Kim Jong Un, the current Supreme Leader of North Korea, holds many titles and offices. Currently, he holds the highest titles in the party, state and army, being General Secretary of the Workers' Party of Korea , Chairman of the Central Military Commission of the Workers' Party of Korea , President of the State Affairs of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea and Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea . [1]
As of 2024, when Kim Jong Un is mentioned in North Korean media and publications, he is most commonly referred to as "Respected Comrade Kim Jong Un" (Korean : 경애하는 김정은동지), "Respected Comrade General Secretary" (경애하는 총비서동지), or "Marshal" (원수님).
Like his grandfather and father, when he is mentioned in North Korean media and publications, it is always accompanied by one or more of these titles. When his name is written, it is always emphasised by a special bold font or in a larger font size, for example: "Respected Comrade Kim Jong Un Clarifies Plan to Form Area of Riverside Terraced Houses around Pothong Gate" or "Respected Comrade Kim Jong Un Clarifies Plan to Form Area of Riverside Terraced Houses around Pothong Gate." [2]
His honorific titles would be used as a description added to his name or affectionate title. For example, "Comrade Kim Jong Un, who is an outstanding successor and leader of the Juche revolution, the symbol of strength of our state and the banner of all victory and glory" (주체혁명의 유일무이한 계승자이시고 령도자이시며 우리 국가의 강대성의 상징이시고 모든 승리와 영광의 기치이신 김정은동지).
| Chosŏn'gŭl (Hancha) | DPRK McCune–Reischauer | English | Tenure | Comment | References |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Party | |||||
| 조선로동당 총비서 (朝鮮勞動黨 總秘書) | Chosŏn Rodongdang Ch'ongbisŏ | General Secretary of the Workers' Party of Korea | 10 January 2021 – incumbent | Elected at the 8th Congress of the Workers' Party of Korea | [3] |
| 조선로동당 중앙위원회 정치국 상무위원회 위원 (朝鮮勞動黨 中央委員會 政治局 常務委員會 委員) | chosŏllodongdang chungangwiwŏnhoe chŏngch'iguk sangmuwiwŏnhoe wiwŏn | Member of the Presidium of the Politburo of the Workers' Party of Korea | 11 April 2012 – incumbent | Elected at 4th Conference of the WPK, re-elected at 7th and 8th Congress of the WPK. | [3] |
| 조선로동당 중앙위원회 정치국 위원 (朝鮮勞動黨 中央委員會 政治局 委員) | chosŏllodongdang chungangwiwŏnhoe chŏngch'iguk wiwŏn | Member of the Politburo of the Workers' Party of Korea | 11 April 2012 – incumbent | Elected at 4th Conference of the WPK, re-elected at 7th and 8th Congress of the WPK | [3] |
| 조선로동당 중앙위원회 위원 (朝鮮勞動黨 中央委員會 委員) | chosŏllodongdang chungangwiwŏnhoe wiwŏn | Member of the Central Committee of the Workers' Party of Korea | 28 September 2010 – incumbent | Elected at the 3rd Conference of the WPK, re-elected at 4th Conference, 7th and 8th Congress of the WPK. | [3] |
| 조선로동당 중앙군사위원회 위원장 (朝鮮勞動黨 中央軍事委員會 委員長) | chosŏllodongdang chunganggunsawiwŏnhoe wiwŏnjang | Chairman of the Central Military Commission of the Workers' Party of Korea | 11 April 2012 – incumbent | Elected at 4th Conference of the WPK, re-elected at 7th and 8th Congress of the WPK | [3] |
| State | |||||
| 조선민주주의인민공화국 국무위원장 (朝鮮民主主義人民共和國 國務委員長) | Chosŏn minjujuŭi inmin'gonghwaguk kukmu wiwŏnjang | President of the State Affairs of the DPRK (lit. Chairman of the State Affairs Commission of the DPRK) | 29 June 2016 – incumbent | Elected at the 4th Meeting of the 13th Supreme Peoples' Assembly. | [4] |
| Army | |||||
| 조선민주주의인민공화국무력 최고사령관 (朝鮮民主主義人民共和國武力 最高司令官) | Chosŏnminjujuŭiinmin'gonghwaguk muryŏkch'ongsaryŏnggwan | Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea | 30 December 2011 – incumbent | Appointed as per Kim Jong Il's final instructions. | [3] |
| 조선민주주의인민공화국 원수 (朝鮮民主主義人民共和國 元帥) | Chosŏnminjujuŭiinmin'gonghwaguk Wonsu | Marshal of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea | Promoted on the 18 July 2012. | [3] | |
| Chosŏn'gŭl (Hancha) | DPRK McCune–Reischauer | English | Tenure | Comment | References |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Party | |||||
| 조선로동당 중앙군사위원회 부위원장 (朝鮮勞動黨 中央軍事委員會 副委員長) | Chosŏn Rodongdang chunggunsawiwŏnhoe puwiwŏnchang | Vice-chairman of the Central Military Commission of the Workers' Party of Korea | 28 September 2010 – 11 April 2012 | Elected at the 3rd Conference of the Workers' Party of Korea. | [3] |
