NKorea Makes Rare Note of Dissenting Votes in Recent Election
The Facts
In a rare move, North Korea on Tuesday made note of dissenting votes in the country’s recent elections. It was the first time the North mentioned dissenting votes in local elections since the 1960s, according to a South Korean unification ministry official handling relations with the North.
According to state media Korean Central News Agency (KCNA), 0.09% of voters in provincial assembly elections and 0.13% of voters in city and county assembly elections voted against the ruling Workers' Party's selected candidates in Sunday's elections.
The Spin
Pro-North Korea narrative
North Korea held extremely successful regional elections that represented the will of the people and signified the consensus supporting the Workers' Party. The independent electorate of North Korea made their voices heard and expressed full faith in their government. Despite Western portrayals, North Korea gives its citizens options in elections, and the people have spoken.
Anti-North Korea Narrative
North Korea’s attempt to say that it acknowledges any dissent is an ineffective attempt to portray any semblance of a normal society. Reporting "dissent" at less than 0.2% is completely disingenuous, and the North continues to be an autocratic and authoritarian state. This acknowledgment of "opposing votes" means nothing.
