8th Central Committee of the Workers' Party of Korea
8th Central Committee | |
---|---|
10 January 2021 – present (3 years, 313 days) Overview | |
Type | Central Committee of the Workers' Party of Korea |
Election | 8th Congress |
Leadership | |
General Secretary | Kim Jong Un |
Presidium | 5 |
Politburo | 19 full 11 alt. |
Secretariat | 8 |
Auditing organ | 15 |
Members | |
Total | 139 |
Alternates | |
Total | 111 |
North Korea portal |
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.[1] In between party congresses and specially convened conferences the Central Committee is the highest decision-making institution in the WPK and North Korea.[2] 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.[2][3] It convenes meetings, known as "Plenary Session of the [term] Central Committee", to discuss major policies.[4] 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.[4] Plenary session can also be attended by non-members, such meetings are known as "Enlarged Plenary Session", to participate in the committee's discussions.[4]
Plenums
[edit]Plenum | Start–end | Length | Meeting agenda |
---|---|---|---|
1st Plenary Session | 10 January 2021 | 1 day | 2 items.
|
2nd Plenary Session | 8–11 February 2021 | 4 day | 5 items.
|
7th Enlarged Plenary Session | 26 February - 1 March 2023[8] | 4 days | |
8th Plenary Session | 17 June 2023 | 1 day | |
9th Plenary Session | 27–29 December 2023 | 3 days | |
10th Enlarged Plenary Session[9] | 28 June 2024 |
Department directors
[edit]Institution | Name | Took office | Left office | Tenure |
---|---|---|---|---|
Agricultural Department | Ri Chol-man | 10 January 2021 | Incumbent | 3 years and 313 days |
Cadre Department | Ho Chol-man | 10 January 2021 | Incumbent | 3 years and 313 days |
Discipline Investigation Department | Pak Thae-dok | 10 January 2021 | Incumbent | 3 years and 313 days |
Economic Affairs Department | Kim Tu-il | 10 January 2021 | 11 February 2021 | 32 days |
O Su-yong | 11 February 2021 | Incumbent | 3 years and 281 days | |
Finance and Accounting Department | Kim Yong-su | 10 January 2021 | Incumbent | 3 years and 313 days |
International Department | Kim Song-nam | 10 January 2021 | Incumbent | 3 years and 313 days |
Legal Department | Kim Hyong-sik | 10 January 2021 | Incumbent | 3 years and 313 days |
Light Industry Department | Pak Myong-sun | 10 January 2021 | Incumbent | 3 years and 313 days |
Military Leadership Department | O Il-jong | 10 January 2021 | Incumbent | 3 years and 313 days |
Munitions Industry Department | Kang Sun-nam | 10 January 2021 | Incumbent | 3 years and 313 days |
Organization and Guidance Department | Kim Jae-ryong | 10 January 2021 | Incumbent | 3 years and 313 days |
United Front Department | Kim Yong-chol | 10 January 2021 | Incumbent | 3 years and 313 days |
Working Organization Department | Ri Il-hwan | 10 January 2021 | Incumbent | 3 years and 313 days |
