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Supreme Leader (North Korean title)

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Political term for the top leader in North Korea

Supreme Leaderof the Democratic People's Republic of Korea
Emblem of the Workers' Party of Korea
Incumbent
Kim Jong Un
since17 December 2011
Style
  • Respected Comrade (informal)
  • General Secretary (formal)
Type
Residence Ryongsong Residence
Seat Pyongyang
AppointerHereditary (de facto)
Term length Life tenure
Formation9September 1948;77 years ago(1948年09月09日)
First holderKim Il Sung
DeputyDe facto Number Two (disputed)
Supreme Leader
Hangul
최고령도자
Hanja
最高領導者
RR Choego ryeongdoja
MR Ch'oego ryŏngdoja
15th term

Cabinet Ministries

[画像:flag] North Koreaportal

The supreme leader (Korean : 최고령도자;Hanja : 最高領導者;MR : ch'oego ryŏngdoja) is the de facto hereditary [8] leader of the Workers' Party of Korea, the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (North Korea) and the Korean People's Army. The title is honorary, given only after death in the first two cases. More broadly it can also refer to the "Supreme Leader system" (수령제 Suryŏngje lit.'Leadersystem'), which is defined as "a system that aims to ensure continuous leadership by the Supreme Leader across generations".[9] Different titles were used in North Korean propaganda that could be translated from Korean as "Great Leader", "Dear Leader" or "Supreme Leader". Similar to other one-party states, the post of General Secretary of the Workers' Party of Korea (titled as chairman from 1948 to 1966, as First Secretary from 2012 to 2016, and Chairman again from 2016 to 2021) is the highest-priority political position of the Leader.[10]

Overview

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"Supreme Leader" was originally a designation used for Kim Il Sung only, and only after his death.[9] During his lifetime he was known as "Great Leader" (위대한 수령 Widaehan Suryŏng), a title that to this day is most often used to refer to him.[9] His son, Kim Jong Il, was known as "Dear Leader" (친애하는 령도자 Ch'inaehanŭn Ryŏngdoja) during his lifetime, and only after death did North Korean media begin calling him "Supreme Leader", in the tradition of his father.[9]

The grandson, Kim Jong Un, was first called "Supreme Leader" in a North Korean newspaper article dated October 3, 2020, with the frequency increasing since then, including sometimes "great Supreme Leader".[9] He was the first to be frequently called "Supreme Leader" while still alive, and at the relatively young age of 37.[9] The 2020 newspaper article was part of the official preparations to appoint Kim Jong Un as the General Secretary of the Workers' Party of Korea i.e. leader of the Workers' Party, the sole political body in the country and the top leader position.[11]

Following the 8th WPK Congress in January 2021, North Korea stopped calling Kim Jong Un "supreme leader". The congress changed the WPK general secretary's title from "the supreme leader of the Party" to "the head of the WPK". Starting from September 2024, North Korean state media has referred to Kim Jong Un as the "head of state".[12]

Since November 2021, all South Korean media outlets have reported that Kim Jong Un is called "Supreme Leader" (수령 Suryŏng) in North Korea, although 수령 also means simply "Leader" (as a short way of saying "Dear/Great Leader", whereas "Supreme Leader" would be Ch'inaehanŭn Ryŏngdoja).[9] The South China Morning Post reported on 23 March 2026 that the President of the State Affairs is the Supreme Leader according to the Constitution.[13]

