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Kim Jong Il, the former leader of North Korea, received numerous titles during his rule. Despite his death in 2011, he is currently the Eternal Chairman of the National Defense Commission of the Republic.
When he is mentioned in North Korean media and publications, he is most commonly referred to as "Great Leader Comrade Kim Jong Il" (Korean:위대한 령도자 김정일동지) or "General" (Korean: 장군님).
Like his father and son, when his name is written, it is always emphasised by a special bold font or in a larger font size, for example: "The great leader Comrade Kim Jong Il provides on-the-spot guidance to the Ragwon Machine Complex." or "The great leader Comrade Kim Jong Il provides on-the-spot guidance to the Ragwon Machine Complex." [1] [2]
| Chosŏn'gŭl (Hancha) | DPRK McCune–Reischauer | English | Comment | References |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 조선로동당의 영원한 총비서 | Yŏngwŏnhan Tang Chongpisŏ | Eternal General Secretary of the Workers' Party of Korea | Appointed at the 4th Conference of the Workers' Party of Korea on 11 April 2012. | [3] |
| 공화국의 영원한 국방위원회 위원장 | Gonghwagukŭi Yŏngwŏnhan Gugbangviwonhui Viwonchang | Eternal Chairman of the National Defense Commission | Appointed at the 5th Meeting of the 12th Supreme People's Assembly on 13 April 2012. | [4] |
| 조선민주주의인민공화국 대원수 | Chosŏnminjujuŭiinmin'gonghwaguk Taewŏnsu | Generalissimo of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea | Posthumously promoted on 14 February 2012. | [5] |
| Chosŏn'gŭl (Hancha) | DPRK McCune–Reischauer | English | Tenure | Comment | References |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Party | |||||
| 조선로동당 중앙위원회 위원 | Member of the Central Committee of the Workers' Party of Korea | October 1972 – 17 December 2011 | Elected at the 5th Plenary Meeting of the 5th Party Central Committee. | [5] | |
| 조선로동당 중앙위원회 비서 | Secretary of the Central Committee of the Workers' Party of Korea | September 1973 – 8 October 1997 | Elected at the 7th Plenary Meeting of the 5th Party Central Committee, re-elected at the 6th Congress of the WPK. | [5] | |
| 조선로동당 중앙위원회 정치위원회 위원 | Member of the Political Committee of the Central Committee of the Workers' Party of Korea | February 1974 – October 1980 | Elected at the 8th Plenary Meeting of the 5th Party Central Committee. | [5] | |
| 조선로동당 중앙위원회 정치국 상무위원회위원 | Member of the Presidium of the Political Bureau of the Central Committee of the Workers' Party of Korea | October 1980 – 17 December 2011 | Elected at the 6th Congress of the WPK, re-elected at the 3rd Conference of the WPK. | [5] | |
| 조선로동당 중앙위원회 정치국 위원 | Member of the Political Bureau of the Central Committee of the Workers' Party of Korea | October 1980 – 17 December 2011 | Elected at the 6th Congress of the WPK, re-elected at the 3rd Conference of the WPK. | [5] | |
| 조선로동당 중앙군사위원회 위원 | Member of the Central Military Commission of the Workers' Party of Korea | October 1980 – 17 December 2011 | Elected at the 6th Congress of the WPK, re-elected at the 3rd Conference of the WPK. | [5] | |
