President of the State Affairs of North Korea

Head of state of North Korea since 2016

Not to be confused with President of North Korea or Chairman of the Standing Committee of the Supreme People's Assembly.

President of the State Affairs Commission of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea

조선민주주의인민공화국 국무위원장

Emblem of the president of the State Affairs

Flag of the president of the State Affairs

Incumbent
Kim Jong Un

since 29 June 2016

State Affairs Commission of North Korea
Style| Respected Comrade
(domestic)
His Excellency
(diplomatic)
Status| Head of state
Residence| Forbidden City
Ryongsong Residence
Seat| Pyongyang
Nominator| Supreme People's Assembly
Appointer| Supreme People's Assembly
Term length| Five years,
renewable
Constituting instrument| Constitution of North Korea (1972)
Precursor| Chairman of the National Defence Commission
Inaugural holder| Kim Il Sung (as NDC chairman)
Kim Jong Un (as SAC president)
Formation| 28 December 1972 (as NDC chairman)
29 June 2016 (as SAC president)
Deputy| Vice President of the State Affairs
President of the State Affairs of North Korea

Chosŏn'gŭl|

조선민주주의인민공화국 국무위원장

Hancha|

朝鮮民主主義人民共和國國務委員長

Revised Romanization| Joseon minjujuui inmin gonghwaguk gukmu wiwonjang
McCune–Reischauer| Chosŏn minjujuŭi inmin'gonghwaguk kukmu wiwŏnjang

Politics of North Korea

Constitution

* Juche  (state ideology)
* Songun  ("military-first" policy)
* Eternal leaders
* Kim Il Sung
* Kim Jong Il

Workers' Party of Korea

Congress (8th)

* General Secretary and Supreme Leader
* Kim Jong Un
* Personal Secretariat
* Rules
* Central Committee (8th)
* Politburo (8th)
* Presidium (8th)
* Kim Jong Un
* Choe Ryong-hae
* Jo Yong-won
* Kim Tok-hun
* Ri Pyong-chol
* Secretariat (8th)
* Central Military Commission (8th)
* Chairman
* Kim Jong Un
* Vice Chairman
* Ri Yong-gil
* Ri Pyong-chol
* Central Auditing Commission (8th)
* Chairman
* Kim Jae-ryong
* Organization and Guidance Department
* Propaganda and Agitation Department
* United Front Department

Supreme People's Assembly

14th term

* Chairman
* Pak In-chol
* Standing Committee (14th)
* Chairman
* Choe Ryong-hae
* Judiciary
* Central Court (14th)
* President
* Kang Yun-sok
* Central Public Prosecutors (14th)
* Director
* Kim Myong-gil

State Affairs Commission

14th term

* President
* Kim Jong Un
* First Vice President
* Choe Ryong-hae
* Vice President
* Kim Tok-hun

Organizations

* Ministry of National Defense
* Ministry of State Security
* Ministry of Social Security
* National Sports Guidance Committee

Cabinet

14th term

* Premier
* Pak Thae-song
* Vice Premier
* Pak Jong-gun
* Jon Hyon-chol
* Kim Song-ryong
* Ri Song-hak
* Pak Hun
* Ju Chol-gyu

Cabinet Ministries

* Ministry of Sport
* Ministry of Foreign Affairs
* Ministry of Chemical Industry
* Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport
* Ministry of Metal Industry
* Ministry of Machinery Industry
* Ministry of Urban Management
* Ministry of Land, Sea and Maritime Affairs
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* Ministry of External Economic Relations
* Ministry of Education
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* Ministry of Labor
* Ministry of Commerce
* Ministry of Coal Industry
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Elections

* Recent elections

* Parliamentary: 2014
* 2019
* next

* Local: 2015
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Administrative divisions

* First-level

Provinces
Special cities
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cities
Kun  (county)
* Third-level

Eup  (town)
Dong  (neighborhood)
Ri  (village)
Rodongjagu  (workers' district)

Foreign relations

* Ministry of Foreign Affairs

Minister: Choe Son-hui

* * *

* Diplomatic missions of / in North Korea

* * *

* Nationality law
* Passport
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* * *

* Korean conflict
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Related topics

* Censorship
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* Kim family (Ten Principles)
* Propaganda
* Illicit activities
* Law
* Enforcement
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North Korea portal

* Other countries

* v
* t
* e

The President of the State Affairs Commission of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea[1] (Korean: 조선민주주의인민공화국 국무위원장), alternatively styled "President of State Affairs" in official translations, is the supreme leader and head of state of North Korea. The president chairs the State Affairs Commission (SAC), which is the highest leadership institution in North Korea, and serves as the commander-in-chief of the North Korean armed forces.

