North Korea's Supreme People's Assembly had its first meeting on Thursday,.... re-electing leader Kim Jong-un as chairman of the regime's powerful State Affairs Commission.<br />And there's also been a bit of change made to the cabinet and parliament.<br />Oh Jung-hee reports. <br />Reshuffles in North Korea's power structure, but one in which Kim Jong-un maintains his solid grip on power.<br />North Korea's Supreme People's Assembly -- the regime's rubberstamp parliament that was newly formed last month -- held its first meeting on Thursday, Pyeongyang's state-run Korean Central News Agency reports.<br />Kim Jong-un was re-elected as the Chairman of the State Affairs Commission -- the North Korean government's top policy-making body.<br />Those deeply involved in nuclear negotiations with the U.S. -- the top negotiator Kim Yong-chol, Foreign Minister Ri Yong-ho, and Vice Foreign Minister Choe Son-hui -- all became members of the State Affairs Commission.<br />And North Korea replaced its Premier of the cabinet from Pak Pong-ju to Kim Jae-ryong.<br />But what's noteworthy is Choe Ryong-hae's rise -- he earned two major positions, each in the government and the parliament.<br />With Kim Yong-nam stepping down from his role as President of the parliament's Presidium, Choe Ryong-hae is now in charge of that.<br />At the same time, the North's newly-created post of the first vice-chairman of the State Affairs Commission was handed to Choe as well.<br />"There aren't major changes in North Korea's governing structure, but it seems seniors are leaving and a generational shift is taking place. North Korea's State Affairs Commission is also expanding its size,... by creating the first vice-chairman post and increasing its members."<br />Pyeongyang's state-run media says North Korea modified its Constitution, but didn't disclose the details.<br />And North Korea's parliament echoed the ruling party's decision earlier this week... that the country will have to build a self-supporting economy.<br />The Supreme People's Assembly meeting is continuing on Friday.<br />It's the first time in 19 years... that North Korea is holding its parliamentary meeting for more than a day.<br />Oh Jung-hee, Arirang News. <br />
