President of the State Affairs of North Korea facts for kids

Quick facts for kids President of the State Affairs Commission of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea
Flag of the president of the State Affairs
Emblem of the president of the State Affairs
Incumbent Kim Jong Un since 29 June 2016
State Affairs Commission of North Korea
Style	Respected Comrade (domestic) His Excellency (diplomatic)
Residence	Forbidden City Ryongsong Residence
Seat	Pyongyang
Nominator	Supreme People's Assembly
Appointer	Supreme People's Assembly
Term length	Five years, renewable
Constituting instrument	Constitution of North Korea
Precursor	Chairman of the National Defence Commission
Inaugural holder	Kim Il Sung (as NDC chairman) Kim Jong Un (as SAC president)
Formation	28 December 1972 (as NDC chairman) 29 June 2016 (as SAC president)
Deputy	Vice President of the State Affairs

The President of the State Affairs Commission of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea is the top leader and head of state in North Korea. This important role is sometimes called "President of State Affairs." The president leads the State Affairs Commission (SAC). This commission is the highest leadership group in North Korea. The president also serves as the main commander of North Korea's armed forces, called the Korean People's Army.

The North Korean constitution gives the president many powers. They lead all state matters and choose important government officials. The president can also send diplomats to other countries and sign treaties. They can declare a state of emergency or war. During wartime, they direct the country's defense. The president also has full control over North Korea's nuclear weapons.

The Supreme People's Assembly elects the President of the State Affairs. This position is usually held by the general secretary of the Workers' Party of Korea (WPK). The WPK is the ruling political party in North Korea. The president's term lasts for five years, just like the Supreme People's Assembly. There is no limit to how many terms a president can serve.

The current president is Kim Jong Un. He started his term on June 29, 2016. He was re-elected on April 11, 2019.

History of the Leadership Role

The top leadership position in North Korea has changed names and powers over time. It started as the Chairman of the National Defence Commission. Later, it became the First Chairman, and now it is the President of the State Affairs Commission.

Chairman of the National Defence Commission

The position first began on December 28, 1972. It was called the chairman of the National Defence Commission of the Central People's Committee. At that time, the National Defence Commission was part of the Central People's Committee. This committee was North Korea's highest leadership body from 1972 to 1998.

The 1972 North Korean constitution said that the president of North Korea was also the chairman of this commission. This president was also the supreme commander of the armed forces. Kim Il Sung, who was the president of North Korea, held this chairman role from 1972 to 1993.

On April 9, 1992, the position changed names to the chairman of the National Defence Commission. This happened after a change to the 1972 constitution. The National Defence Commission became a separate body. The chairman's powers grew, making them the head of North Korea's top military group.

After this change, the president no longer had to be the chairman of the National Defence Commission. This allowed Kim Jong Il, Kim Il Sung's chosen successor, to be elected chairman on April 9, 1993. Before this, Kim Jong Il was the first vice chairman in 1990. He also became the supreme commander of the Korean People's Army in 1991.

After Kim Il Sung died on July 8, 1994, another change to the constitution happened on September 5, 1998. This change gave even more power to the chairman of the National Defence Commission. Kim Il Sung was named North Korea's "eternal president," and the old president position was removed. The National Defence Commission became the main leadership body in the country. Its chairman held the highest office.

Even though the chairman of the National Defence Commission was the highest office, it was not officially the head of state. From 1998 to 2019, the president of the Presidium of the Supreme People's Assembly was named the country's head of state.

On April 9, 2009, the chairman's powers expanded again. The chairman was officially named the supreme leader of the country. They could direct all state affairs and sign important agreements with other countries. The chairman could also appoint or remove important defense officials. They could grant special pardons, declare emergencies or war, and order military mobilization.

Kim Jong Il was re-elected as chairman in 1998, 2003, and 2009. He served until he died on December 17, 2011.

First Chairman of the National Defence Commission

After Kim Jong Il passed away, the chairman position was empty for a few months.

On April 13, 2012, the constitution was changed again. Kim Jong Il was named the eternal chairman of the National Defence Commission. A new position was created: first chairman of the National Defence Commission. This new role was named the supreme leader of the country.

Kim Jong Un, Kim Jong Il's chosen successor, was elected as the first chairman on April 13, 2012. He was re-elected in April 2014.

President of the State Affairs Commission

On June 29, 2016, the Supreme People's Assembly approved another constitutional change. The State Affairs Commission was created to replace the National Defence Commission. It became the highest leadership body in North Korea. The new position of chairman of the State Affairs Commission was also created.

