<\/p>\n\n\n<\/noscript><\/p>\nThis undated and unlocated picture released from North Korea\u2019s official Korean Central News Agency (KCNA)on June 23, 2019 shows North Korean leader Kim Jong Un reading a personal letter from President of the United States of America Donald Trump. (Photo by KCNA VIA KNS \/ KCNA VIA KNS \/ AFP) \/ \u2013 South Korea OUT \/\u00a0<\/p>\n<\/div>\nNorth Korean leader Kim Jong Un voted in nationwide local elections on Sunday that registered the near 100 percent turnout claimed for every ballot held in the nuclear-armed state.<\/p>\nGiven the absence of any competition among candidates, elections in the North are essentially a political ritual which, observers say, allows the authorities to claim a popular mandate while reinforcing loyalty to Kim\u2019s regime.<\/p>\nThe 99.98 percent turnout this year was a 0.01 percent improvement on the figures registered in 2015.<\/p>\nOnly those overseas \u201con foreign tour or working in oceans\u201d were unable to vote, the North\u2019s state-run agency KCNA reported Sunday, adding that even \u201cvoters troubled with ageing or illness cast their ballots into mobile ballot boxes\u201d.<\/p>\nThe isolated nation holds local elections every four years to elect representatives to provincial, city and county assemblies. Typically, 99 percent of voters in the de facto single-party state take part in the polls and 99 percent of them cast \u201cyes\u201d votes for uncontested candidates.<\/p>\nThe regime touts the high turnout as an example of its \u201csingle-minded unity\u201d to glorify the \u201cKorean-style people-centred socialism\u201d.<\/p>\nKim visited a polling station in North Hamgyong province and voted for two candidates \u2013- named Ju Song Ho and Jong Song Sik -\u2013 running for county assemblies in the area, KCNA reported.<\/p>\nHe \u201cwarmly encouraged them to become the faithful servants of the people by fulfilling their duties so as to live up to the anticipation of the people, being aware of being the representatives of the people\u201d, KCNA said.<\/p>\nKim himself ran in 2014 for the rubber-stamp legislature known as the Supreme People\u2019s Assembly, managing a perfect turnout with 100 percent of votes in his favour.<\/p>\n<\/article>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t<\/p><\/div>\n
\n<\/noscript><\/p>\nThis undated and unlocated picture released from North Korea\u2019s official Korean Central News Agency (KCNA)on June 23, 2019 shows North Korean leader Kim Jong Un reading a personal letter from President of the United States of America Donald Trump. (Photo by KCNA VIA KNS \/ KCNA VIA KNS \/ AFP) \/ \u2013 South Korea OUT \/\u00a0<\/p>\n<\/div>\nNorth Korean leader Kim Jong Un voted in nationwide local elections on Sunday that registered the near 100 percent turnout claimed for every ballot held in the nuclear-armed state.<\/p>\nGiven the absence of any competition among candidates, elections in the North are essentially a political ritual which, observers say, allows the authorities to claim a popular mandate while reinforcing loyalty to Kim\u2019s regime.<\/p>\nThe 99.98 percent turnout this year was a 0.01 percent improvement on the figures registered in 2015.<\/p>\nOnly those overseas \u201con foreign tour or working in oceans\u201d were unable to vote, the North\u2019s state-run agency KCNA reported Sunday, adding that even \u201cvoters troubled with ageing or illness cast their ballots into mobile ballot boxes\u201d.<\/p>\nThe isolated nation holds local elections every four years to elect representatives to provincial, city and county assemblies. Typically, 99 percent of voters in the de facto single-party state take part in the polls and 99 percent of them cast \u201cyes\u201d votes for uncontested candidates.<\/p>\nThe regime touts the high turnout as an example of its \u201csingle-minded unity\u201d to glorify the \u201cKorean-style people-centred socialism\u201d.<\/p>\nKim visited a polling station in North Hamgyong province and voted for two candidates \u2013- named Ju Song Ho and Jong Song Sik -\u2013 running for county assemblies in the area, KCNA reported.<\/p>\nHe \u201cwarmly encouraged them to become the faithful servants of the people by fulfilling their duties so as to live up to the anticipation of the people, being aware of being the representatives of the people\u201d, KCNA said.<\/p>\nKim himself ran in 2014 for the rubber-stamp legislature known as the Supreme People\u2019s Assembly, managing a perfect turnout with 100 percent of votes in his favour.<\/p>\n<\/article>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t<\/p><\/div>\n
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