Politics of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea 조선민주주의인민공화국의 정치 (Korean) | |
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Polity type | Unitary one-party socialist republic under a constitutional republic |
Constitution | Constitution of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea |
Legislative branch | |
Name | Supreme People's Assembly |
Type | Unicameral |
Meeting place | Mansudae Assembly Hall |
Presiding officer | Pak In-chol, Chairman of the Supreme People's Assembly |
Executive branch | |
Supreme leader | |
Title | General Secretary |
Currently | Kim Jong Un |
Appointer | Central Committee |
Head of state | |
Title | President of the State Affairs |
Currently | Kim Jong Un |
Appointer | Appointed by the Supreme People's Assembly |
Head of government | |
Title | Premier |
Currently | Kim Tok-hun |
Appointer | Appointed by the Supreme People's Assembly |
Cabinet | |
Name | Cabinet |
Leader | Pak Jong-gun |
Deputy leader | Vice Premier |
Appointer | Premier |
Ministries | 43 |
Judicial branch | |
Name | Judiciary of North Korea |
Central Court | |
Chief judge | Kang Yun-sok |
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The politics of North Korea (officially the Democratic People's Republic of Korea or DPRK) takes place within the framework of the official state philosophy, Kimilsungism-Kimjongilism. Juche, which is a part of Kimilsungism-Kimjongilism, is the belief that only through self-reliance and a strong independent state, can true socialism be achieved.[1][2]
North Korea's political system is built upon the principle of centralization. The constitution defines North Korea as "a dictatorship of people's democracy"[3] under the leadership of the Workers' Party of Korea (WPK), which is given legal supremacy over other political parties. WPK General Secretary is typically the supreme leader, who controls the WPK Presidium, the WPK Politburo, the WPK Secretariat and the WPK Central Military Commission, making the officeholder the most powerful person in North Korea.
The WPK is the ruling party of North Korea. It has been in power since its creation in 1948. Other minor political parties also exist, but are legally bound to accept the ruling role of the WPK.[4] Elections occur only in single-candidate races where the candidate is effectively selected beforehand by the WPK.[5] In addition to the parties, there are over 100 mass organizations controlled by the WPK.[6][7] Those who are not WPK members are required to join one of these organizations.[8] Of these, the most important ones are the Socialist Patriotic Youth League, Socialist Women's Union of Korea, General Federation of Trade Unions of Korea, and Union of Agricultural Workers of Korea.[6]
Outside observers generally view North Korea as a totalitarian dictatorship[9][10][11][12] particularly noting the elaborate cult of personality around Kim Il-sung and his family. The WPK, led by a member of the ruling family,[13] holds power in the state.[14] The government has formally replaced all references to Marxism–Leninism in its constitution with the locally developed concept of Juche, or self-reliance. Kim Jong Il placed emphasis on the Songun or "military-first" philosophy, and all references to communism were removed from the North Korean constitution in 2009.[15] Under Kim Jong Un, terminology such as communism and the socialist economy is again in common use.[16] He additionally made Kimilsungism-Kimjongilism the main ideology of the country.
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