North Korea cites rare dissent in elections even as 99% back candidates

By Soo-hyang Choi SEOUL (Reuters) - North Korea on Tuesday made a rare mention of dissenting votes in recent elections, although analysts dismissed it as an attempt to portray an image of a normal society rather than signalling any meaningful increase of rights in the authoritarian state. The reclusive North has one of the most highly controlled societies in the world, with leader Kim Jong Un accused of using a system of patronage and repression to retain absolute power. Reporting on the results of Sunday's election for deputies to regional people's assemblies, the North's state media said 0.0...