| 조선로동당 제1비서 (朝鮮勞動黨 第1秘書) | Chosŏn Rodongdang cheilbisŏ | First Secretary of the Workers' Party of Korea | 11 April 2012 – 9 May 2016 | Elected at 4th Conference of the Workers' Party of Korea. | [3] |
| 조선로동당 위원장 (朝鮮勞動黨 委員長) | Chosŏn Rodongdang wiwŏnjang | Chairman of the Workers' Party of Korea | 9 May 2016 – 10 January 2021 | Elected at the 7th Congress of the Workers' Party of Korea. | [3] |
| State | |||||
| 조선민주주의인민공화국 국방위원회 제1위원장 (朝鮮民主主義人民共和國 國防委員會 第1委員長) | chosŏnminjujuŭiinminkonghwaguk kukpangwiwŏnhoe cheilwiwŏnjang | First Chairman of the National Defence Commission of the DPRK | 13 April 2012 – 29 June 2016 | Elected at the 5th session of the 12th Supreme Peoples' Assembly. | [3] |
| Army | |||||
| 조선인민군 최고사령관 (朝鮮人民軍 最高司令官) | Chosŏniinmin'gun ch'oegosaryŏnggwan | Supreme Commander of the Korean People's Army | 30 December 2011 – incumbent | Appointed as per Kim Jong Il's final instructions. | [5] [3] |
| 조선인민군 대장 (朝鮮人民軍 大將) | Chosŏninmin'gun daejang | General of the Korean People's Army | 27 September 2010 – 18 July 2012 | Conferred upon Supreme Commander of the Korean People's Army Order No.0051 | [6] [3] |
| Chosŏn'gŭl (Hancha) | DPRK McCune–Reischauer | English | Comment | References |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 원수님 | Wŏsunim | Marshal | Used to refer to Kim Jong Un without mentioning his name. | [7] |
| 경애하는 원수님 | Kyŏngaehanŭn Wŏsunim | Dear Respected Marshal | ||
| 아버지 원수님 | Abŏji Wŏsunim | Father Marshal | Same as above, but is only rarely used in news articles and media pertaining to the youth. The earliest instance of this is from a song called 'Oh dear Marshal' (아 그리운 원수님) by the Moranbong Band in 2016. | [8] [9] |
| 최고령도자 | Choegoryŏngdoja | Supreme Leader | Used as "Supreme Leader of our Party and our people" (우리 당과 우리 인민의 최고령도자) in various iterations from 2011 to 2017, "Supreme Leader of our Party, state and armed forces" (우리 당과 국가,무력의 최고령도자) from 2017 to 2021. Fell completely out of use after the 8th Congress of the WPK. | [10] |
| 우리 당과 국가, 무력의 최고령도자 | Uridanggwa kukkawa mulyeogŭi choegoryŏngdoja | Supreme Leader of our Party, State and Armed Forces | Often used after his full list of titles is mentioned from 2017 to 2021. | [11] |
| 경애하는 최고사령관동지 | Choegosaryŏnggwan | Respected Supreme Commander | Used in the military without mentioning his name. | [ citation needed ] |
| 경애하는 최고령도자동지 | Choegoryŏngdojadongji | Respected Comrade Supreme Leader | Used without mentioning his name. Used from 2017 to 2021. | |
| 경애하는 총비서동지 | Chongbiseodongji | Respected Comrade General Secretary | In use since the 8th Congress of the WPK, where he was elected General Secretary of the WPK, in 2021. | [12] |
| 자애로운 아버지 | Chaaeroun Abŏji | Beloved Father | ||
| 주체조선의 태양 | Ishipilsegiye t'aeyang | Sun of Juche Korea | ||
| 장군 | Janggun | General | [ citation needed ] | |
| 청년대장 | Chongnyeondaejang | Young General | He was often called this during his hereditary succession campaign. [13] [14] | [15] |
| 영명한 동지 | Yeongmyeonghan dongji | Brilliant Comrade | [14] | |
| 각하 | Kakha | His Excellency | Used in by foreign dignitaries in international communication. | [16] |
| 주체혁명의 탁월한 령도자 | Chuch'ehyŏngmyŏngŭi t'agwŏrhan ryŏngdoja | Outstanding Leader of the Juche Revolution | [11] | |
| 주체혁명의 유일무이한 계승자이시고 령도자 | Chuch'ehyŏngmyŏngŭi yuilmuihan kyesŭngjaishigo ryŏngdoja | The only and unique successor and leader of the Juche Revolution | [11] | |
| 우리 국가의 강대성의 상징 | Uri kukkaŭi kangdaesŏngŭi sangjing | A symbol of the mightyness of our country | [11] | |
| 모든 승리와 영광의 기치 | Modŭn sŭngniwa yŏnggwangŭi kich'i | Banner of all victory and glory | - | |
| 위대한 령도자 | Widaehan ryŏngdoja | Great Leader | Used on very rare occasions, usually more common in slogans during major national events such as elections at party congresses. | [11] |
| 절세의 위인 | Chŏlseŭi wiin | Peerlessly Great Man | [17] | |
| 우리 당과 국가,무력의 위대한 수반 | Uri tanggwa kukkiwa maryŏŭi widaehan suban | Great Leader of our Party, State and Armed Forces | Used after the 8th Congress of the WPK in 2021. |
The Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) (Korean: 조선중앙통신) is the state news agency of North Korea. The agency portrays the views of the North Korean government for both domestic and foreign consumption. It was established on December 5, 1946, and now features online coverage.
