Politburo of the Workers' Party of Korea

The Political Bureau of the Central Committee of the Workers' Party of Korea, or simply the Politburo, formerly the Political Committee (1946–61), is the executive committee of the Central Committee of the Workers' Party of Korea.

Currently, the bureau is a group of 17 top officials who oversee the party and central government. The politburo is headed by the general secretary. Unlike the politburos of other communist parties, the WPK Politburo subdelegates many of its powers to the smaller Politburo Presidium.

The Politburo is elected by the Central Committee of the Workers' Party of Korea, and is the highest decision-making body in WPK between sessions of the Central Committee. Article 25 of the Party Charter stipulates that "The Political Bureau of the Party Central Committee and its Presidium 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 general secretary of the Workers' Party of Korea convenes and presides over Politburo meetings.

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, such as the Premier and the vice-chairmen of the State Affairs Commission as of June 2025.

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 March 2026, the Politburo is composed of 19 members and 11 alternate members, with the following line-up.

Members MemberMember sinceParty position(s)State position(s)Kim Jong Un김정은(born 1984)11 April 2012 General Secretary of the Workers' Party of Korea Politburo Presidium Member Chairman of the Central Military Commission President of State Affairs Supreme Commander of the Armed ForcesPak Thae-song박태성(born 1955)10 January 2021 Politburo Presidium Member Vice President of the State Affairs Commission PremierJo Yong-won조용원10 January 2021 Politburo Presidium Member First Vice President of the State Affairs Commission Chairman of the Standing Committee of the Supreme People's Assembly Chairman of the Supreme People's AssemblyKim Jae-ryong김재룡9 April 2019 Politburo Presidium Member Secretary of the Central Committee Director of the Organization and Guidance Department Member of the State Affairs CommissionRi Il-hwan리일환31 December 2019 Politburo Presidium Member Secretary of the Central Committee Director of the Workers' and Social Organizations Department Member of the State Affairs CommissionJong Kyong-thaek정경택(born 1961)10 April 2019 Vice Chairman of the Central Military Commission Secretary of the Central Committee Director of the Military Leadership Department Member of the State Affairs CommissionKim Song-nam김성남23 February 2026(alt. since 11 February 2021) Director of the International Affairs Department Member of the State Affairs Commission Chairman of the Supreme People's Assembly Foreign Affairs CommitteeSin Yong-il23 February 2026 Secretary of the Central Committee Department directorRi Hi-yong27 December 2024 Secretary of the Central Committee Chairman of the Central Auditing Commission Director of the Cadre Affairs Department Member of the State Affairs Commission Chairman of the Supreme People's Assembly Legislation CommitteeJu Chang-il23 February 2026(alt. since 31 December 2022) Secretary of the Central Committee Director of the Publicity and Information DepartmentJo Chun-ryong조춘룡10 April 2019 Secretary of the Central Committee Director of the Munitions Industry Department Member of the Central Military CommissionAn Kum-chol23 February 2026 Secretary of the Central Committee Director of the Economic Affairs Department Chairman of the Supreme People's Assembly Budget CommitteeKim Jong-gwan김정관27 December 2024 Secretary of the Central Committee Department directorKim Sung-du23 February 2026 Secretary of the Central Committee Director of the Science and Education DepartmentChoe Son-hui최선희27 December 2024(alternate since 20 April 2020) Member of the State Affairs Commission Minister of Foreign AffairsNo Kwang-chol노광철27 December 2024 Member of the Central Military Commission Member of the State Affairs Commission Minister of National DefenceKim Song-gi김성기23 February 2026 Director of the KPA General Political Bureau Member of the Central Military CommissionKim Tok-hun김덕훈(born 1962)31 December 2019 Member of the State Affairs Commission First Vice PremierPak Jong-gun박정근31 December 2021 Vice Premier Chairman of the State Planning Commission

Alternate members Alternate memberAlternatemember sinceParty position(s)State position(s)Kim Yo Jong김여정23 February 2026 Director of the General Affairs DepartmentPak Kwang-ung23 February 2026 Vice Chairman of the Central Auditing Commission Director of the Discipline Inspection DepartmentHan Kwang-sang한광상8 June 2022 Director of the Light Industry DepartmentJu Chol-gyu23 February 2026 Director of the Agriculture DepartmentJon Hyon-chol전현철23 February 2026 Vice PremierPak Hun23 February 2026 Vice PremierRi Chol-man리철만10 January 2021 Vice Premier Chairman of the Agricultural CommissionRi Yong-gil리영길(born 1955)10 January 2021 Member of the Central Military Commission Chief of the Korean People's Army General StaffRi Chang-dae리창대8 June 2022 Member of the State Affairs Commission Minister of State SecurityPang Tu-sop27 December 2024 Member of the State Affairs Commission Minister of Public SecurityKim Chol-won27 December 2024 Procurator-General of the Central Prosecutor's Office

Politburo of the Workers' Party of Korea

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