North Korea held a symbolic 2026 election with near-universal support for Kim Jong-un’s candidates, setting the stage for his re-election and constitutional changes.

North Korea held its 2026 Supreme People's Assembly elections on March 15, with state media reporting 99.93% approval for candidates backed by Kim Jong-un’s Workers’ Party, though the vote is widely seen as a non-competitive, state-managed ritual. A turnout of 99.99% was claimed, and 0.07% of ballots were reportedly cast against the slate, a symbolic gesture. Over 70% of deputies were replaced, signaling a leadership reshuffle, with key figures like Kim Yo-jong and Foreign Minister Choe Son-hui included. The new assembly, set to convene on March 22, is expected to formally re-elect Kim as head of the State Affairs Commission and consider constitutional revisions, possibly codifying North Korea’s hostile stance toward South Korea.