Ministry of Defence (North Korea)

The Ministry of Defence (Korean: 국방성; Hanja: 國防省, formerly 인민무력성/人民武力省 or Ministry of the People's Armed Forces) is the government agency under the State Affairs Commission tasked with general administrative and logistical coordination of the Korean People's Army (KPA). The current Minister of National Defence is General Kang Sun-nam.

Ministry of Defence
Agency overview
Jurisdiction North Korea
HeadquartersPyongyang
39°3′39″N 125°44′20″E
Minister responsible
Parent agencyState Affairs Commission
Ministry of Defence
Chosŏn'gŭl
조선민주주의인민공화국 국방성
Hancha
朝鮮民主主義人民共和國 國防省
Revised RomanizationJoseon Minjujuui Inmin Gonghwaguk Gukbangseong
McCune–ReischauerChosŏn Minjujuŭi Inmin Konghwaguk Kukpangsŏng

History

Until December 1972, the Minister of the People's Armed Forces was called the Minister of National Defence (민족보위상).[1] It then changed to the Ministry of the People's Armed Forces.

Prior to 1992, it was under the direct control of supreme commander and president, with guidance from the National Defence Commission and the Workers' Party Central Military Commission. The 1992 amendment to the Constitution of North Korea shifts its control to the National Defence Commission. The 2016 amendment shifted its control to the State Affairs Commission.

Duties

The Ministry of Defence is essentially an umbrella agency gathering the KPA's logistical, political, and personnel components.[2] The ministry also has departments which coordinate relations with foreign militaries, as well as regulating Government-owned corporations related to the defence industry and other foreign currency earning ventures.

The ministry, through the General Staff Department is responsible for the daily operational planning and management of the KPA's ground, naval, and air commands. It develops strategy, conducts education and training, conveys the orders and guidance of the KPA Supreme Command and completes certain signals intelligence tasks.

Departments

The Ministry of National Defence contains the following departments:[3]

Both the Director of the General Political Bureau and Chief of the General Staff have more power than the Minister.

Ministers of Defence
No. Portrait MinisterTook officeLeft officeTime in officeDefence branch
1
Choe Yong-gon최용건
Yong-gon, ChoeVice Marshal
Choe Yong-gon
최용건
(1900–1976)		September 1948September 19579 years Korean People's Army Ground Force
2
Kim Kwang-hyop김광협
Kwang-hyop, KimGeneral
Kim Kwang-hyop
김광협
(1915–1970)		September 1957October 19625 years, 1 month Korean People's Army Ground Force
3
Kim Chang-bong김창봉
Chang-bong, KimGeneral
Kim Chang-bong
김창봉		October 1962December 19686 years, 2 months Korean People's Army Ground Force
4
Choe Hyon최현
Hyon, ChoeGeneral
Choe Hyon
최현
(1907–1982)		December 1968May 19767 years, 5 months Korean People's Army Ground Force
5
O Jin-u오진우
Jin-u, OMarshal
O Jin-u
오진우
(1917–1995)		May 1976February 199518 years, 9 months Korean People's Army Ground Force
6
Choe Kwang최광
Kwang, ChoeMarshal
Choe Kwang
최광
(1918–1997)		October 1995February 19971 year, 4 months Korean People's Army Ground Force
7
Kim Il-chol김일철
Il-chol, KimVice Marshal
Kim Il-chol
김일철
(1933–2023)		February 1997February 200912 years Korean People's Navy
8
Kim Yong-chun김영춘
Yong-chun, KimVice Marshal
Kim Yong-chun
김영춘
(1936–2018)		February 2009April 20123 years, 2 months Korean People's Army Ground Force
9
Kim Jong-gak김정각
Jong-gak, KimVice Marshal
Kim Jong-gak
김정각
(born 1941)		April 2012November 20127 months Korean People's Army Ground Force
10
Kim Kyok-sik김격식
Kyok-sik, KimGeneral
Kim Kyok-sik
김격식
(1938–2015)		November 2012May 20136 months Korean People's Army Ground Force
11
Jang Jong-nam장정남
Jong-nam, JangGeneral
Jang Jong-nam
장정남		May 2013June 20141 year, 1 month Korean People's Army Ground Force
12
Hyon Yong-chol현영철
Yong-chol, HyonGeneral
Hyon Yong-chol
현영철
(1949–2015)		June 201412 May 201511 months Korean People's Army Ground Force
Unknown
(12 May 2015 – 11 July 2015)
13
Pak Yong-sik박영식
Yong-sik, PakGeneral
Pak Yong-sik
박영식
(born 1950)		11 July 20154 June 20182 years, 10 months Korean People's Army Ground Force
14
No Kwang-chol노광철
Kwang-chol, NoGeneral
No Kwang-chol
노광철
(born 1956)		4 June 2018December 20191 year, 6 months Korean People's Army Ground Force
15
Kim Jong-gwan김정관
Jong-gwan, KimGeneral
Kim Jong-gwan
김정관		December 201929 September 20211 year, 8 months Korean People's Army Ground Force
16
Ri Yong-gil리영길
Yong-gil, RiVice Marshal
Ri Yong-gil
리영길
(born 1955)		29 September 202128 December 20221 year, 2 months Korean People's Army Ground Force
17
Kang Sun-nam강순남
Sun-nam, KangGeneral
Kang Sun-nam
강순남		28 December 2022[4]Incumbent9 months Korean People's Army Ground Force

See also

References
  1. Tertitskiy, Fyodor (7 February 2018). "The unusual history of North Korea's military foundation day". NK News. Retrieved 10 February 2018.
  2. "38 North Special Report: Recent Changes in Kim Jong Un's High Command". 38north.org. 3 July 2018. Retrieved 3 November 2021.
  3. Worden, Robert L., ed. (2008). North Korea: A Country Study. Library of Congress, Federal Research Division. p. 242. ISBN 9780160814228.
  4. "조선로동당 중앙위원회 제8기 제6차전원회의 공보". KCNA Watch. Retrieved 1 January 2023.
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