North Korea

NKorea Makes Rare Note of Dissenting Votes in Recent Election

Published NOV 28 2023

Story

Image credit: Chung Sung-Jun/Getty Images News via Getty Images (Aug. 24, 2023)

The Facts

In a rare move, North Korea on Tuesday made note of dissenting votes in the country’s recent elections. It was the first time the North mentioned dissenting votes in local elections since the 1960s, according to a South Korean unification ministry official handling relations with the North.
US News & World Report
According to state media Korean Central News Agency (KCNA), 0.09% of voters in provincial assembly elections and 0.13% of voters in city and county assembly elections voted against the ruling Workers' Party's selected candidates in Sunday's elections.
FOX News
Supreme leader Kim Jong Un’s Workers' Party has ruled over North Korea since the country’s government was formed in 1948. Sunday's election was the North’s first since it implemented election reforms in August that allowed multiple candidates to run for office.
FOX News
Western analysts have dismissed the move, calling it a paltry attempt to portray North Korea as a more democratic society. These analysts suggest that the Kim regime is looking to increase its legitimacy on the global stage.
Reuters
However, the Asia Pacific Foundation of Canada says that election data reported by the Workers’ Party is unreliable and that the move to allow multiple candidates on the ballot does little to alter power dynamics in the country.
FOX News
The parliamentary elections registered over 99% turnout according to election data, and North Korea holds such elections every four years.
The Times of India

Sources Split

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The Spin

Pro-North Korea narrative

North Korea held extremely successful regional elections that represented the will of the people and signified the consensus supporting the Workers' Party. The independent electorate of North Korea made their voices heard and expressed full faith in their government. Despite Western portrayals, North Korea gives its citizens options in elections, and the people have spoken.

KCNA Watch

Anti-North Korea narrative

North Korea’s attempt to say that it acknowledges any dissent is an ineffective attempt to portray any semblance of a normal society. Reporting "dissent" at less than 0.2% is completely disingenuous, and the North continues to be an autocratic and authoritarian state. This acknowledgment of "opposing votes" means nothing.