North Korea parliament session held without supreme leader Kim Jong Un

Seoul, April 10: North Korea has held an annual parliamentary session without its supreme leader Kim Jong-un, Efe news agency reported citing a report on Friday.

Kim Jong-un was expected to appear at the annual session of the North Korean Supreme People's Assembly on Thursday, but did not.

The KCTV state television on Wednesday showed Kim with what appeared to be a bandage on his right wrist, although it was not known if this was related to his absence.

A South Korean government representative told Efe that the most likely reason for Kim's absence was the lack of major political appointments or important policy changes slated for the session.

However, during the session, spending in this year's budget was increased by 5.5 percent.

The budget increase will serve "to increase national power" and "to develop science and technology", said the official KCNA news agency on Friday.

Kim has participated in all previous sessions since coming to power in late 2011, except one special session held last September where his absence was attributed to health problems.

The North Korean parliament usually holds annual sessions in March or April.

The main function of the Supreme People's Assembly is to endorse the decisions made by the Workers Party, led by Kim.

IANS