List

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No Portrait Name
(Birth–Death)		 Title(s) Period Tenure
(Time in office)		 Ideological contribution(s)
1 Kim Il Sung
김일성
(1912–1994)
 Premier of the Cabinet of the DPRK 9 September 1948[14] – 28 December 1972[15] 9 September 1948[14]
—
8 July 1994[16]
(45 years, 302 days)		 Juche
Chairman of the WPK 24 June 1949[17] – 12 October 1966[18]
General Secretary of the WPK 12 October 1966[18] – 8 July 1994[16]
President of the DPRK 28 December 1972[19] – 8 July 1994[16]
2 Kim Jong Il
김정일
(1941–2011)[b]
Chairman of the National Defence Commission of the DPRK 9 April 1993[30] – 17 December 2011[31] 8 July 1994[30] [32]
—
17 December 2011[31]
(17 years, 162 days)		 Kimilsungism
Songun
Ten Principles
General Secretary of the WPK 8 October 1997[30] – 17 December 2011[31]
3 Kim Jong Un
김정은
(born 1982 or 1983/1984)[c]
First Secretary of the WPK 11 April 2012[43] – 9 May 2016[44] 17 December 2011[d] [47] [48]
—
present
(14 years, 229 days)		 Kimilsungism–Kimjongilism
Byungjin
First Chairman of the National Defence Commission of the DPRK 11 April 2012[49] – 29 June 2016[50]
Chairman of the WPK 9 May 2016[51] – 10 January 2021[52]
President of the State Affairs Commission of the DPRK 29 June 2016[50] – present
General Secretary of the WPK 10 January 2021[53] – present
  • Bold offices refer to the highest positions in the Workers' Party of Korea, the lone political party of North Korea.

Timeline

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See also

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Notes

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  1. ↑ Between 1948 and 2019 the Chairman of the Standing Committee of the Supreme People's Assembly was considered to be the de facto head of state rather then the Supreme Leader,[1] [2] however other sources claim that the Chairman of the Standing Committee of the Supreme People's Assembly was the ceremonial head of state and not the de facto one.[3]
  2. ↑ South Korean government officials and academic North Korea experts suggested that Jang Song-thaek was the de facto leader of North Korea from late 2008 until the death of Kim Jong-Il,[20] [21] before Jang was considered to be the de facto number two in the regime after the death of Kim Il-Sung.[22] [23] [24] [25] [26] [27] [28] Ha Tae-keung claimed in 2010, that during the period where Kim Jong-Il was on a state-visit in China, that Kim Jong-Un ran the country.[29]
  3. ↑ Hwang Pyong-so was seen as the de facto number two in 2015.[33] Kim Yo-jong was considere to be the de facto number two, from 2020 until 2021.[34] [35] While in 2021 Jo Yong Won was considered to be the de facto number two as Deputy General Secretary/First Secretary.[36] [37] [38] Between September 2023 until.late-2025 Kim Yo Jong was again considered to be the de facto number two.[39] [40] Jo Yong-won is again regarded to be the de facto number two in the regime since 22 March 2026.[41] [42]
  4. ↑ First reports that he became the Supreme Leader came out on 27 December 2011.[45] [46]