Unknown | Choe Hwi | 10 January 2021 | Incumbent | 3 years and 313 days |
Kim Se-bok | ||||
Pak Jong-nam | ||||
Ri Tu-song |
Members
[edit]Rank | Name Hangul |
Level of government | 7th CC | Inner-composition | ||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
8th PRE | 8th POL | 8th SEC | 8th CMC | 8th CAC | ||||
1 | Kim Jong Un | Central
|
Old | Member | Member | Gen. Sec. | Chairman | —
|
2 | Choe Ryong-hae | Central
|
Old | Member | Member | —
|
—
|
—
|
3 | Ri Pyong-chol | Central
|
Old | Member | Member | Member | V. Chairman | —
|
4 | Kim Tok-hun | Central |
Old | Member | Member | —
|
—
|
—
|
5 | Kim Jae-ryong | Central
|
Old | —
|
Member | —
|
—
|
—
|
6 | Ri Il-hwan | —
|
Old | —
|
Member | Member | —
|
—
|
7 | Choe Hwi | —
|
Old | —
|
—
|
—
|
—
|
—
|
8 | Pak Thae-dok | —
|
Old | —
|
Alternate | —
|
—
|
V. Chairman |
9 | Kim Yong-chol | —
|
Old | —
|
Member | —
|
—
|
—
|
10 | Ho Chol-man | —
|
New | —
|
Alternate | —
|
—
|
—
|
11 | Kim Hyong-sik | —
|
New | —
|
Alternate | —
|
—
|
—
|
12 | Pak Myong-sun | —
|
New | —
|
Alternate | —
|
—
|
—
|
13 | Choe Sang-gon | —
|
Old | —
|
Member | Member | —
|
—
|
14 | O Il-jong | —
|
New | —
|
Member | —
|
Member | —
|
15 | Kim Yong-su | —
|
Old | —
|
—
|
—
|
—
|
—
|
16 | Sin Ryong-man | —
|
New | —
|
—
|
—
|
—
|
—
|
17 | Jon Hyon-chol | Central |
Alternate | —
|
Alternate | —
|
—
|
—
|
18 | Jo Yong-won | —
|
Old | Member | Member | Member | Member | —
|
19 | Ri Hi-yong | —
|
Old | —
|
—
|
—
|
—
|
V. Chairman |
20 | Pak Thae-song | Central
|
Old | —
|
Member | Member | —
|
—
|
21 | Kim Yo-jong | —
|
Old | —
|
—
|
—
|
—
|
—
|
22 | Ri Yong-sik | —
|
Old | —
|
—
|
—
|
—
|
—
|
23 | Kim Song-nam | Central
|
Alternate | —
|
—
|
—
|
—
|
—
|
24 | Hong Sung-mu | —
|
Old | —
|
—
|
—
|
—
|
—
|
25 | Jang Kwang-myong | —
|
Alternate | —
|
—
|
—
|
—
|
—
|
26 | Choe Tong-myong | —
|
Old | —
|
—
|
—
|
—
|
—
|
27 | Jong Sang-hak | —
|
New | —
|
Member | Member | —
|
Chairman |
28 | Pak Song-chol | —
|
New | —
|
—
|
—
|
—
|
—
|
29 | Ri Kyong-chol | —
|
New | —
|
—
|
—
|
—
|
Member |
30 | An Kum-chol | —
|
New | —
|
—
|
—
|
—
|
—
|
31 | Hyon Song-wol | —
|
New | —
|
—
|
—
|
—
|
—
|
32 | Kim Pyong-ho | —
|
Old | —
|
—
|
—
|
—
|
—
|
33 | Jang Ryong-sik | —
|
New | —
|
—
|
—
|
—
|
—
|
34 | Kim Jo-guk | —
|
New | —
|
—
|
—
|
Member | —
|
35 | Pak Kwang-sik | —
|
New | —
|
—
|
—
|
—
|
Member |
36 | Kim Song-gi | —
|
New | —
|
—
|
—
|
—
|
—
|
37 | Pak Kwang-ung | —
|
New | —
|
—
|
—
|
—
|
Member |
38 | Kim Jong-sik | —
|
Alternate | —
|
—
|
—
|
—
|
—
|
39 | Jo Yong-chol | —
|
Old | —
|
—
|
—
|
—
|
—
|
40 | Kim Se-bok | —
|
New | —
|
—
|
—
|
—
|
—
|
41 | Pak Jong-nam | —
|
Old | —
|
—
|
—
|
—
|
—
|
42 | Kim Song-chol | —
|
New | —
|
—
|
—
|
—
|
Member |
43 | Jong In-chol | —
|
New | —
|
—
|
—
|
—
|
Member |
44 | Jon Thae-su | —
|
New | —
|
—
|
—
|
—
|
Member |