The North Korean constitution gives the president the power to lead the overall affairs of the state and appoint important state officials. The president also has the power to appoint diplomatic representatives and conclude treaties with other countries. The president can declare a state of emergency, a state of war or a mobilization order and direct the country's national defence during times of war. The president also has absolute control over North Korea's nuclear arsenal.

The president of the State Affairs is elected by the Supreme People's Assembly. The position is held by the general secretary of the Workers’ Party of Korea (WPK), who leads the ruling political party of North Korea and serves as the supreme leader of North Korea. The term of the president is the same as that of the Supreme People's Assembly and has no term limits.

The current president is Kim Jong Un, who took office on 29 June 2016 and was re-elected on 11 April 2019.

## History

[edit]

### Chairman of the National Defence Commission

[edit]

See also: National Defence Commission

The position was first established as the chairman of the National Defence Commission of the Central People's Committee (Korean: 중앙인민위원회 국방위원회 위원장) on 28 December 1972. At that time, the National Defence Commission was a commission subordinate to the Central People's Committee, which was the highest leadership institution in North Korea from 1972 until 1998.

The 1972 North Korean constitution stated that the president of North Korea is also the chairman of the National Defence Commission, as well as the supreme commander of the country's armed forces.[2] Kim Il Sung, who was the president of North Korea, was the chairman of the National Defence Commission from 28 December 1972 until 9 April 1993.

On 9 April 1992, the position became known as the chairman of the National Defence Commission (Korean: 국방위원회 위원장) following the approval of an amendment to the 1972 constitution that made the National Defence Commission into a separate institution from the Central People's Committee. The amendment expanded the chairman's powers to become the head of the highest military leadership institution in North Korea.

The 1992 constitutional amendment no longer required the president to also be the chairman of the National Defence Commission and the supreme commander of the armed forces. This allowed Kim Jong Il, who was Kim Il Sung's designated successor, to be elected as chairman of the National Defence Commission on 9 April 1993. Prior to his election, Kim Jong Il was elected as first vice chairman of the National Defence Commission on 24 May 1990 and became the supreme commander of the Korean People's Army on 24 December 1991.

Following Kim Il Sung's death on 8 July 1994, another constitutional amendment was approved on 5 September 1998 which further expanded the powers of the chairman of the National Defence Commission. The amendment enshrined Kim Il Sung as North Korea's eternal president and abolished the position. While it is not stated by the amended constitution, the National Defence Commission became the de facto highest leadership institution in the country with its chairman holding the highest office of the state.

Despite the 1998 constitutional amendment effectively making the chairman of the National Defence Commission the highest office in North Korea, it did not have the status of head of state. The president of the Presidium of the Supreme People's Assembly was designated as the country's head of state from 1998 until 2019.

On 9 April 2009, the powers of the chairman of the National Defence Commission was expanded through another constitutional amendment. The amendment designated the chairman as the supreme leader of the country. The chairman was given the power to direct all state affairs and conclude important treaties with foreign countries. The chairman can also appoint or dismiss important national defence officials, grant special pardons, declare a state of emergency and a state of war and issue mobilization order.

After his election as chairman of the National Defence Commission in 1993, Kim Jong Il was re-elected in September 1998, September 2003 and April 2009, and served in this position until his death on 17 December 2011.

### First Chairman of the National Defence Commission

[edit]

Following Kim Jong Il's death, the position of chairman of the National Defence Commission remained vacant from December 2011 until April 2012.

A constitutional amendment was approved on 13 April 2012 which enshrined Kim Jong Il as the eternal chairman of the National Defence Commission (Korean: 영원한 국방위원회 위원장). The amendment also created the position of first chairman of the National Defence Commission (Korean: 국방위원회 제1위원장) which was designated as the supreme leader of the country.

