North Korea

Succession worries for Kim Jong-Il, as North Korea votes

Article published on the 2009-03-08 Latest update 2009-03-08 15:32 TU

Kim Jong-il (L) takes part in assembly elections

North Koreans voted for a new parliament on Sunday, with official reports of a 93.1 percent turnout by 2pm. The South Korean state news agency, Yonhap, reports that the youngest son of the North's leader, Kim Jong-Il, is standing, which has prompted speculation that he is being groomed to succeed his father.

"All the voters are going to the polls to consolidate the people's power as firm as a rock," the North's official KCNA news agency said, quoting the Central Election Commission.

Polling stations stayed open from 9am to 6pm and results are expected to be announced Monday.

Citing anonymous sources, Yonhap said that Kim Jong-Il's 25-year-old son, Kim Jong-Un, is running in the election and that his father wants him to follow him into the top job.

Kim himself succeeded his father, Kim Il-Sung, as supreme leader in 1994. Kim Il-Sung founded North Korea, which is officially known as the Democratic People's Republic of Korea, in 1948.

This weekend's election was held over from last year, probably because of Kim Jong-Il's health. He is reported to have had a stroke and to have made a good recovery but he will be 72 by the time of the next election.

"He doesn’t have a successor in place," says British Korea-analyst Aidan Foster-Carter. 

Pointing out that Kim is now 67, Foster-Carter adds, "His own father had the succession of Kim Jong-Il begun at a much, much earlier age. So, I figure something’s going on."

The incoming assembly is expected to re-elect Kim, who is standing in a military district, as head of the powerful National Defence Commission. After the 1998 and 2003 elections there was a shake-up in ruling circles, so another may take place this year.