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Politburo of the Workers' Party of Korea

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Political Bureau of the Central Committee of the Workers' Party of Korea

조선로동당중앙위원회정치국
Coat of arms or logo
Leadership
Status
Executive WPK body between the Presidium and Central Committee, Workers' Party of Korea
Elected by
Central Committee
Responsible to
Central Committee
Seats17
Politburo of the Workers' Party of Korea
Chosŏn'gŭl
Hancha
Revised RomanizationJoseon Rodongdang Jungang Wiwonhoe Jeongchikuk
McCune–ReischauerChosŏn Rodongdang Chungang Wiwŏnhoe Chŏngch'iguk

In North Korea, the Political Bureau of the Central Committee of the Workers' Party of Korea (WPK), or simply the Politburo, formerly the Political Committee (1946–61), is the highest decision-making body in the ruling party between sessions of its Central Committee. Article 25 of the Party Charter stipulates that "The Political Bureau of the Party Central Committee and its Standing Committee 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

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Until April 1956, the Politburo was known as the Political Council.[2] After Kim Il Sung's unitary ruling system was established in the 1960s, the Politburo was transformed from a decision-making body where policies could be discussed into a rubber stamp body.[3] Leading members have disappeared without explanation; the last was Kim Tong-gyu, in 1977.[4] Politburo members under Kim Il Sung and Kim Jong Il lacked a strong power base, and depended on the party leader for their position.[4] Because of this, the Politburo became a loyal servant of the party leader.[4]

The Politburo Standing Committee (PSC) of the Workers' Party of Korea was established at the 6th Congress in 1980, and became the highest WPK body when the Politburo and the Central Committee were not in session.[5] With the death of O Jin-u in 1995, Kim Jong Il remained the only member of the Politburo Standing Committee still alive; the four others (Kim Il Sung, Kim Il, O Jin-u, and Ri Jong-ok) died in office.[6] Between O Jin-u's death and the 3rd Conference, there were no reports indicating that Kim Jong Il or the central party leadership was planning to renew the PSC composition.[7]

Similar to the Central Committee, the Politburo was dormant during much of Kim Jong Il's rule;[8] however, the 3rd Conference elected new Politburo members.[8] While many foreign observers believed it would signify a generational shift, it did not; the youngest member was 53 years old, and the average age was 74 (with 12 over age 80).[8] The majority of new members were aides to Kim Jong Il or Kim family members.[8] Kim Kyong-hui (Kim Jong Il's sister) and Jang Song-thaek (Kim Kyong-hui's husband) were appointed full and candidate member, respectively.[8] Several of Jang's protégés were elected candidate members, including Ju Sang-song (Minister of People's Security), U Tong-chuk (First Deputy Director of the State Security Department) and Choe Ryong-hae (Secretary for Military Affairs).[8] Pak Jong-su (First Deputy Head of the Organization and Guidance Department), a leading facilitator of Kim Jong Un's succession, was appointed a candidate member.[8] Most of the new members were cabinet members, military officials, party secretaries or officials from the security establishment.[8] Ten members from the National Defense Commission and three deputy premiers were appointed to the Politbüro.[8] Leading economic experts (such as Hong Sok-yong and Tae Jong-su) and foreign experts (such as Kang Sok-ju, Kim Yong-il and Kim Yang-gon) became members.[8] At the 4th Conference, one-third of the Politburo was dismissed in unannounced retirements and dismissals.[9] Jang Song-thaek, Pak To-chun and Vice Marshal Kim Jong-gak were promoted from candidate to full membership; Hyon Chol-hae, Kim Won-hong and Ri Myong-su, all members of the Central Military Commission, were appointed to full Politburo membership.[10] Kwak Pom-gi, O Kuk-ryol, Ro Tu-chol, Ri Pyong-sam and Jo Yon-jun were elected candidate members.[10]

Role

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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 State Affairs Commission.

The Politburo's inner body is the Presidium (formerly the Standing Committee), elected by the WPK Central Committee, in charge of day-to-day party work. It is usually made up of the supreme leader and four other members. In practice, the Presidium is the highest body in both the party and the country, and its decisions de facto have the force of law.[11]

Current membership

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As of May 2024, the Politburo is composed of 16 members and 12 alternate members, with the following line-up.