45 | Pak Yong-min | —
|
New | —
|
—
|
—
|
—
|
—
|
46 | Ma Jong-son | Central |
New | —
|
—
|
—
|
—
|
—
|
47 | Thae Hyong-chol | Central
|
Old | —
|
Alternate | —
|
—
|
—
|
48 | Ko Kil-son | —
|
New | —
|
—
|
—
|
—
|
—
|
49 | O Tong-il | —
|
New | —
|
—
|
—
|
—
|
Member |
50 | Yang Sung-ho | —
|
Old | —
|
Alternate | —
|
—
|
—
|
51 | O Su-yong | Central
|
Old | —
|
Member | —
|
Member | —
|
52 | Kim Yong-hwan | —
|
New | —
|
Alternate | —
|
—
|
—
|
53 | Kim Tu-il | Central
|
Old | —
|
Member | Member | —
|
—
|
54 | Ri Jae-nam | —
|
New | —
|
—
|
—
|
—
|
—
|
55 | Mun Kyong-dok | —
|
New | —
|
—
|
—
|
—
|
—
|
56 | Ri Chol-man | —
|
Old | —
|
Alternate | —
|
—
|
—
|
57 | Pak Chang-ho | —
|
New | —
|
—
|
—
|
—
|
—
|
58 | Kang Pong-hun | —
|
Old | —
|
—
|
—
|
—
|
—
|
59 | Kim Chol-sam | —
|
New | —
|
—
|
—
|
—
|
—
|
60 | Ri Jong-nam | —
|
New | —
|
—
|
—
|
—
|
—
|
61 | Ri Thae-il | —
|
Alternate | —
|
—
|
—
|
—
|
—
|
62 | Sin Yong-chol | —
|
Alternate | —
|
—
|
—
|
—
|
—
|
63 | Jang Yong-rok | —
|
New | —
|
—
|
—
|
—
|
—
|
64 | Rim Kyong-man | —
|
Old | —
|
—
|
—
|
—
|
—
|
65 | Ri Son-gwon | —
|
Old | —
|
Alternate | —
|
—
|
—
|
66 | Jon Hak-chol | —
|
Alternate | —
|
—
|
—
|
—
|
—
|
67 | Kim Chung-gol | —
|
Alternate | —
|
—
|
—
|
—
|
—
|
68 | Kang Jong-gwan | —
|
Old | —
|
—
|
—
|
—
|
—
|
69 | Kim Jong-nam | —
|
New | —
|
—
|
—
|
—
|
—
|
70 | Pak Hun | Central |
Old | —
|
—
|
—
|
—
|
—
|
71 | Ri Song-hak | Central |
New | —
|
—
|
—
|
—
|
—
|
72 | Song Chun-sop | —
|
New | —
|
—
|
—
|
—
|
—
|
73 | Ri Chung-gil | —
|
New | —
|
—
|
—
|
—
|
—
|
74 | Kim Sung-jin | —
|
Alternate | —
|
—
|
—
|
—
|
—
|
75 | Kim Kyong-jun | —
|
Alternate | —
|
—
|
—
|
—
|
—
|
76 | Kim Sung-du | —
|
Old | —
|
—
|
—
|
—
|
—
|
77 | Jang Ki-ho | —
|
Old | —
|
—
|
—
|
—
|
Member |
78 | Pak Jong-gun | Central
|
Alternate | —
|
Alternate | —
|
—
|
—
|
79 | Jang Chun-song | Central |
New | —
|
—
|
—
|
—
|
—
|
80 | Kim Song-ryong | Central |
New | —
|
—
|
—
|
—
|
—
|
81 | Kim Yu-il | New | —
|
—
|
—
|
—
|
—
| |
82 | Ri Yong-gil | —
|
Old | —
|
Member | —
|
Member | —
|
83 | Jong Kyong-thaek | —
|
New | —
|
Member | —
|
Member | —
|
84 | Jang Jong-nam | —
|
Old | —
|
—
|
—
|
—
|
—
|
85 | Kim Kwang-chol | —
|
Alternate | —
|
—
|
—
|
—
|
Member |
86 | Jang Kwang-bong | —
|
New | —
|
—
|
—
|
—
|
Member |
87 | Kang Yun-sok | —
|
Alternate | —
|
—
|
—
|
—
|
Member |
88 | U Sang-chol | —
|
New | —
|
—
|
—
|
—
|
Member |
89 | Jang Chang-ha | —
|
Old | —
|
—
|
—
|
—
|
—
|
90 | Ri Hong-sop | —
|
Old | —
|
—
|
—
|
—
|
—
|
91 | Kang Kyong-ho | —
|
New | —
|
—
|
—
|
—
|
—
|
92 | Rim Yong-chol | —
|
New | —
|
—
|
—
|
—
|
—
|
93 | Sim Hong-bin | —
|
Alternate | —
|
—
|
—
|
—
|
—
|
94 | Kim Kum-chol | Central
|
Old | —
|
—
|
—
|
—
|
—
|
95 | Ju Chol-gyu | New | —
|
—
|
—
|
—
|
—
| |
96 | Yun Jae-hyok | —
|
New | —
|
—
|
—
|
—
|
—
|
97 | Pak Mun-ho | —
|
New | —
|
—
|
—
|
—
|
—
|
