DPRK to convene fifth session of SPA in April

PYONGYANG - The Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) decided to convene the fifth session of the 13th Supreme People's Assembly (SPA) here on April 11, the official news agency KCNA reported Wednesday.

The decision was made Tuesday by the Presidium of the SPA, the KCNA said in a brief dispatch without giving details.

The SPA, the highest legislative body of the DPRK, is convened once or twice a year.

The first session of the 13th SPA, which was held in April 2014, re-elected top leader Kim Jong Un first chairman of the National Defense Commission, and Pak Pong Ju premier of the DPRK cabinet.

At the fourth session of the 13th SPA last June, Kim was elected chairman of the State Affairs Commission, a newly-created institution to replace the National Defense Commission. The session also revised the Constitution.

The SPA, which acts as the DPRK's parliament, has the power to adopt, amend or supplement enactments to the constitution, determine state policies and budgets, and adjust the leadership.

The 13th SPA elected 687 deputies across the country in March 2014, who are set to serve a five-year term.