References

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  1. ↑ "Who is the President of North Korea". Young Pioneer Tours.
  2. ↑ "North Korea's political elite". BBC . 11 April 2013.
  3. ↑ "North Korea says its longtime ceremonial head of state Kim Yong Nam has died". NBC News. 4 November 2025.
  4. ↑ "North Korean constitution makes Kim Jong Un's power 'monolithic'". Al Jazeera . 30 August 2019.
  5. ↑ "Kim Jong-Il". Oxford References.
  6. ↑ "Kim Jong-il: man of implausible talents". Al Jazeera . 19 December 2011.
  7. ↑ "Leader of North Korea all you need to know". Koryo Tours. 29 March 2021.
  8. ↑ "North Korea in 1981: First Year for De Facto Successor Kim Jong Il". Rin-Sup Shinn. January 1982.
  9. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Isozaki, Atsuhito (6 December 2021). "Kim Jong Un and the 'Supreme Leader System'". The Diplomat . Archived from the original on 7 March 2023.
  10. ↑ "Respected Comrade Kim Jong Un Observes Test-fire of New-type Tactical Guided Weapon". NK News . Korean Central News Agency (KCNA). 17 April 2022. Retrieved 17 April 2022. Kim Jong Un, 1 general secretary of the Workers' Party of Korea (WPK), 2 president of the State Affairs of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) and 3 supreme commander of the armed forces of the DPRK, observed the test-fire of a new-type tactical guided weapon.
  11. ↑ "Supreme Leader Kim Jong Un Cuts Tape for Completion of Sunchon Phosphatic Fertilizer Factory". Kim Il Sung University . Korean Central News Agency (KCNA). 2 May 2020. Archived from the original on 17 May 2020. Retrieved 2 May 2020. Kim Jong Un, chairman of the Workers' Party of Korea (WPK), chairman of the State Affairs Commission of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea and supreme commander of the armed forces of the DPRK, attended the ceremony.
  12. ↑ Lee, Rachel Minyoung (3 February 2026). "Is Kim Jong Un Headed for "DPRK President" Title?". 38 North . Retrieved 27 February 2026.
  13. ↑ "North Korea reappoints Kim Jong-Un as Supreme Leader". South China Morning Post . 23 March 2026.
  14. 1 2 "Background Note: North Korea". Bureau of East Asian and Pacific Affairs. United States Department of State. August 2008. Retrieved 18 September 2023.
  15. ↑ Based on the creation of the Constitution of North Korea, which established the Presidency of North Korea and abolished the Premier of North Korea position.
  16. 1 2 3 Based on date of death of Kim Il-Sung
  17. ↑ Defense Language Institute (July 1971). "Korean: Basic Course: Area Background" (PDF). U. S. Department of Health, Education and Welfare. p. 254. Retrieved 18 September 2023. the Korean Workers Party, under the chairmanship of Kim Il-sung, was formed on June 24, 1949, as the result of a merger between the North Korean Workers Party and the South Korean Workers Party
  18. 1 2 Yang, Sŏng-chʻŏl (1999). The North and South Korean Political Aystems: A Comparative Analysis. Elizabeth, NJ: Hollym. p. 270. ISBN 978-1-56591-105-5. The chairmanship post was replaced by the office of the general secretary at the Fourteenth Plenum of the WPK Fourth Central Committee (CC) on October 12, 1966, and Kim has been the WPK's general secretary ever since
  19. ↑ Based on the outcome of the 1972 North Korean parliamentary election
  20. ↑ Ben Webster (8 November 2008). "North Korea 'is being run by Kim Jong Il's brother-in-law'". The Times. London. Archived from the original on 30 August 2023. Retrieved 8 November 2008.
  21. ↑ Jonathan Cheng, "North Korea Says Uncle of Kim Jong Un Executed: Jang Song Thaek Was Until Recently the Country's De Facto No. 2 Ruler" Archived 22 February 2014 at the Wayback Machine , The Wall Street Journal, 12 December 2013.
  22. ↑ "Drugs, arms, and terror: A high-profile defector on Kim's North Korea". 10 October 2021 – via www.bbc.com.
  23. ↑ "North Korean Leader Kim Jong Un's Powerful Uncle 'Sacked'". Radio Free Asia. 3 December 2013.
  24. ↑ "The Execution of Jang Song Thaek: Consolidating Power Pyongyang-Style". Global Asia.
  25. ↑ "North Korea: What's Ahead?". Limes. 20 January 2014.
  26. ↑ OCarroll, Mr (4 December 2013). "ANALYSIS: The impact of Jang Song Thaek's ouster | NK News".
  27. ↑ Mohd, Adib (15 October 2021). "The Story of Kim Kuk-Song, A High-Profile Defector In North Korea".
  28. ↑ Choi, Jung-Yoon (9 December 2013). "North Korea acknowledges purge of its de facto second-in-command". Los Angeles Times.