98 | Kim Sun-chol | —
|
New | —
|
—
|
—
|
—
|
—
|
99 | Yu Jin | —
|
New | —
|
—
|
—
|
—
|
—
|
100 | Kang Hak-chol | —
|
New | —
|
—
|
—
|
—
|
—
|
101 | Ri Yong-hon | —
|
New | —
|
—
|
—
|
—
|
—
|
102 | Kim Kwang-nam | —
|
Alternate | —
|
—
|
—
|
—
|
—
|
103 | Han Yong-il | —
|
New | —
|
—
|
—
|
—
|
—
|
104 | Kim Chol-ha | —
|
Old | —
|
—
|
—
|
—
|
—
|
105 | Ri Kwang-chol | —
|
Old | —
|
—
|
—
|
—
|
—
|
106 | No Kwang-chol | —
|
Old | —
|
—
|
—
|
—
|
—
|
107 | Jon Il-ho | —
|
Old | —
|
—
|
—
|
—
|
—
|
108 | Ri Kuk-chol | Central
|
New | —
|
—
|
—
|
—
|
—
|
109 | Choe Pyong-wan | —
|
New | —
|
—
|
—
|
—
|
—
|
110 | Pak Jong-chon | —
|
Old | —
|
Member | —
|
Member | —
|
111 | Kim Su-gil | —
|
Old | —
|
—
|
—
|
—
|
—
|
112 | Kim Jong-gwan | —
|
Old | —
|
Member | —
|
Member | —
|
113 | Jo Kyong-chol | —
|
Old | —
|
—
|
—
|
—
|
—
|
114 | Pang Tu-sop | —
|
Old | —
|
—
|
—
|
—
|
—
|
115 | Rim Kwang-il | —
|
New | —
|
—
|
—
|
Member | —
|
116 | Kwon Thae-yong | —
|
New | —
|
—
|
—
|
—
|
—
|
117 | Kang Sun-nam | —
|
Alternate | —
|
—
|
—
|
Member | —
|
118 | So Hong-chan | —
|
Old | —
|
—
|
—
|
—
|
—
|
119 | Kwon Yong-jin | —
|
New | —
|
Member | —
|
Member | —
|
120 | Ri Tu-song | —
|
Old | —
|
—
|
—
|
—
|
—
|
121 | Pak Yong-il | —
|
New | —
|
—
|
—
|
—
|
—
|
122 | Kim Myong-sik | —
|
Alternate | —
|
—
|
—
|
—
|
—
|
123 | Kim Kwang-hyok | —
|
Alternate | —
|
—
|
—
|
—
|
—
|
124 | Kim Jong-gil | —
|
Old | —
|
—
|
—
|
—
|
—
|
125 | Park Su-il | —
|
Old | —
|
—
|
—
|
—
|
—
|
126 | Choe Tu-yong | —
|
Alternate | —
|
—
|
—
|
—
|
—
|
127 | Wi Song-il | —
|
Old | —
|
—
|
—
|
—
|
—
|
128 | Pak Kwang-ju | —
|
New | —
|
—
|
—
|
—
|
—
|
129 | Ri Thae-sop | —
|
Old | —
|
—
|
—
|
—
|
—
|
130 | Choe Chun-gil | —
|
Alternate | —
|
—
|
—
|
—
|
—
|
131 | Pak Myong-su | —
|
Old | —
|
—
|
—
|
—
|
—
|
132 | Song Yong-gon | —
|
Alternate | —
|
—
|
—
|
—
|
—
|
133 | Ri Yong-chol | —
|
Alternate | —
|
—
|
—
|
—
|
—
|
134 | Kim Yong-bok | —
|
Old | —
|
—
|
—
|
—
|
—
|
135 | Ri Pong-chun | —
|
Old | —
|
—
|
—
|
—
|
—
|
136 | Choe Kwang-il | —
|
Alternate | —
|
—
|
—
|
—
|
—
|
137 | Song Sok-won | —
|
Old | —
|
—
|
—
|
—
|
—
|
138 | Kwak Chang-sik | —
|
New | —
|
—
|
—
|
—
|
—
|
139 | Han Sun-chol | —
|
New | —
|
—
|
—
|
—
|
—
|
Alternates
[edit]Changes (2021–26)
[edit]Name Hangul |
Level of government (Offices held) |
7th CC | Inner-composition | |
---|---|---|---|---|
2 PL (2021) |
N PL (202?) | |||
Choe Yong-jin | —
|
New | Alternate | —
|
Hong Hyok-chol | —
|
New | Alternate | —
|
Jong So-chol | —
|
New | Alternate | —
|
Kim Chol-su | —
|
Alternate | Full | —
|
Kim Tong-il | —
|
Alternate | Full | —
|
Kim Yong-nam | —
|
Alternate | Full | —
|
Ryong Kun-chol | —
|
New | Alternate | —
|
Ri Kyong-ho | —
|
New | Alternate | —
|
References
[edit]Citations
[edit]- ^ "Sixth-Day Sitting of 8th WPK Congress Held". Korean Central News Agency. 11 January 2021. Archived from the original on 8 February 2021. Retrieved 12 January 2021 – via KCNA Watch.
