How does the Supreme People’s Assembly function in North Korea’s government?

The Supreme People’s Assembly (SPA) is constitutionally defined as the highest organ of state power and the primary legislative body in North Korea. It consists of a single chamber with 687 members elected to five-year terms by universal adult suffrage.12

The SPA functions through the following mechanisms:

• Legislative and Administrative Duties: The assembly is responsible for appointing members of the cabinet, including the premier and vice-premiers.1
• The SPA Presidium: Because the SPA meets only once or twice a year for sessions lasting about a week, it utilizes a 15-member SPA Presidium (Standing Committee). The Presidium handles most day-to-day legislative business and serves as the highest organ of power when the assembly is not in session, though it remains accountable to the SPA.1
• Political Context: While the SPA holds constitutional authority, political power is effectively held by the Korean Workers’ Party (KWP). The KWP controls the electoral system and candidate selection, ensuring that the assembly functions within the party's policies and one-man leadership structure.1