Politburo of the Workers' Party of Korea

Democratic People's Republic of Korea

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The Politburo of the Workers' Party of Korea (officially the Political Bureau of the Central Committee of the Workers' Party of Korea) is the highest leading body of the Workers' Party of Korea. Article 25 of Party Rules stipulate: "The Political Bureau of the Party Central Committee and its Presidium organize and direct all party work on behalf of the party Central Committee between plenary meetings. The Political Bureau of the Party Central Committee shall meet at least once every month."^[1] The Politburo is elected by the Central Committee of the Workers' Party of Korea.

History

After Kim Il-sung’s unitary ruling system was established in the late 1960s, the Political Bureau ceased to be a collective consultation body. It became a rubber stamp where only the voices of Kim’s loyal supporters were heard. Nevertheless, it remained a body where "constructive opinions" could be voiced. As Kim Jong-il inherited more of his father's power and authority, the leadership system changed in important ways. Institutionally, Kim shifted the center of gravity within the Party from the Politburo to the Secretariat, his base of power.^[2] In 1994, 29 out of 50 North Korean elites had worked for the KWP Politburo. This means that this body was an important stop on the road to advancement. In 2006, however, only eight members of the elite had served in the Politburo. Publicized Politburo meetings became more frequent after Kim Jong-un took power in December 2011.

Role

Officially, the Politburo is responsible for conducting its activities as well as deciding on important issues between two Central Committee plenums and should meet once a month. Its members include important state and military leaders, as the Premier and the vice-chairmen of the National Defence Commission.

The Politburo's inner body is the Presidium, elected by the WPK Central Committee, in charge of day-to-day party work. It is usually made up by the supreme leader and four other members.

Full members

Ordered in political position ranking

Rank	Name	Member since	Duration	Party position(s)	State position(s)
1	Marshal Kim Jong-un	11 April 2012	7008128649600000000♠4 years, 28 days	First Secretary of the Workers' Party of Korea Politburo Presidium Member Chairman of the Central Military Commission	First Chairman of the National Defence Commission Supreme Commander of the Korean People's Army
2	Kim Yong-nam	August 1978	7009119199600000000♠37 years, 282 days	Politburo Presidium Member	President of the Presidium of the Supreme People's Assembly
3	Vice Marshal Hwang Pyong-so	18 February 2015	7007385560000000000♠1 year, 81 days	Politburo Presidium Member Director of the KPA General Political Bureau	Vice Chairman of the National Defence Commission
4	Pak Pong-ju	31 March 2013	7007980424000000000♠3 years, 39 days		Premier of North Korea
5	Kim Ki-nam	28 September 2010	7008177141600000000♠5 years, 224 days	Secretary for Propaganda and Party History Director of the Central Propaganda and Agitation Department	Vice Chairman of the Committee for the Peaceful Reunification of the Fatherland
6	Choe Ryong-hae	11 April 2012	7008128649600000000♠4 years, 28 days	Secretary for Workers' Organizations Chairman of the State Sports and Physical Culture Guidance Commission
7	Choe Thae-bok	23 May 1990	7008819352800000000♠25 years, 352 days	Secretary for Education and Science Affairs	Chairman of the Supreme People's Assembly
8	Yang Hyong-sop	8 December 1993	7008707486400000000♠22 years, 153 days		Vice President of the Presidium of the Supreme People's Assembly Vice Chairman of the Committee for the Peaceful Reunification of the Fatherland
9	Kang Sok-ju	28 September 2010	7008177141600000000♠5 years, 224 days	Secretary for International Affairs
10	Vice Marshal Ri Yong-mu	28 September 2010	7008177141600000000♠5 years, 224 days		Vice Chairman of the National Defence Commission
11	General Kim Won-hong	11 April 2012	7008128649600000000♠4 years, 28 days	Member of the Central Military Commission	Member of the National Defence Commission Minister of State Security
12	Kim Yang-gon	28 September 2010	7008177141600000000♠5 years, 224 days	Secretary for United Front Work Director of the Central United Front Work Department	Chairman of the Korea Asia-Pacific Peace Committee

Alternate members

Name	Name	Member since	Duration	Party position(s)	State position(s)
13	General Ri Yong-gil	8 April 2014	7007657936000000000♠2 years, 31 days	Member of the Central Military Commission	Chief of the KPA General Staff
14	General O Kuk-ryol	11 April 2012	7008128649600000000♠4 years, 28 days		Vice Chairman of the National Defence Commission
15	Kwak Pom-gi	11 April 2012	7008128649600000000♠4 years, 28 days	Secretary for Planning Director of the Central Finance and Planning Department
16	O Su-yong	18 February 2015	7007385560000000000♠1 year, 81 days	Secretary for Light Industry
17	Kim Phyong-hae	28 September 2010	7008177141600000000♠5 years, 224 days	Secretary for Cadres Director of the Central Cadres Department
19	General Choe Pu-il	31 March 2013	7007980424000000000♠3 years, 39 days	Member of the Central Military Commission	Member of the National Defence Commission Minister of People's Security
20	Col. Gen. Kim Chang-sop	28 September 2010	7008177141600000000♠5 years, 224 days	Director of the Political Bureau of the Ministry of State Security
21	Col. Gen. Ri Pyong-sam	11 April 2012	7008128649600000000♠4 years, 28 days	Director of the Political Bureau of the Korean People's Internal Security Forces
22	Ro Tu-chol	11 April 2012	7008128649600000000♠4 years, 28 days		Vice Premier Chairman of the State Planning Commission
23	Jo Yon-jun	11 April 2012	7008128649600000000♠4 years, 28 days	First Vice Director of the Central Organisation and Guidance Department
	Choe Yong-rim^[a]	28 September 2010	7008177141600000000♠5 years, 224 days		Honorary Vice President of the SPA Presidium
	Vice Marshal Hyon Chol-hae^[a]	11 April 2012	7008128649600000000♠4 years, 28 days
	Thae Jong-su^[a]	28 September 2010	7008177141600000000♠5 years, 224 days	Chief Secretary of South Hamgyong Party Committee
	Ju Kyu-chang^[a]	28 September 2010	7008177141600000000♠5 years, 224 days	Director of the Central Machine-Building Industry Department Member of the Central Military Commission

Notes

^[a]Status unclear following reshuffle.

References

↑ "Rules of the Workers' Party of Korea (28 September 2010) (조선로동당규약—2010년 9월 28일)". 28 September 2010. Missing or empty |url= (help); |access-date= requires |url= (help)
↑ "Analysis of the DPRK Power Group (2)—Route to the Heart of Leadership", Joong-Ang Ilbo, 05 January 2007.

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