Politburo of the Workers' Party of Korea
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The Politburo, officially the Political Bureau of the Central Committee of the Workers' Party of Korea (WPK), formerly the Political Council, is the highest decision-making body in the party between sessions of the Central Committee. Article 25 of Party Charter stipulate: "The Political Bureau of the Party Central Committee and its Standing Committee 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
Until April 1956, the Politburo was known as the Political Council.[2] After Kim Il-sung's unitary ruling system was established in the 1960s, the Politburo was transformed from a decision-making body where policies could be discussed into a rubber stamp body.[3] Leading members have disappeared without explanation; the last was Kim Tong-gyu, in 1977.[4] Politburo members under Kim Il-sung and Kim Jong-il lacked a strong power base, and depended on the party leader for their position.[4] Because of this, the Politburo became a loyal servant of the party leader.[4]
The Politburo Standing Committee (PSC) of the Workers' Party of Korea was established at the 6th Congress in 1980, and became the highest WPK body when the Politburo and the Central Committee were not in session.[5] With the death of O Jin-u in 1995, Kim Jong-il remained the only member of the Politburo Standing Committee still alive; the four others (Kim Il-sung, Kim Il, O Jin-u, and Ri Jong-ok) died in office.[6] Between O Jin-u's death and the 3rd Conference, there were no reports indicating that Kim Jong-il or the central party leadership was planning to renew the PSC composition.[7]
Similar to the Central Committee, the Politburo was dormant during much of Kim Jong-il's rule;[8] however, the 3rd Conference elected new Politburo members.[8] While many foreign observers believed it would signify a generational shift, it did not; the youngest member was 53 years old, and the average age was 74 (with 12 over age 80).[8] The majority of new members were aides to Kim Jong-il or Kim family members.[8] Kim Kyong-hui (Kim Jong-il's sister) and Jang Song-thaek (Kim Kyong-hui's husband) were appointed full and candidate member, respectively.[8] Several of Jang's proteges were elected candidate members, including Ju Sang-song (Minister of People's Security), U Tong-chuk (First Deputy Director of the State Security Department) and Choe Ryong-hae (Secretary for Military Affairs).[8] Pak Jong-su (First Deputy Head of the Organization and Guidance Department), a leading facilitator of Kim Jong-un's succession, was appointed a candidate member.[8] Most of the new members were cabinet members, military officials, party secretaries or officials from the security establishment.[8] Ten members from the National Defense Commission and three deputy premiers were appointed to the Politbüro.[8] Leading economic experts (such as Hong Sok-yong and Tae Jong-su) and foreign experts (such as Kang Sok-ju, Kim Yong-il and Kim Yang-gon) became members.[8] At the 4th Conference, one-third of the Politburo was dismissed in unannounced retirements and dismissals.[9] Jang Song-thaek, Pak To-chun and Vice Marshal Kim Jong-gak were promoted from candidate to full membership; Hyon Chol-hae, Kim Won-hong and Ri Myong-su, all members of the Central Military Commission, were appointed to full Politburo membership.[10] Kwak Pom-gi, O Kuk-ryol, Ro Tu-chol, Ri Pyong-sam and Jo Yon-jun were elected candidate members.[10]
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 Politbüro's inner body is the Presidium (formerly the Standing Committee), elected by the WPK Central Committee, in charge of day-to-day party work. It is usually made up of the supreme leader and four other members. In practice, the Presidium is the highest body in both the party and the country, and its decisions de facto have the force of law.
