# Politburo of the Workers' Party of Korea

In North Korea, the Political Bureau of the Central Committee of the Workers' Party of Korea (WPK), or simply the Politburo, formerly the Political Committee (1946–61), is the highest decision-making body in the ruling party between sessions of its Central Committee. Article 25 of the Party Charter stipulates that "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." 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. 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. Leading members have disappeared without explanation; the last was Kim Tong-gyu, in 1977. Politburo members under Kim Il Sung and Kim Jong Il lacked a strong power base, and depended on the party leader for their position. Because of this, the Politburo became a loyal servant of the party leader.
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. 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. 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.
Similar to the Central Committee, the Politburo was dormant during much of Kim Jong Il's rule; however, the 3rd Conference elected new Politburo members. 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). The majority of new members were aides to Kim Jong Il or Kim family members. Kim Kyong-hui (Kim Jong Il's sister) and Jang Song-thaek (Kim Kyong-hui's husband) were appointed full and candidate member, respectively. Several of Jang's protégés 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). 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. Most of the new members were cabinet members, military officials, party secretaries or officials from the security establishment. Ten members from the National Defense Commission and three deputy premiers were appointed to the Politbüro. 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. At the 4th Conference, one-third of the Politburo was dismissed in unannounced retirements and dismissals. 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. Kwak Pom-gi, O Kuk-ryol, Ro Tu-chol, Ri Pyong-sam and Jo Yon-jun were elected candidate members.

## 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 State Affairs Commission.
The Politburo'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.

## Current membership

As of May 2024, the Politburo is composed of 16 members and 12 alternate members, with the following line-up.

### Members

| Member | Member since | Party position(s) | State position(s) |
| Kim Jong Un 김정은 (born 1984) | 11 April 2012 | General Secretary of the Workers' Party of Korea Politburo Presidium Member | President of the State Affairs Commission Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces |
| Kim Tok-hun 김덕훈 (born 1962) | 31 December 2019 | Politburo Presidium Member | Vice President of the State Affairs Commission Premier |
| Jo Yong-won 조용원 | 10 January 2021 | Politburo Presidium Member Secretary for Organizational Affairs of the Central Committee Director of the Organization and Guidance Department Member of the Central Military Commission | Member of the State Affairs Commission |
| Choe Ryong-hae 최룡해 (born 1950) | 11 April 2012 | Politburo Presidium Member | First Vice President of the State Affairs Commission Chairman of the Standing Committee of the Supreme People's Assembly |
| Ri Pyong-chol 리병철 | 25 April 2022 | Politburo Presidium Member Secretary of the Central Committee Vice Chairman of the Central Military Commission | |
| Ri Il-hwan 리일환 (born 1960) | 31 December 2019 | Secretary of the Central Committee | Member of the State Affairs Commission |
| Pak Jong-chon 박정천 | 11 April 2020 | Secretary of the Central Committee Vice Chairman of the Central Military Commission | Member of the State Affairs Commission |
| Kim Jae-ryong 김재룡 (born 1959) | 9 April 2019 | Secretary of the Central Committee Director of the Cadre Affairs Department |
| Jo Chun-ryong 조춘룡 | 31 December 2023 (alt: 8 June 2022) | Secretary of the Central Committee | |
| Jon Hyon-chol 전현철 | 8 June 2022 (alt: 10 January 2021) | Secretary of the Central Committee Director of the Economic Affairs Department | Chairman of the SPA Budget Committee |
| Pak Thae-song 박태성 (born 1955) | 8 June 2022 | Secretary of the Central Committee | |
| O Su-yong 오수용 | 18 June 2023 (second tenure) | Secretary of the Central Committee Director of a department | |
| Jong Kyong-thaek 정경택 (born 1961) | 10 April 2019 | Director of the KPA General Political Bureau Member of the Central Military Commission | Member of the State Affairs Commission |
| Pak Jong-gun 박정근 | 31 December 2021 | | Vice Premier Chairman of the State Planning Commission |
| Ri Yong-gil 리영길 (born 1955) | 10 January 2021 | Member of the Central Military Commission | Member of the State Affairs Commission Chief of the KPA General Staff |
| Ri Thae-sop 리태섭 | 8 June 2022 (alt: 31 December 2021) | Member of the Central Military Commission | Member of the State Affairs Commission Minister of Public Security |
| Choe Son-hui 최선희 | 29 December 2024 | | Minister of Foreign Affairs Deputy of the 14th Supreme People's Assembly |
| Ri Yong-gil 리영길 | 29 December 2024 | Vice Chairman of the Central Military Commission | Chief of the General Staff Vice Marshal of the Korean People's Army |

### Alternate members

| Alternate member | Alternate member since | Party position(s) | State position(s) |
| Kang Sun-nam | 31 December 2022 | Member of the Central Military Commission | Minister of National Defense |
| Choe Son-hui 최선희 | 8 June 2022 | | Minister of Foreign Affairs |
| Pak Thae-dok 박태덕 (born 1955) | 10 January 2021 | Vice Chairman of the Central Auditing Commission Director of the Discipline Investigation Department | |
| Jo Chang-il | 31 December 2022 | Director of the Publicity and Information Department | |
| Kim Hyong-sik 김형식 | 10 January 2021 | Director of the Legal Department | |
| Han Kwang-sang 한광상 | 8 June 2022 | Director of the Light Industry Department | |
| Kim Song-nam 김성남 | 11 February 2021 | Director of the International Department | Member of the State Affairs Commission |
| Kim Yong-chol 리선권 | 18 June 2023 (second tenure) | Advisor to the United Front Department | |
| Ri Chol-man 리철만 | 10 January 2021 | Director of the Agriculture Department | |
| Yang Sung-ho 우상철 | 10 January 2021 | | Vice Premier |
| Ri Chang-dae 리창대 | 8 June 2022 | Member of the Central Military Commission | Minister of State Security |
| Kim Su-gil | 31 December 2022 | Chief Secretary of the WPK Pyongyang City Committee | |