Kim Jong Il Re-Elected To N.Korean Parliament
SEOUL, South Korea — North Korea’s leader has been unanimously re-elected to the communist country’s rubber-stamp parliament.
Kim Jong Il’s re-election was never in doubt. But observers are watching for signs of a political shift or hints that he is grooming a successor.
The autocratic leader is 67 and reportedly had a stroke last summer, around the time the elections were to be held. North Korea denies he was ill but didn’t give a reason why the voting was delayed until now.
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.
