PYONGYANG -- The First Session of the 12th Supreme People's Assembly of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) elected leader Kim Jong Il as chairman of the DPRK National Defence Commission (NDC) on Thursday, the official Korean Central News Agency reported.

"The session solemnly declared internally and externally that Kim Jong Il... was elected chairman of the NDC of the DPRK, reflecting the unanimous will and wishes of all the service persons and people." KCNA said.

The DPRK's parliament was elected last month.

Rodong Sinmun, newspaper of the ruling party, said the meeting is "a milestone in strengthening and developing the republic's administration into a powerful revolutionary regime."

South Korea's Yonhap said the assembly meeting started at 10:00 am (0100 GMT).