State Affairs Commission of North Korea
The State Affairs Commission of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (SAC) is defined by the 2016 constitution as "the supreme policy-oriented leadership body of State power" over North Korea.[1] The current president of the SAC, which is defined by the same constitution, is the head of state of the nation, the Supreme Leader of North Korea.[2]
| 조선민주주의인민공화국 국무위원회 | |
| Agency overview | |
|---|---|
| Formed | 29 June 2016 |
| Preceding agency | |
| Type | Supreme policy-oriented leadership body |
| Jurisdiction | Government of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea |
| Headquarters | Government Complex No. 1, Pyongyang |
| Agency executives |
|
| DPRK State Affairs Commission | |
| Chosŏn'gŭl | 조선민주주의인민공화국 국무위원회 |
|---|---|
| Hancha | 朝鮮民主主義人民共和國國務委員會 |
| Revised Romanization | Joseon minjujuui inmin gonghwaguk gungmu wiwonhoe |
| McCune–Reischauer | Chosŏn minjujuŭi inmin konghwaguk kungmu wiwŏnhoe |
History Edit
The National Defence Commission was created in 1972 as per the 1972 Constitution, originally the commission's mandate was to supervise national defense matters within North Korea.[3]
Per the 4th plenary session of the Supreme People's Assembly in June 2016 the National Defence Commission was officially replaced by the State Affairs Commission, with an expanded focus towards other national concerns aside from defense and security.
Powers and responsibilities Edit
Article 106 of the Constitution of North Korea defines the State Affairs Commission as the supreme state organ of policy direction of state sovereignty.[1] Article 109 of the Constitution states that the SAC's powers are to:[4] [5]
- deliberate and decide on major policies of the State including defence and security policies;
- exercise supervision over the fulfillment of the orders of the President of the State Affairs Commission of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea and the decisions and directives of the Commission, and take measures for their fulfillment;
- abrogate decisions and directives of State organs which run counter to the orders of the President of the SAC-DPRK and the decisions and directives of the Commission in its meetings.
In practice, SAC supervises the Cabinet of North Korea. It also directly supervises the three ministries that are not under the Cabinet, namely the Ministry of Defence, Ministry of State Security and the Ministry of Social Security as well as the Korean People's Army, mainly the General Staff Department of the Korean People's Army and General Political Bureau of the Korean People's Army. The Supreme Guard Command which is responsible for the top leadership and government protection is also under its command. One additional entity, the State Physical Culture and Sports Guidance Commission(국가체육지도위원회), is also under the SAC as its Chairman is appointed by the Commission.[6][7]
Members Edit
The following are the current members of the State Affairs Commission as of 29 September 2021:[8][9][10]
| President of the State Affairs Commission | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| President | Political party | Member since | Other positions | ||
| Kim Jong Un 김정은 (born 1984) | Workers' Party of Korea | 29 June 2016 | |||
| First Vice President of the State Affairs Commission | |||||
| First Vice President | Political party | Member since | Other positions | ||
| Choe Ryong-hae 최룡해 (born 1950) | Workers' Party of Korea | 29 June 2016 | |||
| Vice President of the State Affairs Commission | |||||
| Vice President | Political party | Member since | Other positions | ||
| Kim Tok-hun 김덕훈 (born 1961) | Workers' Party of Korea | 29 September 2021 | |||
| Members of the State Affairs Commission | |||||
| Member | Political party | Member since | Other positions | ||
| Kim Yong-chol 김영철 (born 1945) | Workers' Party of Korea | 29 June 2016 |
| ||
| Jong Kyong-thaek 정경택 | Workers' Party of Korea | 11 April 2018 | |||
| Ri Son-gwon 리선권 | Workers' Party of Korea | 12 April 2020 | |||
| Jo Yong-won 조용원 (born 1957) | Workers' Party of Korea | 29 September 2021 | |||
| Pak Jong-chon 박정천 | Workers' Party of Korea | 29 September 2021 | |||
| O Su-yong 오수용 (born 1944) | Workers' Party of Korea | 29 September 2021 |
| ||
| Ri Yong-gil 리영길 (born 1955) | Workers' Party of Korea | 29 September 2021 | |||
| Jang Jong-nam 장정남 | Workers' Party of Korea | 29 September 2021 | |||
| Kim Song-nam 김성남 (born 1953) | Workers' Party of Korea | 29 September 2021 |
| ||
| Kim Yo-jong 김여정 (born 1987) | Workers' Party of Korea | 29 September 2021 |
| ||
References Edit
- ^ a b Socialist Constitution of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea 2016, Article 106.
- ^ Socialist Constitution of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea 2016, Article 100.
- ^ "SECTION 2. THE CHAIRMAN OF THE STATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION OF THE DEMOCRATIC PEOPLE'S REPUBLIC OF KOREA". Naenara. Retrieved 2 August 2019.
- ^ Socialist Constitution of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea 2016, Article 109.
- ^ Overview of North Korea’s NBC Infrastructure
- ^ "Organizational Chart of North Korean Leadership" (PDF). Seoul: Political and Military Analysis Division, Intelligence and Analysis Bureau; Ministry of Unification. January 2018. Retrieved 17 October 2018.
- ^ Coduti, Maria Rosaria. The State Affairs Commission and the consolidation of Kim Jong-un's power
- ^ "In full: promotions and demotions at North Korea's 14th SPA". NK PRO. Korea Risk Group. 12 April 2019. Retrieved 17 April 2019.
- ^ "Second-day Sitting of 5th Session of 14th SPA of DPRK Held". KCNA Watch. 30 September 2021. Retrieved 30 September 2021.
- ^ "At 5th Session of 14th Supreme People's Assembly of DPRK". KCNA Watch. 30 September 2021. Retrieved 30 September 2021.
Works cited Edit
- Socialist Constitution of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea: Amended and supplemented on June 29, Juche 105 (2016), at the Fourth Session of the 13th Supreme People's Assembly (PDF). 2016 [1972].