ABSTRACT
Under the Constitution of 1972, the highest organ of state power is the unicameral Supreme People's Assembly (SPA), with 687 members, elected (unopposed) for five years by universal adult suffrage. The State Affairs Commission (SAC) is the highest executive organ of state power. The SPA elects the President (Chairman) of the SAC, who, as the Supreme Leader who represents the state, holds the most senior accessible office of state. The SPA elects the Premier and, on the latter's recommendation, appoints other cabinet ministers. The SPA Presidium, the members of which are elected by the SPA, is the highest organ of state power when the SPA is not in session.