Membership
Full
- Ordered in political position ranking
Rank | Name | Member since | Duration | Party position(s) | State position(s) |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Marshal Kim Jong-un |
11 April 2012 | 12 years, 120 days |
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2 | Kim Yong-nam | August 1978 | 46 years, 8 days |
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3 | Choe Ryong-hae | 28 September 2010 | 13 years, 316 days |
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4 | Kim Jae-ryong | 11 April 2019 | 5 years, 120 days |
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5 | Vice Marshal Kim Jong-gak |
20 April 2018 | 6 years, 111 days |
| |
6 | Pak Kwang-ho | 7 October 2017 | 6 years, 307 days |
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7 | Ri Su-yong | 9 May 2016 | 8 years, 92 days |
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8 | Kim Phyong-hae | 28 September 2010 | 13 years, 316 days |
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9 | Thae Jong-su | 7 October 2017 | 6 years, 307 days |
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10 | O Su-yong | 18 February 2015 | 9 years, 173 days |
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11 | An Jong-su | 7 October 2017 | 6 years, 307 days |
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12 | Pak Thae-song | 9 May 2016 | 8 years, 92 days |
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13 | Kim Yong-chol | 9 May 2016 | 8 years, 92 days |
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14 | Yang Hyong-sop | 8 December 1993 | 30 years, 245 days |
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15 | Ro Tu-chol | 11 April 2012 | 12 years, 120 days |
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16 | General Pak Yong-sik |
9 May 2016 | 8 years, 92 days |
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17 | Vice Marshal Ri Myong-su |
9 May 2016 | 8 years, 92 days |
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18 | General Choe Pu-il |
31 March 2013 | 11 years, 131 days |
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19 | Ri Yong-ho | 9 May 2016 | 8 years, 92 days |
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20 | Pak Pong-ju | 31 March 2013 | 11 years, 131 days |
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Alternate
Rank | Name | Member since | Duration | Party position(s) | State position(s) |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
20 | Choe Hwi | 7 October 2017 | 6 years, 307 days |
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21 | Kim Su-gil | 9 May 2016 | 8 years, 92 days |
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22 | Jo Yon-jun | 11 April 2012 | 12 years, 120 days |
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23 | Kim Nung-o | 9 May 2016 | 8 years, 92 days |
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24 | Pak Thae-dok | 7 October 2017 | 6 years, 307 days |
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25 | Im Chol-ung | 9 May 2016 | 8 years, 92 days |
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26 | Ri Pyong-chol | 9 May 2016 | 8 years, 92 days |
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27 | Colonel General No Kwang-chol |
9 May 2016 | 8 years, 92 days |
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28 | Colonel General Ri Yong-gil |
8 April 2014 | 10 years, 123 days |
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29 | Kim Yo-jong | 7 October 2017 | 6 years, 307 days |
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30 | Jong Kyong-thaek | 7 October 2017 | 6 years, 307 days |
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See also
- Central Committee of the Workers' Party of Korea
- Politburo Standing Committee of the Workers' Party of Korea
- Politburo of the Communist Party of the Soviet Union
- Politburo of the Communist Party of China
References
Footnotes
- ^ "Rules of the Workers' Party of Korea (28 September 2010) (조선로동당규약—2010년 9월 28일)". September 28, 2010.
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(help) - ^ Lankov 1999, p. 47.
- ^ Buzo 1999, p. 31.
- ^ a b c Buzo 1999, p. 32.
- ^ Kim 1982, p. 140.
- ^ Kim 2000, p. 257.
- ^ Kim 2000, pp. 257–258.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j Gause 2011, p. 148.
- ^ Gause 2013, p. 40.
- ^ a b "Kim Jong Un Appointed "First Secretary" of Korean Workers' Party". North Korea Leadership Watch. April 11, 2012. Retrieved March 13, 2014.
Bibliography
Articles, books and journal entries
- Haggard, Stephen; Herman, Luke; Ryu, Jaesung (July–August 2014). "Political Change in North Korea: Mapping the Succession". Asian Survey. 54 (4). University of California Press: 773–780. doi:10.1525/as.2014.54.4.773. JSTOR 10.1525/as.2014.54.4.773.
- Kim, Nam-Sik (Spring–Summer 1982). "North Korea's Power Structure and Foreign Relations: an Analysis of the Sixth Congress of the KWP". The Journal of East Asian Affairs. 2 (1). Institute for National Security Strategy: 125–151. JSTOR 23253510.
{{cite journal}}
: CS1 maint: ref duplicates default (link) - Lankov, Andrei N. (1999). "Kim Il Sung's Campaign against the Soviet Faction in Late 1955 and the Birth of Chuch'e". Korean Studies. 23 (1): 43–67. doi:10.1353/ks.1999.0003. ISSN 1529-1529.
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(help) - Staff writer (2012 & 2014). Understanding North Korea. Ministry of Unification.
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(help)
Books
- Buzo, Adrian (1999). The Guerilla Dynasty: Politics and Leadership in North Korea. I.B. Tauris. ISBN 1860644147.
- Gause, Ken E. (2011). North Korea Under Kim Chong-il: Power, Politics, and Prospects for Change. ABC-CLIO. ISBN 978-0313381751.
- — (2013). "The Role and Influence of the Party Apparatus". In Park, Kyung-ae; Snyder, Scott (eds.). North Korea in Transition: Politics, Economy, and Society. Rowman & Littlefield. pp. 19–46. ISBN 978-1442218123.
{{cite book}}
: Invalid|ref=harv
(help) - Kim, Samuel (2000). "North Korean Informal Politics". Informal Politics in East Asia. Cambridge University Press. ISBN 0521645387.
- Lankov, Andrei (2007). Crisis in North Korea: The Failure of De-Stalinization, 1956. University of Hawaii Press. ISBN 978-0824832070.
- Suh, Dae-sook (1988). Kim Il Sung: The North Korean Leader (1st ed.). Columbia University Press. ISBN 0231065736.