| 조선로동당 총비서 | Chosŏn Rodongdang Ch'ongbisŏ | General Secretary of the Workers' Party of Korea | 8 October 1997 – 17 December 2011 | Elected by joint notice between the Central Committee and the Central Military Commission of the WPK, re-elected at the 3rd Conference of the WPK. | [5] |
| 조선로동당 중앙군사위원회 위원장 | chosŏllodongdang chunganggunsawiwŏnhoe wiwŏnjang | Chairman of the Central Military Commission of the Workers' Party of Korea | 8 October 1997 – 17 December 2011 | ||
| State | |||||
| 조선민주주의인민공화국 최고인민회의 대의원 | Deputy to the Supreme Peoples' Assembly of the DPRK | February 1982 – 17 December 2011 | Elected to the 7th to 12th Supreme Peoples' Assembly. | [5] | |
| 조선민주주의인민공화국 국방위원회 제1부위원장 | First-vice-chairman of the National Defence Commission of the DPRK | 23 May 1990 – 9 April 1993 | Elected at the 1st session of the 9th Supreme People's Assembly. | [6] | |
| 조선민주주의인민공화국 국방위원회 위원장 | Chosŏnminjujuŭiinmin'gonghwaguk Kukpangwiwŏnhoe Wiwŏnjang | Chairman of the National Defence Commission of the DPRK | 9 April 1993 – 17 December 2011 | Elected at the 5th Session of the 9th Supreme People's Assembly, re-elected at the 1st meetings of the 10th to 12th Supreme Peoples' Assembly. | [6] |
| Army | |||||
| 조선인민군 최고사령관 | Chosŏninmin-gun Ch'oegosaryŏnggwan | Supreme Commander of the Korean People's Army | 24 December 1991 – 17 December 2011 | [7] | |
| 조선민주주의인민공화국 원수 | Chosŏnminjujuŭiinmin'gonghwaguk Wŏnsu | Marshal of the DPRK | April 1992 – 14 February 2012 | [5] | |
| Chosŏn'gŭl (Hancha) | DPRK McCune–Reischauer | English | Comment | References |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 당중앙 (黨中央) | Tangjungang | Party Centre/Center of the Party | The first of Kim Jong Il's titles. Has been in use since 1973 after Kim was secretly appointed as his father's successor and until it was officially announced in order to mention Kim Jong Il in press without calling him by name. | [8] |
| 웃분 | Utpun | Superior Person | The title has been in use since the middle of the 1970s. | [8] |
| 친애하는 지도자 (親愛하는 指導者) | Ch'inaehanŭn chidoja | Dear Leader | This title was the most common title during Kim Il Sung's rule. | [8] |
| 존경하는 지도자 (尊敬하는 指導者) | Chon'gyŏnghanŭn chidoja | Respected Leader | The title has been in use since the middle of the 1970s. | [8] |
| 현명한 지도자 (賢明한 指導者) | Hyŏnmyŏnghan chidoja | Wise Leader | ||
| 영명하신 지도자 (英明하신 指導者) | Yŏngmyŏnghasin chidoja | Brilliant Leader | ||
| 유일한 지도자 (唯一한 指導者) | Yuilhan chidoja | Unique Leader | The title has been in use since June 1975. | [8] |
| 령도자가 갖추어야 할 풍모를 완벽하게 지닌 친애하는 지도자 (領導者가 갖추어야 할 風貌를 完璧하게 지닌 親愛하는 指導者) | Ryŏngdojaga katch'uŏya hal p'ungmorŭl wanbyŏk'age chinin ch'inaehanŭn chidoja | Dear Leader, Who is a Perfect Incarnation of the Appearance that a Leader Should Have | In use since the mid-1980s on special occasions. | [8] |
| 최고사령관 (最高司令官) | Choegosaryŏnggwan | Supreme Commander | First mentioned in the middle of the 1980s before Kim was officially appointed as Supreme Commander of the Korean People's Army. | [8] |
| 위대한 령도자 (偉大한 領導者) | Widaehan ryŏngdoja | Great Leader | The most common of current Kim Jong Il's titles. | [8] |
| 인민의 어버이 (人民의 어버이) | Inminŭi ŏbŏi | Father of the People | In use since February 1986. | [8] |