Chung-guyok is one of the 19 guyok which constitute the city of Pyongyang, North Korea. The district is located in the center of the city, between the Pothonggang Canal and Taedong River, and is bordered to the north by Moranbong-guyok, to the northwest by Potonggang-guyok, and to the south by Pyongchon-guyok.
Kim Jong Un is a North Korean politician who has been supreme leader of North Korea since December 2011 and the general secretary of the Workers' Party of Korea (WPK) since 2012. He is the third son of Kim Jong Il, who was the second supreme leader of North Korea, and a grandson of Kim Il Sung, the founder and first supreme leader of the country.
The title of supreme leader of North Korea generally refers to the de facto hereditary leadership of the Workers' Party of Korea, the state and the Korean People's Army. Each individual North Korean leader have assumed different offices and positions, and different titles were used in North Korean propaganda that could be translated from Korean as "Great Leader", "Dear Leader", or "Supreme Leader". For full list of titles used, see the lists of titles of Kim Il Sung, Kim Jong Il and Kim Jong Un.
The award system of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea was initially created less than one month after the foundation of the Republic. During the years of Japanese occupation of Korea, many of the future leaders fled to the Soviet Union. During World War II many if not close to all party leaders and Korean People's Army commanders served in the Soviet Army and as such adopted many of the Soviet awards criteria for their own. During the late 1940s and until the Sino-Soviet Split in late 1958, orders and titles were made in the Soviet Money Mints in Moscow or Leningrad. Soviet made awards were modeled after Soviet orders and made of sterling silver. Initially the orders were attached to clothing with a screw-plate, but after Soviet production stopped, production was moved to North Korea. The screwback was replaced with a pin and the silver content was replaced with cheap tin. With the exception of a few examples of modern orders, Soviet and Czech KPA awards are the most sought after in current militaria markets.
Hyon Song-wol is a North Korean singer, band leader, and politician. She is the leader of the Moranbong Band and of the Samjiyon Orchestra. She was formerly a featured vocalist for the Pochonbo Electronic Ensemble in the early 2000s, a pop group which found fame in North Korea in the late 1980s and 1990s. She has been a member in the Central Committee of the Workers' Party of Korea since 2017.
The Moranbong Band, also known as the Moran Hill Orchestra, is a North Korean girl group. Performing interpretive styles of pop, rock, and fusion, they are the first all-female band from the DPRK, and made their world debut on 6 July 2012. Their varied musical style has been described as symphonic because it is "putting together different kinds of sounds, and ending in a harmonious, pleasing result."
The Order of Kim Il Sung (Korean: 김일성훈장) is the highest order of North Korea, along with the Order of Kim Jong Il, and only second to one honorary title, the Hero of Labour.
The Order of Kim Jong Il is a North Korean order named after Kim Jong Il, the former leader of North Korea. It is the highest order of North Korea, along with the Order of Kim Il-Sung, and only second to one honorary title, the Hero of Labour.
Labor Hero is one of the highest titles of honor of North Korea and the highest decoration of the country overall. The award was probably scheduled for establishment in the summer of 1950, but the Korean War postponed these plans. When the war had entered a phase of stalemate along the 38th parallel, the government had time to officially launch the decoration, originally under the name Korea Hero of Labor. 16 people were decorated Labor Heroes during the war and more since then. The decoration is based on its Soviet equivalent, Hero of Socialist Labour.
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KN-25 is a designation given to a North Korean tactical ballistic missile.
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The 8th Central Committee of the Workers' Party of Korea was elected at the party's 8th Congress on 10 January 2021, and will sit until the convocation of the next party congress. In between party congresses and specially convened conferences the Central Committee is the highest decision-making institution in the WPK and North Korea. The Central Committee is not a permanent institution and delegates day-to-day work to the Presidium, the Politburo, the Secretariat, the Central Military Commission and the Central Auditing Commission. It convenes meetings, known as "Plenary Session of the [term] Central Committee", to discuss major policies. Only full members have the right to vote, but if a full member cannot attend a plenary session, the person's spot is taken over by an alternate. Plenary session can also be attended by non-members, such meetings are known as "Enlarged Plenary Session", to participate in the committee's discussions.
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