7th Control Commission of the Workers' Party of Korea
The 7th Inspection Commission of the Workers' Party of Korea (WPK), officially the Inspection Commission of the 7th Central Committee of the Workers' Party of Korea, was elected at the 1st Plenary Session of the 7th WPK Central Committee in the immediate aftermath of the party's 7th Congress on 9 Mai 2016.[1] The 7th Inspection Commission was the highest control organ of the Workers' Party of Korea in the given period, and was responsible for punishing unwanted Party behavior, corruption and other wrongdoings.[2]
The 2nd Plenary Session of the 7th WPK Central Committee dismissed Hong In Bom as inspection chairman and appointed Jo Yon Jun in his place. According to Michael Madden of 38 North "Interestingly Jo [Yon Jun], OGD's most senior deputy director, was appointed Chairman of the Inspection Commission (a.k.a. the Control Commission), a position which is typically appointed to elderly and experienced OGD personnel (such as Mr Jo) who entering a period of semi-retirement."[3]
In 2019 it spearheaded an anti-corruption investigation in North Pyongan Province.[4] A commentator quipped that "The inspection team arrived on December 20 and is continuing to investigate local government officials. [...] The team is looking at officials working in customs bureaus, factories and enterprises, and even in storage facilities."[4] It was a highly unusual investigation; most Inspection investigations lasts for a couple of weeks but this one lasted for three months.[4] The investigation was part of Kim Jong-un's anti-corruption campaign.[4]
Composition
- Chairman Hong In Bom (until October 2017), Jo Yon Jun (from October 2017)[5][6] & Ri Sang Won (from December 2019)[7]
- First Vice Chairman Jong Myong Hak
- Vice Chairman Ri Tuk Nam
References
- ^ "Documents from the 7th Workers' Party Congress" (PDF). The National Committee on North Korea (American NGO). Archived (PDF) from the original on 2021-01-23.
- ^ "Jo Yon Jun". www.nkleadershipwatch.org. North Korea Leadership Watch. 2018-03-09. Archived from the original on 2021-01-14.
Jo was elected as Chairman of the WPK Inspection Commission (also known as the Control Commission), a top party position, at the 2nd plenary meeting of the 7th WPK Central Committee in October 2017. In this position he is responsible for regulating the status, appeals and disciplinary matters of all WPK members.
- ^ Michael Madden (2017-10-18). "The Party Roundup: Preliminary Look at North Korea's October 7 Central Committee Plenum". 38 North. Archived from the original on 2021-01-15.
The organization is run by former Organizational Guidance Department (OGD) First Director Jo Yon Jun, who is considered one of North Korea's most powerful figures.
- ^ a b c d Mun Dong Hui (2019-02-25). "Elite inspection team to crack down on corruption in North Korea". Daily NK. Archived from the original on 2020-04-08.
- ^ "Hong In-po'm (Hong In Bom) | North Korea Leadership Watch". www.nkleadershipwatch.org. Archived from the original on 2017-09-08.
During the 7th Party Congress in May 2016, Hong was elected to the 7th WPK Central Committee and elected head of the WPK Control Commission (also known as the Inspection Committee).
- ^
Ha Yoon Ah (2020-09-23). "Central Committee officials sent to South Hamgyong Province to guide recovery efforts". Daily NK. Archived from the original on 2020-10-25. Retrieved 2021-01-26.
According to the source, who spoke on condition of anonymity, Kim Jae Ryong, the head of the new Organization Administrative Department in the Central Committee, and Jo Yon Jun, former head of the Workers' Party Inspection Committee, among others, have been sent to the province and are currently providing party guidance, trying to better understand the "ideological trends" among soldiers and civilians, and supporting efforts to restore damage to Komdok Mine.
- ^ "Report of the Fifth Plenary Meeting of the 7th Central Committee of the WPK (Kim Jong Un's 2020 New Year Address)". The National Committee on North Korea (American NGO). Archived from the original on 2021-01-17.