Politburo of the Workers' Party of Korea

North 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	7008147744000000000♠4 years, 249 days	Chairman of the Workers' Party of Korea Politburo Presidium Member Chairman of the Central Military Commission	Chairman of the State Affairs Commission Supreme Commander of the Korean People's Army
2	Kim Yong-nam	August 1978	7009121102560000000♠38 years, 137 days	Politburo Presidium Member	President of the Presidium of the Supreme People's Assembly
3	Vice Marshal Hwang Pyong-so	18 February 2015	7007576504000000000♠1 year, 302 days	Politburo Presidium Member Director of the KPA General Political Bureau Member of the Central Military Commission	Vice Chairman of the State Affairs Commission
4	Pak Pong-ju	31 March 2013	7008117136800000000♠3 years, 260 days	Politburo Presidium Member Member of the Central Military Commission	Premier of North Korea Vice Chairman of the State Affairs Commission
5	Choe Ryong-hae	11 April 2012	7008147744000000000♠4 years, 249 days	Politburo Presidium Member Vice Chairman for Workers' Organizations Chairman of the State Sports and Physical Culture Guidance Commission	Vice Chairman of the State Affairs Commission
6	Kim Ki-nam	28 September 2010	7008196171200000000♠6 years, 79 days	Vice Chairman for Propaganda and Party History Director of the Central Propaganda and Agitation Department	Member of the State Affairs Commission
7	Choe Thae-bok	23 May 1990	7008838382400000000♠26 years, 207 days	Vice Chairman for Education and Science Affairs	Chairman of the Supreme People's Assembly
8	Ri Su-yong	9 May 2016	7007190944000000000♠221 days	Vice Chairman for International Relations Director of the Central International Relations Department	Member of the State Affairs Commission
9	Kim Phyong-hae	28 September 2010	7008196171200000000♠6 years, 79 days	Vice Chairman for Cadres Director of the Central Cadres Department	Chairman of the SPA Deputies Credentials Screening Committee
10	O Su-yong	18 February 2015	7007576504000000000♠1 year, 302 days	Vice Chairman for Economy Director of the Central Economic Affairs Department
11	Kwak Pom-gi	11 April 2012	7008147744000000000♠4 years, 249 days	Vice Chairman for Planning Director of the Central Finance and Planning Department
12	Kim Yong-chol	9 May 2016	7007190944000000000♠221 days	Vice Chairman for United Front Work Director of the Central United Front Department Member of the Central Military Commission	Member of the State Affairs Commission
13	Ri Man-gon	9 May 2016	7007190944000000000♠221 days	Vice Chairman for Machine Building Director of the Central Machine-Building Department Member of the Central Military Commission	Member of the State Affairs Commission
14	Yang Hyong-sop	8 December 1993	7008726516000000000♠23 years, 8 days		Vice President of the Presidium of the Supreme People's Assembly
15	Ro Tu-chol	11 April 2012	7008147744000000000♠4 years, 249 days		Vice Premier Chairman of the State Planning Commission
16	General Pak Yong-sik	9 May 2016	7007190944000000000♠221 days	Member of the Central Military Commission	Minister of the People's Armed Forces Member of the State Affairs Commission
17	Vice Marshal Ri Myong-su	9 May 2016	7007190944000000000♠221 days	Member of the Central Military Commission	Chief of the KPA General Staff
18	General Kim Won-hong	11 April 2012	7008147744000000000♠4 years, 249 days	Member of the Central Military Commission	Minister of State Security Member of the State Affairs Commission
19	General Choe Pu-il	31 March 2013	7008117136800000000♠3 years, 260 days	Member of the Central Military Commission	Minister of People's Security Member of the State Affairs Commission Chairman of the SPA Legislation Committee

Alternate members

Name	Name	Member since	Duration	Party position(s)	State position(s)
20	Kim Su-gil	9 May 2016	7007190944000000000♠221 days	Chairman of the WPK Pyongyang Committee
21	Kim Nung-o	9 May 2016	7007190944000000000♠221 days	Chairman of the WPK North Phyongan Committee
22	Pak Thae-song	9 May 2016	7007190944000000000♠221 days	Chairman of the WPK South P’yo’ngan Committee
23	Ri Yong-ho	9 May 2016	7007190944000000000♠221 days		Foreign Minister Member of the State Affairs Commission
24	Im Chol-ung	9 May 2016	7007190944000000000♠221 days		Vice Premier
25	Jo Yon-jun	11 April 2012	7008147744000000000♠4 years, 249 days	First Vice Director of the Organization and Guidance Department
26	Ri Pyong-chol	9 May 2016	7007190944000000000♠221 days	First Vice Director of the Organization and Guidance Department
27	Colonel General No Kwang-chol	9 May 2016	7007190944000000000♠221 days		First Vice Minister of the People's Armed Forces
27	Colonel General Ri Yong-gil	8 April 2014	7007848880000000000♠2 years, 252 days	Member of the Central Military Commission	Vice Chief of the KPA General Staff

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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