The eldest son lives overseas and he doesn't usually go to Pyongyang, the second son is probably not the best figure, but nothing is actually known about his third son, Kim Jong-Un. And it was extremely surprising when Kim Jong-Un was nominated by Kim Jong-Il last January as a potential successor, and subsequently his name was put into the list for the ballot for Supreme Assembly.
LAM: Indeed as you say Kim Jong-Un is on the ballots for the first time. He's very young though isn't he at 26, I mean will he need to have advisors around him if is indeed the anointed one?
PETROV: Well I think Kim Jong-Un is the perfect figure for this current situation. You see he's the youngest of the sons and Korea is a Confuscionist country so obviously staying within the family is actually not giving any power to him because he will not be able to contradict his father, his elder brothers and other siblings. Also there might be if something happens to the Supreme Leader Kim Jong-Il, before Kim Jong-Un is appointed the leader, there would be a kind of collective leadership where generals and members of family will collectively make decisions and ask Kim Jong-Un to be a figurehead and a ceremonial head of the state. And I think that would be the perfect solution for everyone.
LAM: So might Kim Jong-Un have to wait for Kim the elder to die or might there be a handover while his dad is still alive?
PETROV: I think as you said he's only 26 so he'll need some on the job training so Supreme People's Assembly is the perfect stepping stone for his career. He will be very close to his father and attend all the meetings with all state leaders. And definitely he will be looked at as a potential successor and this is what we see that North Korea is becoming a hereditary dynasty where the first time the power will be passed on from father to son and the first time in a communist state history.
