North Korea’s leader Kim Jong-un has been declared the overwhelming winner of the country’s 2026 parliamentary elections, with state authorities announcing that he secured 99.93% of the total votes cast.
The nationwide poll, conducted on March 15, was held to choose representatives for the 15th Supreme People’s Assembly. Officials reported an almost complete voter turnout, placing participation at just under 100%.
State-run media, including the Korean Central News Agency (KCNA), said all candidates backed by the ruling Workers’ Party of Korea achieved near-total victory, reinforcing the dominance of the current leadership.
Figures released by the country’s election commission showed that only 0.07% of ballots were marked invalid or against the approved candidates, making it the strongest level of support recorded in recent election cycles.
Authorities portrayed the outcome as a reflection of national unity and loyalty, describing it as clear evidence of the people’s unwavering support for Kim Jong-un’s leadership.
However, critics outside the country have again rejected the credibility of the vote, pointing to the lack of opposition participation and the controlled voting environment, where secrecy is widely believed to be absent.
The newly elected legislature is expected to convene later this month to formalize key appointments and endorse major policy decisions already determined by the government.