Kim Jong Un, who is Kim Jong Il's designated successor, was elected as first chairman of the National Defence Commission on 13 April 2012 and was re-elected in April 2014.

### President of the State Affairs Commission

[edit]

On 29 June 2016, a constitutional amendment was approved by the Supreme People's Assembly that created the State Affairs Commission to replace the National Defence Commission as the highest leadership institution in North Korea. The amendment also created the position of chairman of the State Affairs Commission.

Kim Jong Un was elected as chairman of the State Affairs Commission on 29 June 2016 and was re-elected on 11 April 2019.[3][4]

On 11 April 2019, the constitution was amended to make the chairman of the State Affairs Commission the head of state of North Korea. Another constitutional amendment on 29 August of the same year gave the chairman the power to promulgate the ordinances of the Supreme People's Assembly and the decrees and decisions of the State Affairs Commission and appoint North Korea's diplomatic representatives to foreign countries.[5]

In February 2021, the official English translation for the position was changed to president of the State Affairs [sic]. However, in the Korean-language title, the word 위원장, meaning "chairman", was replaced neither by the word 주석 (used for the office of president of North Korea held by Kim Il Sung between 1972 and 1994) nor by the word 대통령 (used by the president of South Korea).[6]

## Election

[edit]

According to the Constitution, the president of the State Affairs is elected by the Supreme People's Assembly.[7][8] It requires that the election should be according to the "consensus of the entire Korean people".[8]

The election of the president of the State Affairs takes place during a session of the Supreme People's Assembly.[8] The Central Committee of the Workers' Party of Korea sends a proposal to the Supreme People's Assembly for a candidate to be elected as the president. The Central Committee's proposal is introduced to the Supreme People's Assembly by the chairman of its Standing Committee. Then, the Supreme People's Assembly unanimously votes for the candidate. In practice, this position is reserved for the general secretary of the Workers’ Party of Korea, the top leader in the one-party state.

The term of the president of the State Affairs is the same as the term of the Supreme People's Assembly, which is usually five years.[9] The constitution does not set a term limit for the president. The president may not be elected as a deputy to the Supreme People's Assembly.[8] The Supreme People's Assembly has the power to recall the president.[7]

The constitution does not set other qualifications for the president of the State Affairs. As a result, the right to be elected as president is governed by the normal provisions regarding the right to be elected, which are granted to all North Korean citizens who are at least 17 years old.[10]

## Powers

[edit]

### Domestic policy

[edit]

The president of the State Affairs has the power to direct the overall work of the state as the supreme leader of North Korea.[11][12] The president also heads the State Affairs Commission, which is the highest leadership institution in North Korea.[12] The State Affairs Commission is responsible for discussing and deciding on important state policies.[13] The SAC also supervises the execution of the orders of the president and the SAC decrees, decisions and directives.[13] Decisions and directives of state institutions that are contrary to the orders of the president or SAC decrees, decisions and directives can be revoked by the SAC.[13]

### Nominations and appointments

[edit]

The president of the State Affairs has the power to nominate the first vice president, vice president, and members of the State Affairs Commission, who are then elected by the Supreme People's Assembly.[7] The president can also propose for their recall by the Supreme People's Assembly.[7] The president also has the power to appoint or dismiss important state officials.[12] However, the constitution does not state who these important state officials are.

### Legislation

[edit]

The president of the State Affairs can submit an agenda that will be discussed by the Supreme People's Assembly.[14] The commission can also submit an agenda to the Supreme People's Assembly.[14] The president has the power to promulgate ordinances of the Supreme People's Assembly and the SAC decrees, decisions and directives,[12] and to issue orders.[15] Orders of the President of SAC take precedence over the regular laws passed by the Supreme People's Assembly. The State Affairs Commission supervises the execution of these orders.[13]

### Foreign affairs

[edit]

The president of the State Affairs represents North Korea in its foreign relations as its head of state, can conclude major treaties, and can appoint and recall North Korea's diplomatic representatives to foreign countries.[12] Foreign countries address the credentials and recall of their ambassadors to North Korea to the president,[16] although customarily the task of receiving them is delegated to the chairman of the SPA Standing Committee.[17]

### Commander-in-chief

[edit]

