National Defence Commission

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Democratic People's Republic of Korea
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DPRK National Defence Commission
Chosŏn'gŭl 조선민주주의인민공화국 국방위원회
Hancha 朝鮮民主主義人民共和國國防委員會
Revised Romanization Joseon minjujuui inmin gonghwaguk gukbang wiwonhoe
McCune–Reischauer Chosŏn minjujuŭi inmin konghwaguk kukpang wiwŏnhoe

The National Defence Commission of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (NDC) is defined by the 1998 constitution as “the highest guiding organ of the military and the managing organ of military matters.” The Chairman of the National Defence Commission controls the armed forces and, in this state where the military pre-dominates, is the most powerful position in the country and was held by Kim Jong-Il up until his death.

The First Session of the 12th Supreme People’s Assembly of the DPRK unanimously re-elected[1] Kim Jong Il chairman of the NDC of the DPRK with Jo Myong-rok first vice-chairman. Kim Jong-il's brother-in-law Chang Song-taek was also elected an additional vice-chairman.

Currently Kim Jong-un is the First Chairman of the NDC.

History

The National Defence Commission was created in 1972, with a group of commissions subordinate to the Central People’s Committee, as part of the 1972 DPRK Constitution. The first National Defence Commission consisted of four members (Kim Il-sung; Choe Hyon; O Jin-u; and O Paek Ryong). The NDC was chartered in Chapter VII, Article 105:

The Central People’s Committee establishes a Domestic Policy Commission, a Foreign Policy Commission, a National Defence Commission, a Justice and Security Commission and other respective commissions to assist in its work.

The National Defence Commission, though nominally under the Supreme People's Assembly, was confirmed as the highest state body, with ultimate executive power (including responsibility for the armed forces) resting with its chairman, in 1998 through a constitutional amendment.

The Fifth Session of the 12th Supreme People's Assembly, held on 13 April 2012, proclaimed Kim Jong-il as the "Eternal Chairman of the National Defence Commission". The Constitution was revised to replace it with the First Chairman post, with the late leader's son and successor Kim Jong-un appointed to the new position.

Kim Jong-un has taken over as the First Chairman of the Commission, this organization seems to have faded somewhat into the background. It is a mouthpiece on certain issues, especially focused on inter-Korean relations, and is the source for announcements regarding tests of critical defense systems. Also, as of early 2014, there have been no reported meetings of the NDC.

Powers and responsibilities

Article 106 of the Constitution of North Korea states that the National Defence Commission is "the supreme national defence guidance organ of state sovereignty". Article 109 of the Constitution states that the NDC’s powers are to:[2]

  • Establish important policies of the state for carrying out the military-first revolutionary line.
  • Guide the overall armed forces and defense-building work of the state.
  • Supervise the status of executing the orders of the chairman of the DPRK NDC and the decisions and directives of the NDC, and establish relevant measures.
  • Rescind the decisions and directives of state organs that run counter to the orders of the chairman of the NDC and to the decisions and directives of the NDC.
  • Establish or abolish central organs of the national defence sector.
  • Institute military titles and confer military titles above the general-grade officer rank.

As a defense issues guider and coordinator, the security organizations in North Korea are subordinate to the Commission and among them are the Korean People's Army, the Ministry of People's Armed Forces and the State Security Department and the Ministry of People's Security.

Structure

Among the departments that are known in the NDC are:[3]

  • Administration Department
  • Foreign Affairs Department
  • Reconnaissance General Bureau
  • Policy Department

Security agencies and organizations that subordinated to the Commission:

Current composition of the DPRK NDC as of 9 December 2013

These are the members of the DPRK NDC after the 8 December 2013 Worker's Party Politburo meeting that resulted in a resolution approving the removal of Chang Sung-taek from all party, state and military positions, including his post as NDC vice chairman, thus reducing the number of vice chairmen to 3.

See also

References

  1. ↑ "DPRK Holds Election of Local and National Assemblies". People's Korea. Retrieved June 28, 2008. 
  2. ↑ Article 109 of the Constitution of North Korea
  3. ↑ CORI Country ReportDemocratic People’s Republic of Korea, October 2012, p. 13

Further reading

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