Chairman of the State Affairs Commission
The Chairman of the State Affairs Commission of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea is the supreme leader and head of state of North Korea. The Chairman heads the State Affairs Commission, which is the highest leadership institution in North Korea, and serves as the commander-in-chief of the North Korean armed forces.
The North Korean constitution gives the Chairman of the State Affairs Commission the power to lead the overall affairs of the state and appoint important state officials. The Chairman also has the power to appoint diplomatic representatives and conclude treaties with other countries. The Chairman can declare a state of emergency, a state of war or a mobilization order and direct the country's national defense during times of war.
The Chairman of the State Affairs Commission is elected by the Supreme People's Assembly. The position is usually held by the Chairman of the Workers’ Party of Korea, who leads the ruling political party of North Korea. The term of the SAC Chairman is the same as that of the Supreme People's Assembly and has no term limits.
The current Chairman of the State Affairs Commission is Kim Jong-un, who took office in 29 June 2016 and was re-elected in 11 April 2019.
History
Chairman of the National Defense Commission
The position was first established as the Chairman of the National Defense Commission of the Central People's Committee of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea on 28 December 1972. At that time, the National Defense Commission was a commission subordinate to the Central People's Committee, which was the highest leadership institution in North Korea from 1972 until 1998.The 1972 North Korean constitution stated that the President of North Korea is also the Chairman of the National Defense Commission, as well as the supreme commander of the country's armed forces. Kim Il-sung, who was the President of North Korea, was the Chairman of the National Defense Commission from 28 December 1972 until 9 April 1993.
On 22 May 1992, the position became known as the Chairman of the National Defense Commission of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea following the approval of an amendment to the 1972 constitution that made the National Defense Commission into a separate institution from the Central People's Committee. The amendment expanded the Chairman's powers to become the head of the highest military leadership institution in North Korea.
The 1992 constitutional amendment no longer required the President to also be the Chairman of the National Defense Commission and the supreme commander of the armed forces. This allowed Kim Jong-il, who is Kim Il-sung's designated successor, to be elected as Chairman of the National Defense Commission on 9 April 1993. Prior to his election, Kim Jong-il was elected as first vice Chairman of the National Defense Commission on 24 May 1990 and became the supreme commander of the Korean People's Army on 24 December 1991.
Following Kim Il-sung's death on 8 July 1994, another constitutional amendment was approved on 5 September 1998 which further expanded the powers of the Chairman of the National Defense Commission. The amendment enshrined Kim Il-sung as North Korea's eternal President and abolished the position. While it is not stated by the amended constitution, the National Defense Commission became the de facto highest leadership institution in the country with its Chairman holding the highest office of the state.
Despite the 1998 constitutional amendment effectively making the Chairman of the National Defense Commission the highest office in North Korea, it did not have the status of head of state. The President of the Presidium of the Supreme People's Assembly was designated as the country's head of state from 1998 until 2019.
On 9 April 2009, the powers of the Chairman of the National Defense Commission was expanded through another constitutional amendment. The amendment designated the Chairman as the supreme leader of the country. The Chairman was given the power to direct all state affairs and conclude important treaties with foreign countries. The Chairman can also appoint or dismiss important national defense officials, grant special pardons, declare a state of emergency and a state of war and issue mobilization order.
After his election as Chairman of the National Defense Commission in 1993, Kim Jong-il was re-elected in September 1998, September 2003 and April 2009, and served in this position until his death on 17 December 2011.
First Chairman of the National Defense Commission
Following Kim Jong Il's death, the position of Chairman of the National Defense Commission remained vacant from December 2011 until April 2012.A constitutional amendment was approved on 13 April 2012 which enshrined Kim Jong Il as the eternal Chairman of the National Defence Commission of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea. The amendment also created the position of First Chairman of the National Defence Commission of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea which was designated as the supreme leader of the country.
Kim Jong-un, who is Kim Jong-il's designated successor, was elected as first Chairman of the National Defense Commission on 13 April 2012 and was re-elected in April 2014.
