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.
And there's also been a bit of change made to the cabinet and parliament.
Oh Jung-hee reports.
Reshuffles in North Korea's power structure, but one in which Kim Jong-un maintains his solid grip on power.
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.
Kim Jong-un was re-elected as the Chairman of the State Affairs Commission -- the North Korean government's top policy-making body.
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.
And North Korea replaced its Premier of the cabinet from Pak Pong-ju to Kim Jae-ryong.
But what's noteworthy is Choe Ryong-hae's rise -- he earned two major positions, each in the government and the parliament.
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.
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.
"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."
Pyeongyang's state-run media says North Korea modified its Constitution, but didn't disclose the details.
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.
The Supreme People's Assembly meeting is continuing on Friday.
It's the first time in 19 years... that North Korea is holding its parliamentary meeting for more than a day.
Oh Jung-hee, Arirang News.
