Seoul  - North Korea's newly elected parliament is to hold its first session on April 9, the state-run Korean Central News Agency said Friday, publishing a date that comes shortly after a planned launch eyed with concern by the West.

In March 8 elections, which were widely regarded as a farce by Western powers, 686 candidates handpicked by the ruling communist Workers' Party of Korea were elected, among them North Korean leader Kim Jong Il, who reportedly received 100 per cent of the vote.

Pyongyang last week announced plans to launch an "experimental" communications satellite from April 4 to 8, a move believed to be a smokescreen for testing a long-rang missile theoretically capable of reaching US territory. The United States, Japan and South Korea voiced their concerns over the plans.

Kim was expected to be confirmed as chairman of the powerful National Defence Commission in the upcoming session of the Supreme People's Assembly. Analysts said they believe the elections are a sign that Kim, 67, who allegedly suffered a stroke in August, has recovered and is firmly in the seat of power.

Parliamentary elections in North Korea are a mere formality as voters can only approve or reject one party- or regime-vetted candidate per constituency.

The assembly usually meets twice a year for a few days, its main purpose to rubber-stamp party decisions. (dpa)