Members

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Member Member since Party position(s) State position(s)
Kim Jong Un
김정은
(born 1984)
11 April 2012
Kim Tok-hun
김덕훈
(born 1962)
31 December 2019
  • Politburo Presidium Member
  • Vice President of the State Affairs Commission
  • Premier
Jo Yong-won
조용원
10 January 2021
  • Politburo Presidium Member
  • Secretary for Organizational Affairs of the Central Committee
  • Director of the Organization and Guidance Department
  • Member of the Central Military Commission
  • Member of the State Affairs Commission
Choe Ryong-hae
최룡해
(born 1950)
11 April 2012
  • Politburo Presidium Member
Ri Pyong-chol
리병철
25 April 2022
  • Politburo Presidium Member
  • Secretary of the Central Committee
  • Vice Chairman of the Central Military Commission
Ri Il-hwan
리일환
(born 1960)
31 December 2019
  • Secretary of the Central Committee
  • Member of the State Affairs Commission
Pak Jong-chon
박정천
11 April 2020
  • Secretary of the Central Committee
  • Vice Chairman of the Central Military Commission
  • Member of the State Affairs Commission
Kim Jae-ryong
김재룡
(born 1959)
9 April 2019
  • Secretary of the Central Committee
  • Director of the Cadre Affairs Department
Jo Chun-ryong
조춘룡
31 December 2023
(alt: 8 June 2022)
  • Secretary of the Central Committee
Jon Hyon-chol
전현철
8 June 2022
(alt: 10 January 2021)
  • Secretary of the Central Committee
  • Director of the Economic Affairs Department
  • Chairman of the SPA Budget Committee
Pak Thae-song
박태성
(born 1955)
8 June 2022
  • Secretary of the Central Committee
O Su-yong
오수용
18 June 2023
(second tenure)
  • Secretary of the Central Committee
  • Director of a department
Jong Kyong-thaek
정경택
(born 1961)
10 April 2019
  • Director of the KPA General Political Bureau
  • Member of the Central Military Commission
  • Member of the State Affairs Commission
Pak Jong-gun
박정근
31 December 2021
  • Vice Premier
  • Chairman of the State Planning Commission
Ri Yong-gil
리영길
(born 1955)
10 January 2021
  • Member of the Central Military Commission
  • Member of the State Affairs Commission
  • Chief of the KPA General Staff
Ri Thae-sop
리태섭
8 June 2022
(alt: 31 December 2021)
  • Member of the Central Military Commission
  • Member of the State Affairs Commission
  • Minister of Public Security

Alternate members

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Alternate member Alternate
member since
Party position(s) State position(s)
Kang Sun-nam 31 December 2022
  • Member of the Central Military Commission
  • Minister of National Defense
Choe Son-hui
최선희
8 June 2022
  • Minister of Foreign Affairs
Pak Thae-dok
박태덕
(born 1955)
10 January 2021
  • Vice Chairman of the Central Auditing Commission
  • Director of the Discipline Investigation Department
Jo Chang-il 31 December 2022
  • Director of the Publicity and Information Department
Kim Hyong-sik
김형식
10 January 2021
  • Director of the Legal Department
Han Kwang-sang
한광상
8 June 2022
  • Director of the Light Industry Department
Kim Song-nam
김성남
11 February 2021
  • Director of the International Department
  • Member of the State Affairs Commission
Kim Yong-chol
리선권
18 June 2023
(second tenure)
  • Advisor to the United Front Department
Ri Chol-man
리철만
10 January 2021
  • Director of the Agriculture Department
Yang Sung-ho
우상철
10 January 2021
  • Vice Premier
Ri Chang-dae
리창대
8 June 2022
  • Member of the Central Military Commission
  • Minister of State Security
Kim Su-gil 31 December 2022
  • Chief Secretary of the WPK Pyongyang City Committee

See also

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References

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  1. ^ "Rules of the Workers' Party of Korea (28 September 2010) (조선로동당규약—2010년 9월 28일)" (PDF). September 28, 2010. Archived from the original (PDF) on June 22, 2017.
  2. ^ Lankov 1999, p. 47.
  3. ^ Buzo 1999, p. 31.
  4. ^ a b c Buzo 1999, p. 32.
  5. ^ Kim 1982, p. 140.
  6. ^ Kim 2000, p. 257.
  7. ^ Kim 2000, pp. 257–258.
  8. ^ a b c d e f g h i j Gause 2011, p. 148.
  9. ^ Gause 2013, p. 40.
  10. ^ a b "Kim Jong Un Appointed "First Secretary" of Korean Workers' Party". North Korea Leadership Watch. April 11, 2012. Archived from the original on March 13, 2014. Retrieved March 13, 2014.
  11. ^ "Defence Development Exhibition "Self-Defence-2021" Opens with Splendor". Korean Central News Agency. October 12, 2021. Retrieved October 18, 2021.

Bibliography

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Articles, books and journal entries
Books