Kim Jong Il was unanimously re-elected to North Korea’s rubber-stamp parliament, state media said Monday, in elections closely watched for signs of a political shift or hints the autocratic leader is grooming a successor. Turnout Sunday was 99.98 percent, with all voters backing the sole candidate running in their constituency, the official Korean Central News Agency reported.
Observers will be analyzing the list of legislators for clues as to how Kim and the ruling elite will govern the Communist nation over the next five years, and any signs he is grooming a successor. Kim’s third son, Kim Jong Un, reportedly ran for a seat Sunday in what analysts say would be a strong sign he is poised to inherit power. The 26-year-old is the youngest of the leader’s three known sons and is said to be his father’s favorite.
Kim, 67, reportedly suffered a stroke last August, around the time the elections were due to be held. North Korea denies he was ill and did not provide a reason for the delay to March.
So who was the brave soul who voted against him? Or better yet, in what Gulag might he reside?
Aren’t all the banks in N. Korea nationalized? And the populace must all support the Supreme Leader without question?
“So who was the brave soul who voted against him? Or better yet, in what Gulag might he reside?”
That absentee ballot has not yet been counted….
How long before we’re reading the same thing about Chavez in Venezuela? Gotta Love those Democratic People’s Republics.
Don’t worry guys, Obama will go over and talk to him and straiten this whole thing out.
Why do they even bother to vote?
Really!
It just makes them look weak.
Vote or Die!
AND THOSE .02% ARE no longer a problem.
and they wont need to eat anymore.
#4 Because you either vote (in the prescribed manner) or you end up in said gulag.
It amazing that the government in North Korea have been able to keep it together for so long.
For whatever it is worth, try reading the official news releases from North Korea at their website, translated into English.
http://kcna.co.jp/index-e.htm
They release about a dozen or so news stories a day, and have a comprehensive archive. Every single tin-pot dictator in the world gets lavish praise from the North Koreans. And the praise for the brave North Korean worker against the evil South Koreans and Americans is just too much.
If you don’t believe that they are nucking futs, then read some of their news. They are on a totally different planet there.
#8 Nice Find – Reading some of those propaganda stories it is hard to believe it is not a joke. Having been to South Korea and seen the DMZ, I just cannot fathom how they can control the information so tightly that anyone would believe a line like this one:
“… puppet military of south Korea are a group of traitors seized with confrontation and war hysteria, staking their fate on outsiders in utter disregard of reconciliation and unity among Koreans, peace and reunification”
Especially when South Korea has built a reunion museum in hopes that they will someday reunite and see lost family members again. (Complete with a train station ready to link up with rails from the north.)
But I think my favorite quote, coming from the official North Korean mouthpiece is this gem:
“War maniacs should be dealt with arms, not with words.”
Man of the people.
The difference between Bush and Kim is that Kim was elected.
I wonder if this guy even saw ‘Team America’. I’d be glad to send him a copy. Just like I used to wonder if Sadam Hussein had ever seen ‘South Park’. This planet has a long standing history of lampooning leaders such as this. I get the feeling that it would definitely not be cool to live on a planet that can’t laugh at nasty little bastids like this guy.
Must See TV
Tonight on NBC: “Bammy & Kim.
#9,Every single tin-pot dictator in the world gets lavish praise from the North Koreans. And the praise for the brave North Korean worker against the evil South Koreans and Americans is just too much.
Wow. That sounds like some of the posters here.
8,
Check out the Vice Guide travel to North Korea. About 9 episodes, but very interesting.
http://www.vbs.tv/video.php?id=1438428757
A very, VERY odd place indeed.
Bush tried to emulate a few of Kim’s favorite tricks, but not everyone was on board. It is so easy to see how the Bushits still long for their leader.
“I am not a Puppet” is a great line. I’d love to see Jeff Dunham make Little Kimmy talk.
NK is a typical left wingnut “paradise”.
The Vice Guide travel to North Korea, 14 freakishly interesting episodes of a place not likely to make your life’s list of places to visit.