The general secretary of the Workers' Party of Korea is the head of the Workers' Party of Korea, the ruling party in North Korea, and considered as the supreme leader of North Korea. The general secretary is the chairman of the Central Military Commission of the Workers' Party of Korea, as well as a member of the Politburo Presidium, the Politburo and the Secretariat.
The 2nd Central Committee of the Workers' Party of Korea (WPK) was elected at the 2nd Congress on 30 March 1948, and remained in session until the election of the 3rd Central Committee on 29 April 1956. In between party congresses and specially convened conferences the Central Committee is the highest decision-making institution in the WPK and North Korea. The 2nd Central Committee was not a permanent institution and delegated day-to-day work to elected bodies, such as the Political Committee, the Standing Committee, the Organisation Committee and the Inspection Committee in this case. It convened meetings, known as "Plenary Session of the [term] Central Committee", to discuss major policies. Only full members had the right to vote, but if a full member could not attend a plenary session, the person's spot was taken over by an alternate. Plenary session could also be attended by non-members, such meetings are known as "Enlarged Plenary Session", to participate in the committee's discussions. During its tenure it held five plenary sessions, one enlarged session, seven joint plenary sessions and four stand-alone plenums.
The 4th Standing Committee of the Supreme People's Assembly (SPA) was elected by the 1st Session of the 4th Supreme People's Assembly on 16 December 1967. It was replaced on 28 December 1972 by the 5th SPA Standing Committee and the 5th Central People's Committee.
The 5th Standing Committee of the Supreme People's Assembly (SPA) was elected by the 1st Session of the 5th Supreme People's Assembly on 28 December 1972. It was replaced on 17 December 1977 by the 6th SPA Standing Committee.
The 6th Standing Committee of the Supreme People's Assembly (SPA) was elected by the 1st Session of the 6th Supreme People's Assembly on 17 December 1977. It was replaced on 5 April 1982 by the 7th SPA Standing Committee.
The committees of the 3rd Supreme People's Assembly (SPA) were elected by the 1st Session of the aforementioned body on 23 October 1962. It was replaced on 16 December 1967 by the committees of the 4th Supreme People's Assembly.
The committees of the 4th Supreme People's Assembly (SPA) were elected by the 1st Session of the aforementioned body on 16 December 1967. It was replaced on 28 December 1972 by the committees of the 5th Supreme People's Assembly.
The committees of the 5th Supreme People's Assembly (SPA) were elected by the 1st Session of the aforementioned body on 28 December 1972. It was replaced on 17 December 1977 by the committees of the 6th Supreme People's Assembly.
The committees of the 6th Supreme People's Assembly (SPA) of North Korea were elected by the 1st Session of the aforementioned body on 17 December 1977. It was replaced on 5 April 1982 by the committees of the 7th Supreme People's Assembly.
The 6th Central People's Committee (CPC) of North Korea was elected by the 1st Session of the 6th Supreme People's Assembly on 17 December 1977. It was replaced on 5 April 1982 by the 7th CPC.
The 7th Central People's Committee (CPC) of North Korea was elected by the 1st Session of the 7th Supreme People's Assembly on 5 April 1982. It was replaced on 30 December 1986 by the 8th CPC.
The 8th Central People's Committee (CPC) of North Korea was elected by the 1st Session of the 8th Supreme People's Assembly on 30 December 1986. It was replaced on 26 May 1990 by the 9th CPC.
The 9th Central People's Committee (CPC) of North Korea was elected by the 1st Session of the 8th Supreme People's Assembly on 26 May 1990. The CPC was abolished and replaced on 6 September 1998 by the 10th National Defence Commission.
The 3rd Cabinet of North Korea was elected by the 1st Session of the 3rd Supreme People's Assembly on 23 October 1962. It was replaced on 16 December 1967 by the 4th Cabinet.
The 4th Cabinet of North Korea was elected by the 1st Session of the 4th Supreme People's Assembly on 16 December 1967. It was replaced on 26 December 1972 by the 5th Administrative Council.
The 5th Administrative Council of North Korea was elected by the 1st Session of the 5th Supreme People's Assembly on 26 December 1972. It was replaced on 16 December 1977 by the 6th Administrative Council.
The 6th Administrative Council of North Korea was elected by the 1st Session of the 6th Supreme People's Assembly on 16 December 1977. It was replaced on 5 April 1982 by the 7th Administrative Council.
The 3rd Supreme People's Assembly (SPA) was elected on 8 October 1962 and convened for its first session on 22–23 October 1962. It was replaced on 16 December 1967, by the 4th Supreme People's Assembly.
The 4th Supreme People's Assembly (SPA) was elected on 25 November 1967 and convened for its first session on 14–16 December 1967. It was replaced on 25 December 1972 by the 5th Supreme People's Assembly.
The 5th Supreme People's Assembly (SPA) was elected on 12 December 1972 and convened for its first session on 25–28 December 1972. It was replaced on 17 December 1977 by the 6th Supreme People's Assembly.
