National Defense Commission
| 조선민주주의인민공화국 국방위원회 | |
 |
|
| Commission overview | |
|---|---|
| Formed | 1972 |
| Dissolved | 2016 |
| Superseding agency | |
| Jurisdiction | Government of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea |
| Commission executives |
|
| DPRK National Defence Commission | |
| Chosŏn'gŭl | 조선민주주의인민공화국 국방위원회 |
|---|---|
| Hancha | 朝鮮民主主義人民共和國國防委員會 |
| Revised Romanization | Joseon minjujuui inmin gonghwaguk gukbang wiwonhoe |
| McCune–Reischauer | Chosŏn minjujuŭi inmin konghwaguk kukpang wiwŏnhoe |
The National Defence Commission of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (NDC) was defined by the 1998 constitution as "the highest guiding organ of the military and the managing organ of military matters". The Chairman of the National Defence Commission controls the armed forces and, in this state where the military dominated, was the most powerful position in the country and was held by Kim Jong-il up until his death. Per the 2016 Constitution, the commission was replaced by the State Affairs Commission.
The National Defence Commission was created in 1972, with a group of commissions subordinate to the Central People's Committee, as part of the 1972 DPRK Constitution. The first National Defence Commission consisted of four members (Kim Il-sung; Choe Hyon; O Jin-u; and O Paek Ryong). The NDC was chartered in Chapter VII, Article 105:
The Central People's Committee establishes a Domestic Policy Commission, a Foreign Policy Commission, a National Defence Commission, a Justice and Security Commission and other respective commissions to assist in its work.
The National Defence Commission, though nominally under the Supreme People's Assembly, was confirmed as the highest state body, with ultimate executive power (including responsibility for the armed forces) resting with its chairman, in 1998 through a constitutional amendment.
The Fifth Session of the 12th Supreme People's Assembly, held on 13 April 2012, proclaimed Kim Jong-il as the "Eternal Chairman of the National Defence Commission". The Constitution was revised to replace it with the First Chairman post, with the late leader's son and successor Kim Jong-un appointed to the new position.
Kim Jong-un has taken over as the First Chairman of the Commission, this organization seems to have faded somewhat into the background. It is a mouthpiece on certain issues, especially focused on inter-Korean relations, and is the source for announcements regarding tests of critical defense systems. Also, as of early 2014, there had been no reported meetings of the NDC.
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Wikipedia