Premier of North Korea
Encyclopedia
The Premier of North Korea (officially Premier of the Cabinet of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea) is the head of government
of North Korea
.
and represents it. The Premier has not a real executive power, since main policies are set by the Central Committee of the Workers' Party of Korea
. The role of the Cabinet is to put them in practice.
Originally, under the 1948 Constitution of the DPRK
, the Premier was a very important post and held actual power over the government. Kim Il-sung
himself inaugurated the post, keeping it for 24 years until 1972, while the cerimonial role of the head of State
rested in the Chairman of the Standing Committee of the Supreme People's Assembly
.
The 1972 Constitution created the post of President of the DPRK
for Kim Il-sung, transferring to it all the paramount power. The Premier was now the head of the Administration Council, but most of the powers of the former Cabinet were passed to the Central People's Committee, the highest ruling council chaired by the President himself. The first premier after Kim Il-sung was his long-time ally Kim Il
(no relation with the former). The post was then officially known as Premier of the Administration Council.
After Kim Il-sung died, the post of President remained vacant (officially Kim Il-sung was proclaimed Eternal President
) as Kim Jong-il
planned a new State reorganization. A Constitution revision in 1998 abolished both the Central People's Committee and the Administration Council, re-creating the Cabinet.
The Premier now shares power with the President of the Presidium of the Supreme People's Assembly
(i.e. the head of State) and the Chairman of the National Defence Commission
(i.e. the military supreme commander), although it was clear it is the lowest of the three: significantly, Kim Jong-il has been NDC Chairman uninterruptedly since 1993, and Kim Yong-nam
has been President of the SPA Presidium since 1998, while the premiers have often changed.
Head of government
Head of government is the chief officer of the executive branch of a government, often presiding over a cabinet. In a parliamentary system, the head of government is often styled prime minister, chief minister, premier, etc...
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...
.
Functions and history
The Premier leads the activity of the GovernmentGovernment 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....
and represents it. The Premier has not a real executive power, since main policies are set by the Central Committee of the Workers' Party of Korea
Central Committee of the Workers' Party of Korea
The Central Committee of the Workers' Party of Korea is the leadership body of the Workers' Party of Korea. According to Party rules, the Central Committee directs the Party work between the Party Congresses...
. The role of the Cabinet is to put them in practice.
Originally, under the 1948 Constitution of the DPRK
Constitution of North Korea
The Socialist Constitution of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea is the constitution of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea , commonly known as North Korea.Previous constitutions were adopted in 1948, 1972, 1992, and 1998...
, the Premier was a very important post and held actual power over the government. 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...
himself inaugurated the post, keeping it for 24 years until 1972, while the cerimonial role of the head of State
Head 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...
rested in the Chairman of the Standing Committee of 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...
.
The 1972 Constitution created the post of President of the DPRK
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...
for Kim Il-sung, transferring to it all the paramount power. The Premier was now the head of the Administration Council, but most of the powers of the former Cabinet were passed to the Central People's Committee, the highest ruling council chaired by the President himself. The first premier after Kim Il-sung was his long-time ally Kim Il
Kim Il (politician)
Kim Il was a North Korean politician. He was Prime Minister from 28 December 1972 to 29 April 1976....
(no relation with the former). The post was then officially known as Premier of the Administration Council.
After Kim Il-sung died, the post of President remained vacant (officially Kim Il-sung was proclaimed Eternal President
Eternal President of the Republic
The appellation Eternal President of the Republic was established by a line in the preface to the North Korean constitution, amended on September 5, 1998...
) as 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...
planned a new State reorganization. A Constitution revision in 1998 abolished both the Central People's Committee and the Administration Council, re-creating the Cabinet.
The Premier now shares power with the President of the Presidium of 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...
(i.e. the head of State) and the Chairman of the National Defence Commission
Chairman of the National Defence Commission of North Korea
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...
(i.e. the military supreme commander), although it was clear it is the lowest of the three: significantly, Kim Jong-il has been NDC Chairman uninterruptedly since 1993, and Kim Yong-nam
Kim Yong-nam
Kim Yong-nam is the current North Korean Chairman of the Presidium of the Supreme People's Assembly, a position held since 1998. He was elected a member of the presidium of the politburo of the central committee of the Workers' Party of Korea in 2010.He was born in the Central District, Heijo ,...
has been President of the SPA Presidium since 1998, while the premiers have often changed.