The president of the State Affairs is the commander-in-chief of the Armed Forces of North Korea.[18] As commander-in-chief, the president has command of the entire armed forces.[18] The president additionally has "monolithic command" over the nuclear forces of North Korea.[19] The president has the power to declare a state of emergency, a state of war or a mobilization order, and can organize a national defence committee during wartime.[12]

### Other powers

[edit]

The president of the State Affairs Commission can exercise the right to grant special pardon.[12]

## List of office holders

[edit]

Chairman of the National Defence Commission of the Central People's Committee
중앙인민위원회 국방위원회 위원장

No.  | Portrait  | Name
(Birth–Death) | Term of office  | Party  | SPA
Took office | Left office | Time in office
1  |  | Kim Il Sung
김일성
(1912–1994) | 28 December
1972  | 9 April
1992  | 19 years, 103 days  |  | Workers' Party of Korea | 5th
6th
7th
8th
9th
Chairman of the National Defence Commission
국방위원회 위원장
No.  | Portrait  | Name
(Birth–Death) | Term of office  | Party  | SPA
Took office | Left office | Time in office
(1) |  | Kim Il Sung
김일성
(1912–1994) | 9 April
1992  | 9 April
1993  | 1 year, 0 days  |  | Workers' Party of Korea | 9th
2 |  | Kim Jong Il
김정일
(1941–2011)
[20][21][22] | 9 April
1993  | 17 December
2011  | 18 years, 252 days  |  | Workers' Party of Korea
10th
11th
12th
Vacant
(17 December 2011 – 13 April 2012)
First Chairman of the National Defence Commission
국방위원회 제1위원장
No.  | Portrait  | Name
(Birth–Death) | Term of office  | Party  | SPA
Took office | Left office | Time in office
3 |  | Kim Jong Un
김정은
(born 1983)
[23][24] | 13 April
2012  | 29 June
2016  | 4 years, 77 days  |  | Workers' Party of Korea | 12th
13th
President of the State Affairs
국무위원장
No.  | Portrait  | Name
(Birth–Death) | Term of office  | Party  | SPA
Took office | Left office | Time in office
(3) |  | Kim Jong Un
김정은
(born 1983)
[25][26] | 29 June
2016  | Incumbent  | 9 years, 10 days  |  | Workers' Party of Korea | 13th
14th

## Timeline

[edit]

## See also

[edit]

* General Secretary of the Workers' Party of Korea
* Central Military Commission of the Workers' Party of Korea
* Vice President of the State Affairs Commission
* President of South Korea

## References

[edit]

1. ^ Article 100-106, Section 2, Constitution of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea, 2019
2. ^ Kim Il Sung Works 27 January-December 1972. Pyongyang: Foreign Languages Publishing House. 1986. p. 544.
3. ^ "Kim Jong Un Elected as Chairman of DPRK State Affairs Commission". Korean Central News Agency. 30 June 2016. Archived from the original on 18 June 2016. Retrieved 8 April 2020. Alt URL
4. ^ "Supreme Leader Kim Jong Un Elected as Chairman of DPRK State Affairs Commission". Korean Central News Agency. 12 April 2019. Archived from the original on 9 April 2019. Retrieved 8 April 2020. Alt URL
5. ^ "North Korea changes constitution to solidify Kim Jong Un's rule". CNBC. 2019-08-30. Retrieved 2019-12-09.
6. ^ Koh, Byung-joon (17 February 2021). "N.K. state media use 'president' as new English title for leader Kim". Yonhap News Agency. Retrieved 17 February 2021.
7. ^ a b c d Socialist Constitution of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea, Article 91
8. ^ a b c d Socialist Constitution of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea, Article 101
9. ^ Socialist Constitution of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea, Article 102
10. ^ Socialist Constitution of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea, Article 66
11. ^ Socialist Constitution of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea, Article 100
12. ^ a b c d e f g Socialist Constitution of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea, Article 104
13. ^ a b c d Socialist Constitution of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea, Article 110
14. ^ a b Socialist Constitution of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea, Article 95
15. ^ Socialist Constitution of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea, Article 105
16. ^ Hotham, Oliver (9 August 2019). "Reflecting Kim Jong Un's changing role, North Korea shakes up diplomatic protocol". NK News. Retrieved 8 April 2020.
17. ^ Socialist Constitution of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea, Article 117
18. ^ a b Socialist Constitution of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea, Article 103
19. ^ "Rodong Sinmun". www.rodong.rep.kp. Retrieved 2022-09-10.
20. ^ "Kim Jong Il elected Chairman of DPRK National Defence Commission". KCNA Watch. 5 September 1998.
21. ^ "Kim Jong Il Reelected Chairman of DPRK National Defence Commission". KCNA Watch. 3 September 2003.
22. ^ "Kim Jong Il Elected Chairman of NDC of DPRK". KCNA Watch. 9 April 2009.
23. ^ "Kim Jong Un Elected First Chairman of NDC of DPRK". KCNA Watch. 13 April 2012.
24. ^ "Kim Jong Un Elected First Chairman of NDC of DPRK". KCNA Watch. 9 April 2014.
25. ^ "Kim Jong Un Elected as Chairman of DPRK State Affairs Commission". KCNA Watch. 30 June 2016.
26. ^ "Supreme Leader Kim Jong Un Elected as Chairman of DPRK State Affairs Commission". KCNA Watch. 12 April 2019.

