Guess who’s decided to stand as a candidate for Constituency No. 649 in the

upcoming elections for deputies to the 11th Supreme People’s Assembly of

North Korea? Yes, it’s that indefatigable old campaigner Kim Jong-Il! In

an open letter to voters, Kim professes “heartfelt thanks” for the “deep

trust” they have placed in him.

In related news, the Korean Central News Agency reports that “Palestinian

President Yasser Arafat sent a floral basket to the statue of President Kim

Il Sung on Mansu Hill on the occasion of his 9th death anniversary. The

floral basket was laid before his statue by Palestinian ambassador to the

DPRK Shaher Mohammed Abdlah on July 7. Written on the ribbon of the floral

basket were letters ‘H.E. The Great Leader Kim Il Sung Will Be Immortal.’”