Supreme People's Assembly

The Supreme People's Assembly (SPA) is the parliament of North Korea (DPRK). It consists of one deputy from each of 687 constituencies, elected to five-year terms. Although the SPA is North Korea's primary legislative body, it ordinarily delegates authority to the smaller Presidium chosen from among its members. The Presidium of the Supreme People's Assembly is the most powerful body in the SPA and exercises legislative power when the SPA is in recess, which occurs during all but a few days of every year. Kim Yong Nam is the current President of the Presidium.

The 687 SPA deputies are ostensibly elected by secret ballot of citizens 17 years of age and older to serve five year terms. All citizens 17 and older, regardless of party affiliation, political views, or religion are constitutionally eligible to be elected to the SPA and vote in elections [1]. These elections are not democratic by international standards, as voters are presented with only a single candidate for each office. All candidates are selected by the Democratic Front for the Reunification of the Fatherland, an unelected party organization under the leadership of the Workers' Party of Korea. Elections were last held on August 3 2003, and will be held again in 2008.

Kim Yong Nam currently serves as President of the Assembly and thus also as the head of the Presidum. According to the Constitution of North Korea, it is the highest organ of state power. The Assembly is convened once or twice a year in regular sessions of several days each; this is the shortest meeting time of any parliament. The SPA usually passes all proposals by the government into law during its sessions with little debate or modification. At all other times, the Presidium serves as the country's legislature. Extraordinary sessions of the Assembly can also meet when called by the Presidium or by one third of the Assembly deputies.

In 1990 (the most recent available figures) the composition of the SPA was 601 seats held by the Workers' Party of Korea, 51 seats held by the Korean Social Democratic Party, 22 seats held by the Chondoist Chongu Party and 13 seats held by independents [2]. All members of the parliament were elected from the Democratic Front for the Reunification of the Fatherland, a popular front controlled by the Worker's Party of Korea.

Chairmen of the Presidium of the Supreme People's Assembly

• Kim Doo-bong (1948-1957)
• Choi Yong-kun (1957-1972)
• Kim Yong-nam (1998-Present)

See also

• Politics of North Korea
• Elections in North Korea

External links

• CIA World Factbook: North Korean Government