* v
* t
* e

Supreme People's Assembly

Leaders|

| Standing Committee Chairman|

* Kim Tu-bong (1948–57)
* Choe Yong-gon (1957–72)
* Hwang Jang-yop (1972–83)
* Yang Hyong-sop (1983–98)
* Kim Yong-nam (1998–19)
* Choe Ryong-hae (2019–onwards)

|

Assembly Chairman|

* Ho Hon (1948–51)
* Yi Yong (1951–57)
* Choe Won-taek (1957–67)
* Paek Nam-un (1967–72)
* Han Duk-su (1972–86)
* Choe Thae-bok (1998–19)
* Pak Thae-song (2019–23)
* Pak In-chol (2023–onwards)

* Assembly Vice Chairman
* Presidium Honorary Vice President
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* Standing Committee Vice Chairman

Committees|

| Budget|

* 1st (1948–57)
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* 13th (2014–19)
* 14th (2019–onwards)

|

Credentials|

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Foreign Affairs|

* 1st (1948–57)
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Legislation|

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* 7th (1982–86)
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Terms|

| Leadership|

* 5th (1972–77)
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|

Standing Committee|

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* 13th (2014–19)
* 14th (2019–onwards)

Assembly|

* 1st (1948–57)
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* 3rd (1962–67)
* 4th (1967–72)
* 5th (1972–77)
* 6th (1977–82)
* 7th (1982–86)
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* 14th (2019–onwards)

Deputies|

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* 7th (1982–86)
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Elected bodies|

| Cabinet|

* 1st (1948–57)
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|

Central Court|

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Central People's|

* 5th (1972–77)
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* 8th (1986–90)
* 9th (1990–98)

National Defence|

* 5th (1972–77)
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* 9th (1990–98)
* 10th (1998–03)
* 11th (2003–09)
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* 13th (2014–16)

Procurator's Office|

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* 14th (2019–onwards)

State Affairs|

* 13th (2016–19)
* 14th (2019–onwards)

Posts|

* Cabinet: Premier of North Korea
* Vice Premier of North Korea
* Ministers

* Judiciary: Director of the Supreme Procurator's Office
* President of the Central Court

* State: President of the State Affairs Commission

Abolished organs|

* President of North Korea
* National Defence Commission

Predecessors|

* Standing Committee of the People's Assembly of North Korea
* People's Assembly of North Korea

Related|

* Constitution of North Korea
* National Assembly of South Korea

Category

* v
* t
* e

Heads of state and government of Asia

Heads
of state|

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and observers|

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|

limited recognized states|

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Heads of
government|

| UN members
and observers|

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* Vietnam
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|

limited recognized states|

* Abkhazia1
* Northern Cyprus1
* South Ossetia1
* Taiwan

Supreme leaders|

* Afghanistan
* China
* Iran
* North Korea

1 Partially or entirely in Asia, depending on the definition of the Europe–Asia border. 2 Partially or entirely in Asia, depending on the definition of the Africa–Asia border.
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