- ^ a b Suh 1981, p. 271.
- ^ "WPK Rules Revised at 8th Congress of WPK". DPRK Today. Korean Central News Agency. 11 January 2021. Archived from the original on 8 February 2021. Retrieved 7 February 2021 – via KCNA Watch.
- ^ a b c Suh 1981, p. 277.
- ^ "First plenum of Eighth WPK Central Committee presided by General Secretary Kim Jong Un". Pyongyang Times. Korean Central News Agency. 11 January 2021. Archived from the original on 8 February 2021. Retrieved 7 February 2021 – via KCNA Watch.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q "Press release of First Plenary Meeting of Eighth WPK Central Committee issued". Pyongyang Times. Korean Central News Agency. 11 January 2021. Archived from the original on 8 February 2021. Retrieved 7 February 2021 – via KCNA Watch.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q "Report on Second Plenary Meeting of Eighth Central Committee of WPK". Pyongyang Times. Korean Central News Agency. 12 February 2021. Archived from the original on 12 February 2021. Retrieved 12 February 2021 – via KCNA Watch.
- ^ "Report on 7th Enlarged Plenary Meeting of 8th WPK Central Committee". Retrieved 2024-06-29.
- ^ Jeongmin Kim (2024-06-29). "North Korea begins major party plenum with Kim Jong Un presiding over meeting". NK News. Retrieved 2024-06-29.
Sources
[edit]- General
References for plenary sessions, apparatus heads, the Central Committee full- and alternate membership, Politburo membership, Presidium membership, secretaries, Central Military Commission members, membership in the Central Auditing Commission, offices an individual held, retirement, if the individual in question is military personnel, female, has been expelled, is currently under investigation or has retired:
- Staff writer (11 January 2021). "First plenum of Eighth WPK Central Committee presided by General Secretary Kim Jong Un". Korean Central News Agency. Archived from the original on 8 February 2021. Retrieved 7 February 2021 – via KCNA Watch.
- Staff writer (12 April 2019). "In full: promotions and demotions at North Korea's 14th SPA". NK News. Archived from the original on 10 February 2021. Retrieved 10 February 2021 – via KCNA Watch.
- Staff writer (18 January 2021). "Members of DPRK Cabinet Appointed". Korean Central News Agency. Archived from the original on 10 February 2021. Retrieved 10 February 2021 – via KCNA Watch.
- Staff writer (11 January 2021). "Press Release of 8th Congress of WPK". Korean Central News Agency. Archived from the original on 15 January 2021. Retrieved 7 February 2021 – via KCNA Watch.
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- Bibliography
- Suh, Dae-sook (1981). Korean Communism 1945–1980: A Reference Guide to the Political System (1st ed.). University Press of Hawaii. ISBN 0-8248-0740-5.