  29. ↑ Sang-Hun, Choe (27 May 2010). "Succession May Be Behind N. Korea's New Belligerence" – via NYTimes.com.
  30. 1 2 3 "Timeline: Kim Jong-il". The Guardian . The Associated Press. 19 December 2011. Retrieved 18 September 2023.
  31. 1 2 3 Based on date of death of Kim Jong-Il
  32. ↑ "Why North Korean leader Kim Jong Un never talks about his mother, Ko Yong Hui". www.bbc.com. Retrieved 19 July 2026.
  33. ↑ "This man is now number 2 in North Korea". The Diplomat. 2015.
  34. ↑ "Kim Yo-jong emerges as N. Korea's No. 2". The Korean Time. 8 June 2020.
  35. ↑ "Kim Jong Un's sister now 'de facto second-in-command' in N Korea". Al Jazeera . 30 August 2020.
  36. ↑ "The new No. 2 in North Korea?". Asian Times. 1 June 2021.
  37. ↑ "Report: North Korea Ruling Party Creates New Leadership Post Under Kim Jong Un". Voice of America. 1 June 2021.
  38. ↑ "North Korea's ruling party stipulates new No. 2 post as Kim's "deputy"". Japan Wire by Kyodo News. 3 June 2021.
  39. ↑ "[Speaking Out] Why Did North Korea Use South Korea's Official Name for the First Time?". Japan Forward. 11 September 2023.
  40. ↑ "Succession at the Crossroads: Scenarios for North Korea's Future". 38 North. 16 December 2025.
  41. ↑ "Kim Jong-un reappointed as North Korea's president of state affairs by parliament". Hankyoreh. 24 March 2026.
  42. ↑ "North Korea Names Jo Yong-won as New No. 2 in Major Leadership Reshuffle". Seoul Economic Daily. 23 March 2026.
  43. ↑ Sang-Hun, Choe (11 April 2012). "As Rocket Launching Nears, North Korea Continues Shift to New 'Supreme Leader'". The New York Times . Retrieved 18 September 2023. The governing Workers' Party ... declared Mr. Kim "supreme leader" on Wednesday and awarded him the title of first secretary.
  44. ↑ "North Korea leader Kim becomes chairman of ruling Workers' Party: NHK". Reuters . 9 May 2016. Archived from the original on 29 August 2017. Retrieved 6 January 2020. Kim Jong Un, who has been first secretary of the ruling party, became chairman of the Workers' Party of Korea
  45. ↑ "North Korea declares Kim Jong Un as country's new 'supreme leader'". NBC News. 29 December 2011.
  46. ↑ "Kim Jong Un's Power and Policy: Current State and Future Prospects". 38North. 27 December 2011.
  47. ↑ "Kim Jong Il, leader of North Korea, dies". History (American TV network) . 15 December 2020. Retrieved 27 November 2023.
  48. ↑ "Kim Jong-un | Politics and Government | Research Starters | EBSCO Research". www.ebsco.com. Retrieved 19 July 2026.
  49. ↑ Sang-Hun, Choe (11 April 2012). "As Rocket Launching Nears, North Korea Continues Shift to New 'Supreme Leader'". The New York Times . Retrieved 18 September 2023. Per note at end of NYT article: 'An earlier version of this article incorrectly stated the day on which North Korea had elevated Kim Jong-un to chairman of the Workers' Party's central military commission and granted him membership in the Politburo and its presidium. It was on Wednesday (11 April), not Thursday (12 April).'
  50. 1 2 Sang-Hun, Choe (29 June 2016). "Kim Jong-un Takes an Additional Title in North Korea". The New York Times . Retrieved 18 September 2023. The Assembly revised North Korea's Constitution to create what the state media called a Commission on State Affairs, with Mr. Kim as its chairman. It replaces the National Defense Commission.
  51. ↑ Madden, Michael (20 May 2016). "Deciphering the 7th Party Congress: A Teaser for Greater Change?". 38 North. Archived from the original on 12 February 2021. Retrieved 12 February 2021. The major organizational change announced at the 7th Party Congress was the reinstatement of the WPK chairmanship, to which Kim Jong Un was elected
  52. ↑ Frank, Rüdiger (19 January 2021). "Key Results of The Eighth Party Congress in North Korea (Part 2 of 2)". 38 North. Archived from the original on 12 February 2021. Retrieved 12 February 2021. Titles throughout all party levels were changed from "chairman" to three levels of "secretary".
  53. ↑ Frank, Rüdiger (19 January 2021). "Key Results of The Eighth Party Congress in North Korea (Part 2 of 2)". 38 North. Archived from the original on 12 February 2021. Retrieved 12 February 2021. Kim Jong Un was elected as general secretary of the party. This is remarkable, considering that on April 11, 2012, Kim Jong Il had been named the "eternal general secretary".
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