Politburo of the Workers' Party of Korea

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." 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. 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		Chairman 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		Politburo Presidium Member	President of the Presidium of the Supreme People's Assembly
3	Vice Marshal Hwang Pyong-so	18 February 2015		Politburo Presidium Member Director of the KPA General Political Bureau Member of the Central Military Commission	Vice Chairman of the National Defence Commission
4	Pak Pong-ju	31 March 2013		Politburo Presidium Member Member of the Central Military Commission	Premier of North Korea
5	Choe Ryong-hae	11 April 2012		Politburo Presidium Member Vice Chairman for Workers' Organizations Chairman of the State Sports and Physical Culture Guidance Commission
6	Kim Ki-nam	28 September 2010		Vice Chairman 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
7	Choe Thae-bok	23 May 1990		Vice Chairman for Education and Science Affairs	Chairman of the Supreme People's Assembly
8	Ri Su-yong	9 May 2016		Vice Chairman for International Relations Director of the Central International Relations Department
9	Kim Phyong-hae	28 September 2010		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		Vice Chairman for Light Industry
11	Kwak Pom-gi	11 April 2012		Vice Chairman for Planning Director of the Central Finance and Planning Department
12	Kim Yong-chol	9 May 2016		Vice Chairman for United Front Work Director of the Central United Front Department Member of the Central Military Commission
13	Ri Man-gon	9 May 2016		Vice Chairman for Machine Building Director of the Central Machine-Building Department Member of the Central Military Commission
14	Yang Hyong-sop	8 December 1993			Vice President of the Presidium of the Supreme People's Assembly Vice Chairman of the Committee for the Peaceful Reunification of the Fatherland
15	Ro Tu-chol	11 April 2012			Vice Premier Chairman of the State Planning Commission
16	General Pak Yong-sik	9 May 2016		Member of the Central Military Commission	Minister of the People's Armed Forces
17	Vice Marshal Ri Myong-su	9 May 2016		Member of the Central Military Commission	Chief of the KPA General Staff
18	General Kim Won-hong	11 April 2012		Member of the Central Military Commission	Minister of State Security Member of the National Defence Commission
19	General Choe Pu-il	31 March 2013		Member of the Central Military Commission	Minister of People's Security Member of the National Defence 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		Chairman of the WPK Pyongyang Committee
21	Kim Nung-o	9 May 2016		Chairman of the WPK North Phyongan Committee
22	Pak Thae-song	9 May 2016		Chiarman of the WPK South P’yo’ngan Committee
23	Ri Yong-ho	9 May 2016			Foreign Minister
24	Im Chol-ung	9 May 2016			Vice Premier
25	Jo Yon-jun	11 April 2012		First Vice Director of the Organization and Guidance Department
26	Ri Pyong-chol	9 May 2016		First Vice Director of the Organization and Guidance Department
27	Colonel General No Kwang-chol	9 May 2016			First Vice Minister of the People's Armed Forces
27	Colonel General Ri Yong-gil	8 April 2014		Member of the Central Military Commission	Vice Chief of the KPA General Staff

See also

• Central Committee of the Workers' Party of Korea
• Politburo of the Communist Party of the Soviet Union
• Politburo of the Communist Party of China

Notes

• Status unclear following reshuffle.