Chairman of the National Defence Commission of North Korea
Encyclopedia
The Chairman of the National Defense Commission of North Korea is the supreme commander
of the armed forces of North Korea
and the most powerful person in the government
. According to law, the Chairman has the "highest administrative authority" of any official, and the post was confirmed on 5 September 1998 as the "highest office of state." The Supreme People's Assembly
(SPA) elects the Chairman for a period of five years. The election is held immediately subsequent to the election of a new People's Assembly.
The current Chairman is Kim Jong-il
, first elected on 9 April 1993 in an election where he ran unopposed. He has since been re-elected in 1998, 2003 and 2009.
. Kim Il-sung
, the deceased leader of North Korea, has been declared Eternal President
but it appears that the office is a facet of his extensive cult of personality
. The Chairman of the Presidium of the Supreme People's Assembly, who handles the diplomatic functions that a head of state might normally undertake, is also sometimes considered the head of state. North Korea's constitutional arrangements are often unclear to outside observers and it is difficult to determine the Chairman's official standing. However, the Chairman is both in law and in practice the most powerful member of the North Korean government.
Supreme Commander of the Korean People's Army
Supreme Commander of the Korean People's Army is the highest post of command of the Korean People's Army, the army of North Korea and is in charge of one of the largest standing armies in the world with around 5.9 million active duty personnel and reserves...
of the armed forces of North Korea
North Korea
The Democratic People’s Republic of Korea , , is a country in East Asia, occupying the northern half of the Korean Peninsula. Its capital and largest city is Pyongyang. The Korean Demilitarized Zone serves as the buffer zone between North Korea and South Korea...
and the most powerful person in the government
Government of North Korea
The North Korean government is the executive branch of the state, according to the Constitution of North Korea. In practice, the highest decisions are made by the National Defence Commission of North Korea which is led by its Chairman Kim Jong-il....
. According to law, the Chairman has the "highest administrative authority" of any official, and the post was confirmed on 5 September 1998 as the "highest office of state." The Supreme People's Assembly
Supreme People's Assembly
The Supreme People's Assembly is the unicameral parliament of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea , commonly known as North Korea...
(SPA) elects the Chairman for a period of five years. The election is held immediately subsequent to the election of a new People's Assembly.
The current Chairman is Kim Jong-il
Kim Jong-il
Kim Jong-il, also written as Kim Jong Il, birth name Yuri Irsenovich Kim born 16 February 1941 or 16 February 1942 , is the Supreme Leader of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea...
, first elected on 9 April 1993 in an election where he ran unopposed. He has since been re-elected in 1998, 2003 and 2009.
Authority, legal and constitutional position
There is debate as to whether "highest office of state" should be considered equivalent to head of stateHead of State
A head of state is the individual that serves as the chief public representative of a monarchy, republic, federation, commonwealth or other kind of state. His or her role generally includes legitimizing the state and exercising the political powers, functions, and duties granted to the head of...
. Kim Il-sung
Kim Il-sung
Kim Il-sung was a Korean communist politician who led the Democratic People's Republic of Korea from its founding in 1948 until his death in 1994. He held the posts of Prime Minister from 1948 to 1972 and President from 1972 to his death...
, the deceased leader of North Korea, has been declared Eternal President
President of North Korea
The President of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea was established in the Constitution of North Korea, 1972. Until then, Kim Il-sung, the ruler of North Korea, used the posts Premier and General Secretary of the Workers' Party of Korea...
but it appears that the office is a facet of his extensive cult of personality
Cult of personality
A cult of personality arises when an individual uses mass media, propaganda, or other methods, to create an idealized and heroic public image, often through unquestioning flattery and praise. Cults of personality are usually associated with dictatorships...
. The Chairman of the Presidium of the Supreme People's Assembly, who handles the diplomatic functions that a head of state might normally undertake, is also sometimes considered the head of state. North Korea's constitutional arrangements are often unclear to outside observers and it is difficult to determine the Chairman's official standing. However, the Chairman is both in law and in practice the most powerful member of the North Korean government.
Chairman
| Name | Term | Life span |
|---|---|---|
| Kim Jong-Il Kim Jong-il Kim Jong-il, also written as Kim Jong Il, birth name Yuri Irsenovich Kim born 16 February 1941 or 16 February 1942 , is the Supreme Leader of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea... |
9 April 1993 – present | 16 February 1941 – present (aged 70) |