| 공산주의 미래의 태양 (共産主義 未來의 太陽) | Kongsanjuŭi miraeŭi t'aeyang | Sun of the Communist Future | In use since the middle of the 1980s. | [8] |
| 백두광명성 (百頭光明星) | Paektugwangmyŏngsŏng | Shining Star of Paektu Mountain | ||
| 향도의 해발 (嚮導의 해발) | Hyangdoŭi haepal | Guiding Sun Ray | ||
| 혁명무력의 수위 (革命武力의 首位) | Hyŏngmyŏngmuryŏgŭi suwi | Leader of the Revolutionary Armed Forces | In use since December 21, 1991, when Kim Jong Il became Supreme Commander of the Korean People's Army. | [8] |
| 조국통일의 구성 (祖國統一의 構成) | Choguk t'ongirŭi kusŏng | Guarantee of the Fatherland's Unification | ||
| 조국 통일의 상징 (祖國 統一의 象徵) | Choguk t'ongirŭi sangjing | Symbol of the Fatherland's Unification | ||
| 민족의 운명 (民族의 命運) | Minjokŭi Unmyŏng | Fate of the Nation | ||
| 자애로운 아버지 (慈愛로운 아버지) | Chaaeroun Abŏji | Beloved Father | ||
| 당과 국가와 군대의 수위 (黨과 國家와 軍隊의 首位) | Tanggwa kukkawa kundaeŭi suwi | Leader of the Party, the country, and the Army | ||
| 수령 (首領) | Suryŏng | Leader | Became common after Kim Il Sung's death. | [8] |
| 장군 (將軍) | Changgun | General | One of the most common titles. In use since 1994. | [8] |
| 우리당과 우리 인민의 위대한 령도자 (우리黨과 우리 人民의 偉大한 領導者) | Uridanggwa uri inminŭi widaehan ryŏngdoja | Great Leader of our Party and of our Nation | In use since 1994. | [8] |
| 위대한 장군님 (偉大한 將軍님) | widaehan changgunnim | Beloved Great General | ||
| 경애하는 장군님 (敬愛하는 將軍님) | Kyŏngaehanŭn changgunnim | Beloved and Respected General | ||
| 위대한 수령 (偉大한 首領) | widaehan Suryŏng | Great Leader | When Kim Il Sung was alive, this title was used only to refer to him. | [8] |
| 경애하는 수령 (敬愛하는 首領) | Kyŏngaehanŭn Suryŏng | Beloved and Respected Leader | ||
| 백전백승의 강철의 령장 (百戰百勝의 鋼鐵의 靈將) | Paekchŏnbaeksŭngŭi kangch'ŏrŭi ryŏngjang | Ever-Victorious, Iron-Willed Commander | In use since 1997 after the 3-year mourning for Kim Il Sung ended. | [8] |
| 사회주의 태양 (社會主義 太陽) | Sahoejuŭi T'aeyang | Sun of Socialism | ||
| 민족의 태양 (民族의 太陽) | Minjokŭi T'aeyang | Sun of the Nation | ||
| 삶의 태양 (삶의 太陽) | Salmŭi T'aeyang | The Great Sun of Life | ||
| 민족의 위대한 태양 (民族의 偉大한 太陽) | Minjokŭi widaehan T'aeyang | Great Sun of The Nation | In use since 1999 after the new DPRK constitution was accepted in 1998. | [8] |
| 민족의 어버이 (民族의 어버이) | Minjokŭi ŎbŎi | Father of the Nation | ||
| 21세기의 세계 수령 (21世紀의 世界 首領) | Ishipilsekiŭi Sege Suryŏng | World Leader of The 21st Century | In use since 2000. | [8] |
| 불세출의 령도자 (不世出의 領導者) | Pulsech'urŭi ryŏngdoja | Peerless Leader | ||
| 21세기 찬란한 태양 (21世紀 燦爛한 太陽) | Ishipilsegi ch'allanhan t'aeyang | Bright Sun of the 21st Century | ||
| 21세기 위대한 태양 (21世紀 偉大한 太陽) | Ishipilsegi widaehan t'aeyang | Great Sun of the 21st Century | ||
| 21세기 향도자 (21世紀 嚮導者) | Ishipilseki Hyangdoja | Leader of the 21st Century | ||
| 희세의 정치가 (稀世의 政治家) | Hŭiseŭi chŏngch'iga | Amazing Politician | ||
| 천출위인 (天出偉人) | Ch'ŏnch'urwiin | Great Man, Who Descended From Heaven | ||
| 천출명장 (天出明將) | Ch'ŏnch'ulmyŏngjang | Glorious General, Who Descended From Heaven | ||
| 민족의 최고영수 (民族의 最高領袖) | Minjokŭi ch'oegoyŏngsu | Supreme Leader of the Nation | ||
| 주체의 찬란한 태양 (主體의 燦爛한 太陽) | Chuch'eŭi ch'allanhan t'aeyang | Bright Sun of Juche | ||
