Kim's absence from North Korean parliament spurs speculation

This marks the first in country's history, but leader's position is unchallenged

North Korea says it is fully committed to denuclearization, at least officially. © KCNA via Reuters

TSUYOSHI NAGASAWA, KENICHI YAMADA and YOSUKE ONCHI, Nikkei staff writers

March 13, 2019 05:04 JST

SEOUL/WASHINGTON -- Leader Kim Jong Un will not serve in North Korea's newly elected legislative body, an unprecedented turn of events that set off speculation about his intentions for a new leadership structure, though experts agree his grip on power remains firm.

Kim was not among the 687 members of the new Supreme People's Assembly announced Tuesday by the state-run Korean Central News Agency. Kim, who was elected to the legislature both in 2012 and 2014, apparently chose not to sit on the rubber-stamp body this time.