North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has been re-elected as chairman of the State Affairs Commission, the communist state’s highest seat of power, in a key parliamentary meeting, state media reported Friday.
The North’s Premier Pak Pong Ju has also been replaced with Kim Jae Ryong, a senior member of the ruling Workers’ Party of Korea, during the first session of the 14th Supreme People’s Assembly (SPA) on Thursday, the Korean Central News Agency said.
“The election of the Supreme Leader as chairman of the State Affairs Commission (SAC) of the DPRK is the great political event of crucial historical significance,” the KCNA said.
Kim was elected to the post first in June 2016, when the commission was created through an amendment to the constitution. Though it has been only three years since the election, his new five-year term should technically start with the beginning of the newly formed parliament.
Chinese President Xi Jinping sent a congratulatory message for Kim’s re-election, emphasizing the friendly ties between the two neighbors, according to the Xinhua news agency.
Thursday’s session drew keen attention as it would determine the new makeup of the country’s leadership. The latest personnel reshuffle appears to be aimed at consolidating Kim’s power.
In the parliamentary meeting, North Korea’s nominal head of state, Kim Yong Nam, was replaced by Choe Ryong Hae. The 91-year-old Kim had served as president of the Presidium of the SPA since 1998.
Choe, known as No. 2 and a close aide to leader Kim, will also take the post of first vice chairman of the SAC, apparently bolstering his influence on the country’s diplomacy. Under his wing come top nuclear negotiator Kim Yong Chol and others involved in February’s summit with the United States, who were elected to members of the SAC.