| 당과 인민의 수령 (黨과 人民의 首領) | Tanggwa Inminŭi Suryŏng | Leader of the Party and the People | [ citation needed ] | |
| 위대한 원수님 (偉大한 元帥님) | widaehan Wŏsunim | Great Marshal | [ citation needed ] | |
| 무적필승의 장군 (無敵必勝의 將軍) | Mujŏkp'ilsŭngŭi changgun | Invincible and Triumphant General | [ citation needed ] | |
| 경애하는 아버지 (敬愛하는 아버지) | Kyŏngaehanŭn Abŏji | Dear Father | [ citation needed ] | |
| 21세기의 향도성 (21世紀의 嚮導星) | Ishipilsegiŭi Hyangdosŏng | Guiding Star of the 21st Century | [ citation needed ] | |
| 실천가형의 위인 (實踐家型의 偉人) | Silchŏngahyŏngŭi wiin | Great Man, Who Is a Man of Deeds | [ citation needed ] | |
| 위대한 수호자 (偉大한 守護者) | widaehan Suhoja | Great Defender | [ citation needed ] | |
| 구원자 (救援者) | Kuwŏnja | Saviour | [ citation needed ] | |
| 혁명의 수뇌부 (革命의 首腦部) | Hyŏnmyŏngŭi Sunoepu | Mastermind of the Revolution | [ citation needed ] | |
| 혁명적 동지애의 최고화신 (革命的 同志愛의 最高化身) | Hyŏnmyŏngjŏk Tongjiaeŭi Choegohwasin | Highest Incarnation of the Revolutionary Comradeship | [ citation needed ] | |
| 각하 (閣下) | Kakha | His Excellency | [ citation needed ] | |
| 주체조선의 영원한 수령 | Chuch'ech'osŏnŭi Yŏngwŏnhan Suryŏng | Eternal Leader of Juche Korea | Established by a line in the preamble to the Constitution, as amended on 30 June 2016. |
The politics of North Korea 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.
Kim Jong Il was a North Korean politician who was the second supreme leader of North Korea. He led North Korea from the death of his father Kim Il Sung in 1994 until his own death in 2011, when he was succeeded by his son, Kim Jong Un. Afterwards, Kim Jong Il was declared Eternal General Secretary of the WPK.
Kim Jong Suk was a Korean anti-Japanese guerrilla, a Communist activist, North Korean leader Kim Il Sung's first wife, former leader Kim Jong Il's mother, and current leader Kim Jong Un's grandmother.
The Socialist Constitution of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea is the constitution of North Korea. It was approved by the 6th Supreme People's Assembly at its first session on 27 December 1972, and has been amended and supplemented in 1998, 2009, 2012, 2013, 2016, 2019 (twice), and in 2023. It replaced the country's first constitution which was approved in 1948.
In the North Korean government, the Cabinet is the administrative and executive body. The North Korean government consists of three branches: administrative, legislative, and judicial. However, they are not independent of each other, but all branches are under the exclusive political leadership of the Workers' Party of Korea (WPK).
Kim Jong Un is a North Korean politician who has been supreme leader of North Korea since 2011 and the leader of the Workers' Party of Korea (WPK) since 2012. He is the third son of Kim Jong Il, who was North Korea's second supreme leader from 1994 until his death in 2011, and Ko Yong Hui. He is a grandson of Kim Il Sung, who was the founder and first supreme leader of North Korea from its establishment in 1948 until his death in 1994.
The eternal leaders of North Korea are mentions of deceased leaders of North Korea. The phrase was mentioned in a line of the preamble to the Constitution, as amended on 30 June 2016, and in subsequent revisions.
