8th Central Committee of the Workers' Party of Korea

8th Central Committee
8th Central Committee
← 7th
	Emblem of the Workers' Party of North Korea
10 January 2021 – present; (351 days)
Overview
Decision making; body	Central Committee of the Workers' Party of Korea
Election	8th Congress
Members	139
Alternate members	111
Officers
General Secretary	Kim Jong-un
Presidium	5
Politburo	19 full; 11 alt.
Secretariat	8
Auditing Commission	15
Military Commission	13

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[]

Plenum	Start–end	Length	Meeting agenda
1st Plenary Session	10 January 2021	1 day	2 items. On establishing a new discipline and supervision system:^[5] Further clarification of the new role of the Central Auditing Commission; the establishment of an executive department to guarantee the CAC's new position. Election of officers and apparatus heads of the 8th Central Committee.^[6] Election of WPK General Secretary:^[6] Kim Jong-un elected.^[6] Election of members to the Presidium of the 8th Politburo:^[6] Kim Jong-un, Choe Ryong-hae, Ri Pyong-chol, Kim Tok-hun and Jo Yong-won were elected.^[6] Election of members to the 8th Politburo:^[6] Kim Jong-un, Choe Ryong-hae, Ri Pyong-chol, Kim Tok-hun, Jo Yong-won, Pak Thae-song, Pak Jong-chon, , Ri Il-hwan, Kim Tu-il, Choe Sang-gon, Kim Jae-ryong, O Il-jong, Kim Yong-chol, O Su-yong, Kwon Yong-jin, Kim Jong-gwan, Jong Kyong-thaek and Ri Yong-gil were elected.^[6] Election of alternate members to the 8th Politburo:^[6] Pak Thae-dok, Pak Myong-sun, Ho Chol-man, Ri Chol-man, , Thae Hyong-chol, Kim Yong-hwan, , , and Ri Son-gwon were elected.^[6] Election of members to the 8th Secretariat:^[6] Kim Jong-un, Jo Yong-won, Pak Thae-song, Ri Pyong-chol, Jong Sang-hak, Ri Il-hwan, Kim Tu-il and were elected.^[6] Election of members to the 8th Central Military Commission:^[6] Kim Jong-un as Chairman and Ri Pyong-chol as Vice Chairman, and Jo Yong-won, O Il-jong, , , O Su-yong, Pak Jong-chon, Kwon Yong-jin, Kim Jong-gwan, Jong Kyong-thaek, Ri Yong-gil and were elected as ordinary members.^[6] Election of members to the :^[6] Jong Sang-hak as Chairman with and Pak Thae-dok and Ri Hi Yong as vice chairmen. Ri Kyong-chol, , , , Jong In-chol, Kim Song-chol, , , , , Kim Kwang-chol and were elected as ordinary members.^[6] Department directors were appointed by the plenum:^[6] Kim Jae-ryong, O Il-jong, Pak Thae-dok, , Ho Chol-man, Kim Hyong-sik, Pak Myong-sun, Ri Chol-man, , Kang Sun-nam, Kim Yong-chol, , Pak Jong-nam, Choe Hwi and Kim Yong-su were appointed department directors.^[6]
2nd Plenary Session	8–11 February 2021	4 day	5 items. On fully realising the first year of the five-year plan of the 8th Congress.^[7] On conducting an all-out struggle against anti-socialist and non-socialist methods throughout society.^[7] On changing the compilation of the Central Committee slogans.^[7] On the document "".^[7] On organisational matters:^[7] By-election to the 8th Politburo:^[7] Ri Son-gwon was elected.^[7] By-election of alternates to the 8th Politburo:^[7] Kim Song-nam was elected.^[7] By-election to the 8th Secretariat:^[7] O Su-yong was elected.^[7] Promotion from alternate to full membership of the 8th Central Committee:^[7] , Kim Yong-nam and were promoted.^[7] By-election of alternate members to the 8th Central Committee:^[7] , , , and were elected.^[7] Appointment of directors of the 8th Central Committee:^[7] O Su-yong was appointed Director of the Department of Economic Affairs.^[7]

Department directors[]

Institution	Name	Took office	Left office	Tenure
	Ri Chol-man	10 January 2021	Incumbent	351 days
	Ho Chol-man	10 January 2021	Incumbent	351 days
	Pak Thae-dok	10 January 2021	Incumbent	351 days
	Kim Tu-il	10 January 2021	11 February 2021	32 days
	O Su-yong	11 February 2021	Incumbent	319 days
	Kim Yong-su	10 January 2021	Incumbent	351 days
		10 January 2021	Incumbent	351 days
		10 January 2021	Incumbent	351 days
	Pak Myong-sun	10 January 2021	Incumbent	351 days
	O Il-jong	10 January 2021	Incumbent	351 days
		10 January 2021	Incumbent	351 days
Organization and Guidance Department	Kim Jae-ryong	10 January 2021	Incumbent	351 days
United Front Department	Kim Yong-chol	10 January 2021	Incumbent	351 days
	Ri Il-hwan	10 January 2021	Incumbent	351 days
Unknown	Choe Hwi	10 January 2021	Incumbent	351 days

