The results of the North Korean Supreme People’s Assembly (SPA) elections on March 10 were notable for a number of reasons.

First, most of the highest-level officials in the North Korean leadership hierarchy were reelected or newly elected, signaling continuity in the country’s top leadership.

Second, officials who play a key role or are involved in North Korean diplomatic outreach toward the U.S. and South Korea were elected to the parliament for the first time, indicating Kim Jong Un’s interest in continuing talks with Washington and maintaining his South Korea policy.[/p