A look at politics in North Korea

A look at North Korea's main political bodies and the 12th Supreme People's Assembly, which met Monday.

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PARLIAMENT: The Supreme People's Assembly is a rubber-stamp legislature that usually meets once a year; 687 deputies, including leader Kim Jong Il, were elected last year to five-year terms. Many legislators also hold top government positions.

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NATIONAL DEFENSE COMMISSION: Atop the government hierarchy, it oversees the 1.2 million-member military, formulates key defense policy, appoints top military brass and can issue mobilization orders. Under his "songun," or "military first" policy, Kim has ruled the …