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 tasked with general administrative and logistical coordination of the Korean People's Army (KPA). 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. The current Minister of National Defence is Kim Jong-gwan, who was appointed to the post in December 2019.[1]

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).[2] It then changed to the Ministry of the People's Armed Forces.

Duties

The Ministry of Defence is essentially an umbrella agency gathering the KPA's logistical, political, and personnel components.[3] 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:[4]

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
Yong-gon, ChoeVice Marshal
Choe Yong-gon
최용건
(1900–1976)		September 1948September 19579 years Korean People's Army Ground Force
2
Kwang-hyop, KimGeneral
Kim Kwang-hyop
김광협
(1915–1970)		September 1957October 19625 years, 1 month Korean People's Army Ground Force
3
Chang-bong, KimGeneral
Kim Chang-bong
김창봉		October 1962December 19686 years, 2 months Korean People's Army Ground Force
4
Hyon, ChoeGeneral
Choe Hyon
최현
(1907–1982)		December 1968May 19767 years, 5 months Korean People's Army Ground Force
5
Jin-u, OMarshal
O Jin-u
오진우
(1917–1995)		May 1976February 199518 years, 9 months Korean People's Army Ground Force
6
Kwang, ChoeMarshal
Choe Kwang
최광
(1918–1997)		October 1995February 19971 year, 4 months Korean People's Army Ground Force
7
Il-chol, KimVice Marshal
Kim Il-chol
김일철
(born 1933)		February 1997February 200912 years Korean People's Army Ground Force
8
Yong-chun, KimVice Marshal
Kim Yong-chun
김영춘
(1936–2018)		February 2009April 20123 years, 2 months Korean People's Army Ground Force
9
Jong-gak, KimVice Marshal
Kim Jong-gak
김정각
(born 1941)		April 2012November 20127 months Korean People's Army Ground Force
10
Kyok-sik, KimGeneral
Kim Kyok-sik
김격식
(1938–2015)		November 2012May 20136 months Korean People's Army Ground Force
11
Jong-nam, JangGeneral
Jang Jong-nam
장정남		May 2013June 20141 year, 1 month Korean People's Army Ground Force
12
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
Yong-sik, PakGeneral
Pak Yong-sik
박영식
(born 1950)		11 July 20154 June 20182 years, 10 months Korean People's Army Ground Force
14
Kwang-chol, NoGeneral
No Kwang-chol
노광철
(born 1956)		4 June 2018December 20191 year, 6 months Korean People's Army Ground Force
15
Jong-gwan, KimGeneral
Kim Jong-gwan
김정관		December 201929 September 20211 year, 8 months Korean People's Army Ground Force
16
Yong-gil, RiVice Marshal
Ri Yong-gil
리영길		29 September 2021Incumbent6 months Korean People's Army Ground Force

See also

References
  1. "N.K. state media confirms appointment of new defense minister". Yonhap News Agency. 22 January 2020. Retrieved 22 January 2019.
  2. Tertitskiy, Fyodor (7 February 2018). "The unusual history of North Korea's military foundation day". NK News. Retrieved 10 February 2018.
  3. "38 North Special Report: Recent Changes in Kim Jong Un's High Command". 38north.org. Retrieved 3 November 2021.
  4. Worden, Robert L., ed. (2008). North Korea: A Country Study. Library of Congress, Federal Research Division. p. 242. ISBN 9780160814228.
This article is issued from Wikipedia. The text is licensed under Creative Commons - Attribution - Sharealike. Additional terms may apply for the media files.