Hi Global Recap readers,
When I was younger, I used to argue with friends about why dictatorships even bother holding “elections” at all.
The result’s prewritten, so what’s the point?”
They’d say it’s about legitimacy and saving face: a story people can’t easily challenge, because no ordinary person can verify every ballot.
And it manufactures a fake sense of consensus.
I used to think that was all BS. However, over time, I’ve had to admit they were right, no matter how absurd the official story is. 👇🏼
An article from 2014, regarding Kim Jong Un’s “re-election.” Here’s the first paragraph from the article: “The North Korean leader Kim Jong-un has been unanimously re-elected to the country’s parliament after every single eligible person in his constituency turned out to vote – with only his name on the ballot paper.”
🇰🇵 NORTH KOREA
Kim Reelected,
Predictable Surprise
Just imagine an alternate universe where Kim is voted out at the ballot box. After all, North Korea’s official name is the “Democratic People’s Republic of Korea.”
Click for video
Kim Jong Un was "reelected" as the ruling Workers' Party's general secretary at a Pyongyang congress.
South Korea’s Unification Ministry: "predictable."
Mandate. On Sunday, Feb 22, delegates reelected Kim to the party’s top post, with state media describing it as the “unshakable will” and unanimous desire of thousands of attendees.
Roster. The congress also released a new 138-member Central Committee roster that:
replaced dozens, including the 76-year-old head of the Supreme People’s Assembly, Choe Ryong Hae, and left out military marshals Pak Jong Chon and Ri Pyong Chol.
removed senior figures tied to past inter-Korean diplomacy, including Kim Yong Chol and Ri Son Gwon.
Signals. China’s Xi Jinping sent his congratulations. In his message, President Xi reaffirmed the strong ties between China and North Korea and expressed commitment to deepening their strategic alignment amid shifting global dynamics.
📌 Context. The Workers’ Party congress, held on a five-year cycle since 2016, is where Pyongyang stages leadership votes and sets political and military goals for the next stretch. Kim has held the top party job throughout his rule, even as the title itself has shifted over time.
🇰🇷 SOUTH KOREA
Seoul Pushes
Russian Banner Down
South Korea is pressing the Russian embassy in Seoul to take down a giant wartime slogan banner, framing it as an illegal-war message planted in the middle of the capital ahead of key anniversary optics.
Trigger. South Korea's foreign ministry says it asked the Russian embassy in Seoul to remove a banner that reads "victory will be ours," just as the fourth anniversary of Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine hits on February 24, 2026.
Display. The banner is about 15 meters (49 ft.) long, in red, blue, and white, with the message written in Russian. It is hard to miss and that is the point.
Officials did not say whether Moscow has agreed.
That said, it was still visible after the request.
Position. South Korea is tying the removal request to its core legal argument that Russia's invasion is "an illegal act."
It is also pairing that with a warning about Russia-North Korea military cooperation as a violation of the UN Charter and UN Security Council resolutions that threatens South Korea's security.
📌 Context. Seoul has backed Ukraine's sovereignty, joined US-led sanctions on Moscow, and sent humanitarian and financial support to Kyiv while avoiding direct arms transfers under its policy against supplying weapons to countries actively engaged in conflict.
Separately, it is reportedly weighing participation in NATO's Prioritized Ukraine Requirements List initiative, a route that could facilitate supplying US arms to Ukraine through allies.
🇮🇸 ICELAND
EU Referendum
Accelerated
Iceland's government is weighing an early referendum on EU relations, with a vote potentially pulled forward to August after rising geopolitical pressure and political momentum.
The trigger seems to be: tariffs.
Shift. Reykjavik had been set to hold a referendum by 2027 on whether to restart EU membership talks, but officials cited in reports now expect parliament to set a date within weeks, with August being discussed.
Pressure. Analysts believe that US President Trump's move to impose tariffs on Iceland and his stated desire to annex Greenland seems to have rattled leaders in Reykjavik.
Iceland's FM Þorgerður Katrín Gunnarsdóttir, has openly urged acceleration, saying, "I hope that this will happen sooner rather than later."
Reality. Iceland is already deeply plugged into Europe through the European Economic Area and the Schengen free-travel zone.
Interestingly, it is also a founding NATO member without its own army, relying on US security guarantees.
📌 Context. Iceland has circled the EU question for more than a decade, juggling between economic pragmatism and sovereignty concerns, especially around fisheries.
Iceland applied to join the EU in 2009 after the 2008 financial crisis and opened formal negotiations in 2010, then a center-right government suspended talks in 2013 and asked to withdraw the application in 2015.
🇪🇺 EUROPEAN UNION
Hungary Freezes Aid
Slovakia Cuts Help
Slovakian PM Robert Fico (left) and Hungarian PM Viktor Orbán (right).
EU leaders say Hungary is holding up fresh Russia sanctions and a major Ukraine loan.
Poland’s PM, Donald Tusk, called Hungary’s move "political sabotage."
Standoff. EU governments tried and failed on February 23, 2026, to get Hungarian PM Orbán’s administration to sign off on the next sanctions package against Moscow and a €90 billion loan meant to support Ukraine’s military and finances.
Optics. The timing is brutal because February 24 marks four years since Russia invaded Ukraine, and top officials are expected in Kyiv, including UK foreign secretary Cooper and European Commission President von der Leyen.
Leverage. Hungary says it will not back more sanctions until Ukraine restarts oil shipments through the Druzhba pipeline, a key artery for Hungarian oil supply.
Slovakian PM Fico also said on Monday he was cutting emergency power supply to Ukraine, also pointing to the oil halt.
Claims. Ukraine blames Russia for the disruption, saying Russian strikes damaged the pipeline network last month. Meanwhile, Hungarian FM Szijjártó accused Kyiv of acting "in a very hostile manner."
📌 Context. A World Bank estimate published Monday put Ukraine’s rebuilding needs at $588 billion, up 12% from last year.
