Kim Jong-il, the North Korean leader, has been re-elected to the country's parliament in elections that have been closely watched for hints as to his possible successor.
In an unsurprising result Kim was re-elected by voters in Constituency 333 with 100 per cent support, the official KCNA news agency said on Monday.
The report said voters renewed their "unshakable determination to devotedly safeguard" the North Korean leader.
The national elections, which took place on Sunday, have been closely watched by outside observers amid speculation it may provide some indications as to Kim's potential successor.
A full list of legislators to the rubber stamp 12th Supreme People's Assembly is expected to be released later on Monday.
The body meets only a few times a year to approve bills already vetted by the ruling party Workers' Party.
Assembly elections are largely a formality since candidates are widely believed to be hand-picked by Kim and top party officials. Only one candidate runs in each constituency and defectors say opposing a candidate is unthinkable.
Successor
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| This photo is believed to be of Kim Jong-un aged 11 [Reuters/KBS] |
Kim, 67, is believed to have suffered a stroke last August and South Korean reports have said Sunday's election may be a prelude to an announcement on who will take over the leadership.
Some reports have named the North Korean leader's third son, 26-year-old Kim Jong-un, as a possible successor.
Little is known about Jong-un's background or experience, although he is thought to have been named as a candidate in Sunday's election.
Analysts have said his appointment to the people's assembly would be a strong sign that he is poised to inherit power.
He is believed to have been educated at a school in Switzerland which he attended under a pseudonym.
No official photograph of him has ever been released and only one image, said to have been taken of Jong-un when he was aged 11, is in circulation.