Chairman of the State Affairs Commission
On 29 June 2016, a constitutional amendment was approved that created the State Affairs Commission to replace the National Defense Commission as the highest leadership institution in North Korea. The amendment also created the position of Chairman of the State Affairs Commission.Kim Jong-un was elected as Chairman of the State Affairs Commission on 29 June 2016 and was re-elected on 11 April 2019.
On 11 April 2019, the constitution was amended to make the Chairman of the State Affairs Commission the head of state of North Korea. Another constitutional amendment on 29 August of the same year gave the Chairman the power to promulgate the ordinances of the Supreme People's Assembly and the decrees and decisions of the State Affairs Commission and appoint North Korea's diplomatic representatives to foreign countries.
Election
According to the Socialist Constitution of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea, the Chairman of the State Affairs Commission is elected by the Supreme People's Assembly. It requires that the election should be according to the “consensus of the entire Korean people.”The election of the Chairman of the State Affairs Commission takes place during a session of the Supreme People's Assembly. The Central Committee of the Workers' Party of Korea sends a proposal to the Supreme People's Assembly for a candidate to be elected as the SAC Chairman. The Central Committee's proposal is introduced to the Supreme People's Assembly by the President of the Presidium of the Supreme People's Assembly. Then, the Supreme People's Assembly unanimously votes for the candidate. In practice, this position is reserved for the Chairman of the Workers’ Party of Korea.
The term of the Chairman of the State Affairs Commission is the same as the term of the Supreme People's Assembly, which is usually five years. The constitution does not set a term limit for the SAC Chairman. The SAC Chairman can not be elected as a deputy to the Supreme People's Assembly.
The Supreme People's Assembly has the power to recall the Chairman of the State Affairs Commission.
The constitution does not set other qualifications to become the Chairman of the State Affairs Commission. However, a person can only be elected if they are a North Korean citizen who is at least 17 years old and have the right to vote.
Powers
Domestic policy
The Chairman of the State Affairs Commission has the power to direct the overall work of the state as the supreme leader of the North Korea.The Chairman also heads the State Affairs Commission, which is the highest leadership institution in North Korea. The State Affairs Commission is responsible for discussing and deciding on important state policies. The SAC also supervises the execution of the orders of the SAC Chairman and the SAC decrees, decisions and directives. Decisions and directives of state institutions that are contrary to the orders of the SAC Chairman or the SAC decrees, decisions and directives can be revoked by the SAC.
Nominations and appointments
The Chairman of the State Affairs Commission has the power to nominate the first vice Chairman, vice Chairman and members of the State Affairs Commission, who are then elected by the Supreme People's Assembly. The Chairman can also propose for their recall by the Supreme People's Assembly.The SAC Chairman also has the power to appoint or dismiss important state officials. However, the constitution does not state who these important state officials are.
The State Affairs Commission, which the Chairman heads, is also responsible for appointing or dismissing the vice premiers, chairmen, ministers and other members of the Cabinet at the proposal of the Cabinet premier when the Supreme People's Assembly is not in session.
Legislation
The Chairman of the State Affairs Commission can submit an agenda that will be discussed by the Supreme People's Assembly. The commission can also submit an agenda to the Supreme People's Assembly.The Chairman of the State Affairs Commission has the power to promulgate ordinances of the Supreme People's Assembly and the SAC decrees, decisions and directives.
The Chairman of the State Affairs Commission can issue orders. The State Affairs Commission supervises the execution of these orders.
Foreign affairs
The Chairman of the State Affairs Commission represents North Korea in its foreign relations as its head of state.The Chairman of the State Affairs Commission can conclude major treaties with foreign countries. The SAC Chairman can also appoint and recall North Korea's diplomatic representatives to foreign countries.
Foreign countries address the credentials and recall of their ambassadors to North Korea to the Chairman of the State Affairs Commission. However, the SAC Chairman delegates the task of receiving the credentials and recall of foreign ambassador to the President of the Presidium of the Supreme People's Assembly.
Commander-in-chief
The Chairman of the State Affairs Commission is the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of North Korea. As commander-in-chief, the SAC Chairman has command of the entire armed forces.The SAC Chairman has the power to declare a state of emergency, a state of war or a mobilization order. In times of war, the SAC Chairman can organize the National Defense Committee.