Choe Ryong Hae is now the nominal head of state of North Korea. One month after the state-led parliamentary election, the Supreme People's Assembly elected Deputy Ruler Kim Jong Un as Chairman of Parliament's Presidency, state media said Friday.
Choe replaces the 91-year-old Kim Yong Nam, who was considered in this position for many years as a nominal head of state and "foreign policy face" of the country. Unlike Kim Yong Nam, who was not considered a decision maker, Choe is seen as a political heavyweight. South Korean media described him last year as the number two behind Kim Jong Us. Because of his high age in recent years, Kim Yong Nams has repeatedly speculated about her release.
Kim Jong Un was, as expected, confirmed at the meeting of the People's Assembly on Thursday as chairman of the State Affairs Committee and thus in the highest state post. His election was a "major political event of important historical significance," it said. Observers see the election as another cementation of Kim's dictatorial power.
At the meetings of the People's Chamber convened only once or twice a year, decisions of the ruling Workers' Party are largely ratified. At the March election, all 687 candidates received 100 percent approval, according to official sources. In each constituency there is normally only one candidate previously nominated by the party.