North Korea's rubberstamp parliament, the Supreme People's Assembly, held its second meeting of the year on Thursday.<br />The North announced... that the assembly is changing the constitution to further strengthen Kim Jong-un's legal power.<br />There was, however, no message on the regime's stalled denuclearization talks with the United States.<br />Oh Jung-hee reports.<br />North Korean leader Kim Jong-un is further cementing his already hefty grip on power.<br />On Thursday, Pyeongyang's state-run Korean Central Television revealed the results of the North's rubberstamp parliament's meeting held earlier in the day.<br />It said the Supreme People's Assembly modified parts of constitution to strengthen the authority of Kim Jong-un and the State Affairs Commission the North Korean government's top-decision making body, which is headed by Kim.<br />Three major changes were made.<br />First, the Chairman of the State Affairs Commission, who is Kim Jong-un, does not double as a member of the parliament.<br />Second, Kim proclaims the assembly's various legislation and makes the key decisions at the State Affairs Commission.<br />Lastly, Kim can appoint or dismiss North Korea's diplomatic envoys to other countries.<br />"Therefore, the Chairman of the State Affairs Commission, who represents our country, now has stronger legal status and his leadership is firmly guaranteed."<br />Kim Jong-un is now considered completely separate from the assembly as the regime's 'leader' only.<br />Plus, Kim now designates overseas envoys, which in the past was done by the Chairman of the Presidium of the Supreme People's Assembly.<br />This means even greater power in Kim's hands,... adding to his status as the 'ceremonial leader of the state' that was granted at the North's previous parliamentary session in April.<br />Because the meeting took place amid no signs of working-level negotiations between Pyeongyang and Washington,... there was speculation Kim Jong-un could give a speech to clarify his stance on talks with the U.S., like he did in April.<br />However, that didn't happen... as Kim didn't appear at Thursday's session.<br />The regime's five-year economic development plan, which is due in 2020, doesn't seem to have been covered either.<br />Oh Jung-hee, Arirang News.<br /><br />