The General Secretary of the Workers' Party of Korea is the leader of the Workers' Party of Korea (WPK), the ruling party in North Korea, and the country's supreme leader. Party rules stipulate that the party congress elects the general secretary. The party conference and the Central Committee are empowered to remove and elect the party leader. The general secretary is "ex officio" Chairman of the WPK Central Military Commission and leads the work of the secretariat. Additionally, the general secretary is by right of office member of the WPK Presidium, the WPK Politburo and the WPK Secretariat.
The President of the State Affairs Commission of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea, alternatively styled "President of State Affairs" in official translations, is the supreme leader and head of state of North Korea. The president chairs the State Affairs Commission (SAC), which is the highest leadership institution in North Korea, and serves as the commander-in-chief of the North Korean armed forces.
The Workers' Party of Korea (WPK) is the sole ruling party of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea, commonly known as North Korea. Founded in 1949 from the merger of the Workers' Party of North Korea and the Workers' Party of South Korea, the WPK is the oldest active party in Korea. It also controls the Korean People's Army, North Korea's armed forces. The WPK is the largest party represented in the Supreme People's Assembly and coexists with two other legal parties making up the Democratic Front for the Reunification of Korea. However, these minor parties are completely subservient to the WPK and must accept the WPK's "leading role" as a condition of their existence. The WPK is banned in the Republic of Korea under the National Security Act and is sanctioned by the United Nations, the European Union, Australia, and the United States.
The Central Military Commission of the Workers' Party of Korea (CMC) is an organ of the Central Committee of the Workers' Party of Korea (WPK) which heads the Korean People's Army (KPA).
The supreme leader of North Korea is the de facto paramount leader of the Workers' Party of Korea, the state and the Korean People's Army. The position is a de facto hereditary title held by the Kim family.
Kim Il Sung died of a sudden heart attack on the early morning of 8 July 1994 at age 82. North Korea's government did not report the death for more than 34 hours after it occurred. An official mourning period was declared from 8–17 July, during which the national flag was flown at half mast throughout the country, and all forms of amusement and dancing were prohibited.
Choe Ryong-hae is a North Korean politician and military officer who currently serves as Chairman of the Standing Committee of the Supreme People's Assembly and First Vice President of the State Affairs Commission, holding both positions since April 2019. Due to holding the first office, he was considered the head of state of North Korea before the country's constitution was amended to transfer this position to the President of the State Affairs Commission, Kim Jong Un. He is also a member of the Presidium of the Politburo and Vice Chairman of the Workers' Party of Korea (WPK). He also served as Supreme Leader Kim Jong Un's military second-in-command, currently being third top-ranking official in North Korea after Kim Jong Un and premier Kim Tok-hun.
Ten Principles for the Establishment of a Monolithic Ideological System are a set of ten principles and sixty-five clauses establishing standards for governance and guiding the behaviors of the people of North Korea. First published in 1974, the Ten Principles mandate absolute loyalty and obedience to the ideas of Kim Il Sung, and later his successor Kim Jong Il, establishing them as the country's supreme political authorities.
Kim Jong Un has been the supreme leader of North Korea since the death of Kim Jong Il in 2011.
Many countries, organizations, and individuals issued reactions to the death of Kim Jong Il in December 2011. According to CNN, reactions were "somewhat muted" in comparison to deaths of other world leaders. Just a few countries reacted immediately after Kim's death was announced on North Korea's KCTV. Some countries, like the United States, took the opportunity to comment on their relationship with South Korea. South Korea decided not to offer official condolences, mirroring both worsened relations after the ROKS Cheonan sinking and the bombardment of Yeonpyeong and its position after the death of Kim Il Sung in 1994. Chinese Foreign Ministry called Kim a "great leader" and added that Beijing would continue to offer its support. Japan expressed condolences and said it hoped Kim's death would not affect the region adversely. Reactions in Europe were "a mix of hope and watchfulness". In North Korea, the official reaction was grief and support for the succession of Kim Jong Un.
