SEOUL (Reuters) - In a surprising move, North Korea acknowledged the existence of dissenting votes in its recent local elections, a rare occurrence in the reclusive and highly controlled authoritarian state. However, analysts are dismissing this as an attempt by the regime to project an image of a normal society rather than indicating any meaningful increase in rights.

The leader of North Korea, Kim Jong Un, has long been accused of maintaining absolute power through a system of patronage and repression. The country's parliament and regional councils have served as mere rubber stamps for the ruling Workers' Party, with voter turnout regularly registering over 99%.

Sunday's election for deputies to regional people's assemblies saw an unprecedented 0.09% and 0.13% voting against the selected candidates for provincial and city councils respectively, according to the North's state media. The state news agency KCNA reported that 99.91% voted for candidates for deputies to provincial people's assemblies, while 99.87% voted for candidates for deputies to city and county people's assemblies.

These dissenting votes mark the first acknowledgement of opposition in local polls since the 1960s, as confirmed by an official at South Korea's unification ministry. It is important to note that North Korea revised its election law in August to allow multiple candidates in this election, a change aimed at presenting a more democratic facade.

Experts from the Asia Pacific Foundation of Canada think tank believe that the regime's portrayal of a more democratic society, particularly in comparison to South Korea and the United States, is a deliberate move to reinforce its legitimacy and authenticity on the world stage.

Despite the small number of dissenting votes, speculation remains about the true extent of state control in North Korea. The photo released by state media showing Kim Jong Un casting a ballot showcased two boxes: a green one for approval and a red one for dissent. However, analysts caution that discreet voting is likely to remain limited as the monitoring of the boxes will continue to be conspicuous. Furthermore, the selection process for candidates is expected to remain tightly controlled by Pyongyang.

Interestingly, voter turnout for this election slightly decreased to 99.63% compared to 99.98% in the previous election, according to analysts. This minor decline is seen by some as an indication of a potential weakening in state control in a country where voting is considered mandatory.

In summary, while the revelation of dissenting votes in North Korea's recent local elections may initially seem like a step towards increased rights, experts remain skeptical. The highly controlled nature of the regime and the parallel questioning of the extent of state control suggest that the acknowledgment of opposition is more likely a calculated move to maintain international legitimacy rather than a genuine democratization effort.