Kim Jong-un’s grip on power in peril after just 99.91% voted for his party

The last elections of that kind saw 100% of voters back the Workers’ Party of Korea (Picture: Reuters)

In a rare moment in the repressive North Korean regime, its ruling party has reported votes against it in its elections.

The results of Sunday’s election for deputies to regional people’s assemblies were revealed yesterday, and state media said 0.09% and 0.13% voted against the selected candidates for the province and city councils respectively.

Very concerning for dictator Kim Jong-un, after the last elections of that kind in July 2019 saw 100% of voters back the Workers’ Party of Korea.

State news agency KCNA said: ‘Among the voters who took part in the ballot-casting, 99.91% voted for the candidates for deputies to provincial people’s assemblies…. (and) 99.87% voted for candidates for deputies to city and county people’s assemblies.’

North Korea has one of the most highly controlled societies in the world, and its elections are widely considered a sham – or at least just a formality.

Its supreme leader Kim is accused of using a system of patronage and repression to retain absolute power.

Analysts have suggested the election ‘results’ are simply an attempt to portray an image of a normal society, rather than an indication of an increase of rights in the country – which is widely considered to have the worst human rights record globally.

A photo released by state media showed Kim Jong-un casting a ballot wearing his trench coat (Picture: AFP via Getty Images)

Kim is accused of using a system of patronage and repression to retain absolute power (Picture: Reuters)

The Asia Pacific Foundation of Canada think tank said in a report: ‘The portrayal of a more democratic society, particularly in comparison to South Korea and the US, is aimed at reinforcing the regime’s legitimacy and authenticity on the world stage.

‘Discreet voting will likely remain limited as the boxes will continue to be conspicuously monitored.’

A photo released by state media showed Kim casting a ballot, standing in front of two boxes – one green for approval, and the other red for dissent – wearing his classic trench coat.

An official at South Korea’s unification ministry said it is the first time North Korea has referred to opposing votes in local polls since the 1960s.

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But the voter turnout did slightly decrease to 99.63% from 99.98% four years ago, suggesting a minor weakening in control considering voting is mandatory in North Korea.

The latest election was also the first polls since North Korea revised its election law in August to allow multiple candidates.

But candidates of elections are still tightly controlled and hand-picked by the ruling party, then rubber-stamped into office.

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The last elections of that kind saw 100% of voters back the Workers’ Party of Korea.