Kim Jung-il Reelected As Chairman of National Defense Commission

North Korea`s Supreme People`s Assembly Wednesday reelected Kim Jong-il as chairman of the National Defense Commission at its 11th plenary session held at Mansudae Assembly Hall in Pyongyang.

The North`s legislature approved Kim`s third term in the key post for the next five years as it did in 1993 and 1998.

North Korea`s media, including the Korean Central News Agency (KCNA), reported with one accord, “We have named Kim Jong-il chairman of the National Defense Commission during the first meeting of the 11th session of the Supreme People`s Assembly at a grandiose, historical turning point, opening a new era for the Juche revolution under the banner of the military.”

They said the re-election shows the military`s absolute support for the leader, “It is also an epoch-making event in which our army and people manifested their determination and belief to build a powerful nation and to fight against all the challenges and (the U.S.) hostile policy against our country.”

Announced in urgent reports by all of the North`s media outlets, the election had been anticipated.

In addition, North Korea`s Supreme People`s Assembly said that it would come up with follow up measures to the six-way talks on the North`s nuclear programs that ended August 29 in Beijing, China, adding, “We support all statements by the foreign ministry made during and after the multilateral talks.”

Although the Supreme People`s Assembly didn`t elaborate on follow-up measures, North Korea experts estimate that the North will take a tougher stance against the US which it thinks has taken a hostile policy toward the communist country.

The Wednesday`s convention with North Korean leader Kim Jung-il attending also named the North`s Chemical Industry Minister Pak Pong-ju the new prime minister, replacing Hong Song-nam.

Seung-Ryun Kim srkim@donga.com