The Presidium of the Political Bureau of the Workers' Party of Korea, or simply the Presidium, and formerly known as the Standing Committee (1946–61), is a committee consisting of the top leadership of the Workers' Party of Korea. Historically, it has been composed of one to five members, and currently has five members. Its officially mandated purpose is to conduct policy discussions and make decisions on major issues when the Politburo, a larger decision-making body, is not in session. While the Presidium in theory reports to the Politburo, which in turn reports to the larger Central Committee, in practice the Presidium is supreme over its parent bodies and acts as the most powerful decision-making body in North Korea. The general secretary of the Workers' Party of Korea convenes and presides over Presidium of the Politburo meetings. As North Korea is a one-party state, the Presidium's decisions de facto have the force of law. Its role is roughly analogous to that of the Politburo Standing Committee of the Chinese Communist Party.
History The Presidium was revitalized at the 3rd Conference, with four new members appointed: Kim Yong-nam (President of the Presidium of the Supreme People's Assembly, head of state), Choe Yong-rim (Premier, head of government), Vice Marshal Jo Myong-rok (Director of the General Political Bureau of the Korean People's Army) and Vice Marshal Ri Yong-ho (Chief of the General Staff). The appointment of two military officers was considered by outside observers to be in line with Kim Jong Il's military-first politics. It was believed that Ri Yong-ho was Kim Jong Un's personal military escort at the time, similar to O Jin-u's role during Kim Jong Il's early rule. At the 4th Conference, Chasu Choe Ryong-hae was appointed to the Standing Committee.
Current members
MemberMember sinceOther positionsKim Jong Un김정은(born 1984)11 April 2012 General Secretary of the Workers' Party of Korea President of the State Affairs CommissionPak Thae-song박태성(born 1955)23 February 2026 Vice President of the State Affairs Commission Premier of the CabinetJo Yong-won조용원(born 1957)10 January 2021 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-ryong김재룡(born 1959)23 February 2026 Secretary of the Central Committee of the Workers' Party of Korea Director of the Organizational Leadership Department Member of the State Affairs Commission of North KoreaRi Il-hwan리일환(born 1960)23 February 2026 Secretary of the Central Committee of the Workers' Party of Korea Director of the Publicity and Information Department
See also Politburo Standing Committee of the Chinese Communist Party Four pillars (Vietnam)
References Footnotes
Bibliography