Kim Jong Un was elected as chairman of the State Affairs Commission on June 29, 2016. He was re-elected on April 11, 2019.

On April 11, 2019, the constitution was changed again. This made the chairman of the State Affairs Commission the official head of state for North Korea. Another change on August 29 of the same year gave the chairman more powers. These included announcing laws from the Supreme People's Assembly and decisions from the State Affairs Commission. The chairman could also appoint North Korea's diplomats to other countries.

In February 2021, the official English name for the position changed to president of the State Affairs. However, the Korean name still uses the word for "chairman."

How the President is Elected

The Constitution states that the Supreme People's Assembly elects the President of the State Affairs. This election should reflect the "consensus of the entire Korean people."

The election happens during a meeting of the Supreme People's Assembly. The Central Committee of the Workers' Party of Korea suggests a candidate for president. The chairman of the Supreme People's Assembly's Standing Committee presents this suggestion. Then, the Supreme People's Assembly votes for the candidate, usually with everyone agreeing. In reality, this job is always given to the general secretary of the Workers’ Party of Korea, who is the top leader in this one-party state.

The president's term lasts for five years, matching the term of the Supreme People's Assembly. The constitution does not limit how many times a president can be elected. The president cannot also be a member of the Supreme People's Assembly. The Supreme People's Assembly can also remove the president from office.

The constitution does not list other special requirements for the president. So, any North Korean citizen who is at least 17 years old can be elected.

Powers of the President

The President of the State Affairs has many important powers. These powers cover domestic policy, appointments, laws, foreign relations, and military command.

Leading Domestic Policy

The president leads all state work as North Korea's supreme leader. They also head the State Affairs Commission, which is the highest leadership body. This commission discusses and decides on important state policies. The SAC also makes sure that the president's orders and the SAC's decisions are followed. If other state groups make decisions that go against the president's or SAC's orders, the SAC can cancel them.

Choosing Officials and Appointments

The president can suggest people for the first vice president, vice president, and members of the State Affairs Commission. The Supreme People's Assembly then elects these people. The president can also suggest that these officials be removed. The president can also appoint or dismiss other important state officials. However, the constitution does not say exactly who these "important state officials" are.

Making Laws and Directives

The president can suggest topics for the Supreme People's Assembly to discuss. The commission can also suggest topics. The president can announce laws passed by the Supreme People's Assembly. They can also issue decrees and decisions from the State Affairs Commission. The president's orders are more important than regular laws passed by the Supreme People's Assembly. The State Affairs Commission makes sure these orders are carried out.

Handling Foreign Affairs

The president represents North Korea in its dealings with other countries. They are the head of state. The president can sign major treaties and choose North Korea's diplomats for foreign countries. When other countries send their ambassadors to North Korea, they officially present their documents to the president. However, this task is usually handled by the chairman of the SPA Standing Committee.

Commander of the Armed Forces

The president is the commander-in-chief of North Korea's armed forces. This means they command the entire military. The president also has "complete command" over North Korea's nuclear forces. The president can declare a state of emergency or war. They can also order military mobilization. During wartime, they can create a national defense committee.

Other Important Powers

The President of the State Affairs Commission can also grant special pardons to people.

List of Position Holders

Chairman of the National Defence Commission of the Central People's Committee 중앙인민위원회 국방위원회 위원장
No.	Chairman		Political party		Term start	Term end	SPA
1		Kim Il Sung 김일성 (1912–1994)		Workers' Party of Korea	28 December 1972	9 April 1992	5th
							6th
							7th
							8th
							9th
Chairman of the National Defence Commission 국방위원회 위원장
No.	Chairman		Political party		Term start	Term end	SPA
(1)		Kim Il Sung 김일성 (1912–1994)		Workers' Party of Korea	9 April 1992	9 April 1993	9th
2		Kim Jong Il 김정일 (1941–2011)		Workers' Party of Korea	9 April 1993	17 December 2011
							10th
							11th
							12th
Vacant (17 December 2011–13 April 2012)
First Chairman of the National Defence Commission 국방위원회 제1위원장
No.	First Chairman		Political party		Term start	Term end	SPA
3		Kim Jong Un 김정은 (born 1983)		Workers' Party of Korea	13 April 2012	29 June 2016	12th
							13th
President of the State Affairs 국무위원장
No.	President		Political party		Term start	Term end	SPA
(3)		Kim Jong Un 김정은 (born 1983)		Workers' Party of Korea	29 June 2016	Incumbent	13th
							14th

See also

• General Secretary of the Workers' Party of Korea
• Central Military Commission of the Workers' Party of Korea
• Vice President of the State Affairs Commission
• President of South Korea

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