	Pak Jong-nam

Members[]

Rank	Name Hangul	Level of government	7th CC	Inner-composition
Rank	Name Hangul	Level of government	7th CC	8th PRE	8th POL	8th SEC	8th CMC	8th CAC
1	Kim Jong-un	Central General Secretary of the Workers' Party of Korea Chairman of the State Affairs Commission	Old	Member	Member	Gen. Sec.	Chairman	—
2	Choe Ryong-hae	Central First Vice Chairman of the State Affairs Commission President of the Presidium of the Supreme People's Assembly	Old	Member	Member	—	—	—
3	Ri Pyong-chol	Central Vice Chairman of the Central Military Commission	Old	Member	Member	Member	V. Chairman	—
4	Kim Tok-hun	Central Premier of the Cabinet	Old	Member	Member	—	—	—
5	Kim Jae-ryong	Central Director of the Organization and Guidance Department	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		—	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		—	New	—	—	—	—	—
17		Central Vice Premier of the Cabinet	Alternate	—	Alternate	—	—	—
18	Jo Yong-won	—	Old	Member	Member	Member	Member	—
19	Ri Hi-yong	—	Old	—	—	—	—	V. Chairman
20	Pak Thae-song	Central President of the Supreme People's Assembly	Old	—	Member	Member	—	—
21	Kim Yo-jong	—	Old	—	—	—	—	—
22	Ri Yong-sik	—	Old	—	—	—	—	—
23		Central Director of the	Alternate	—	—	—	—	—
24	Hong Sung-mu	—	Old	—	—	—	—	—
25		—	Alternate	—	—	—	—	—
26		—	Old	—	—	—	—	—
27		—	New	—	Member	Member	—	Chairman
28		—	New	—	—	—	—	—
29		—	New	—	—	—	—	Member
30		—	New	—	—	—	—	—
31	Hyon Song-wol	—	New	—	—	—	—	—
32		—	Old	—	—	—	—	—
33		—	New	—	—	—	—	—
34		—	New	—	—	—	Member	—
35		—	New	—	—	—	—	Member
36		—	New	—	—	—	—	—
37		—	New	—	—	—	—	Member
38		—	Alternate	—	—	—	—	—
39		—	Old	—	—	—	—	—
40		—	New	—	—	—	—	—
41	Pak Jong-nam	—	Old	—	—	—	—	—
42	Kim Song-chol	—	New	—	—	—	—	Member
43		—	New	—	—	—	—	Member
44		—	New	—	—	—	—	Member
45		—	New	—	—	—	—	—
46		Central	New	—	—	—	—	—
47	Thae Hyong-chol	Central Vice President of the Presidium of the Supreme People's Assembly	Old	—	Alternate	—	—	—
48		—	New	—	—	—	—	—
49		—	New	—	—	—	—	Member
50		—	Old	—	Alternate	—	—	—
51	O Su-yong	Central Director of the Chairman of the of the Supreme People's Assembly	Old	—	Member	—	Member	—
52	Kim Yong-hwan	—	New	—	Alternate	—	—	—
53	Kim Tu-il	Central Director of the	Old	—	Member	Member	—	—
54		—	New	—	—	—	—	—
55	Mun Kyong-dok	—	New	—	—	—	—	—
56	Ri Chol-man	—	Old	—	Alternate	—	—	—
57		—	New	—	—	—	—	—
58	Kang Pong-hun	—	Old	—	—	—	—	—
59	Kim Chol-sam	—	New	—	—	—	—	—
60		—	New	—	—	—	—	—
61		—	Alternate	—	—	—	—	—
62		—	Alternate	—	—	—	—	—
63		—	New	—	—	—	—	—
64		—	Old	—	—	—	—	—
65	Ri Son-gwon	—	Old	—	Alternate	—	—	—
66		—	Alternate	—	—	—	—	—
67		—	Alternate	—	—	—	—	—
68	Kang Jong-gwan	—	Old	—	—	—	—	—
69		—	New	—	—	—	—	—
70		Central Vice Premier of the Cabinet	Old	—	—	—	—	—
71		Central Vice Premier of the Cabinet	New	—	—	—	—	—
72		—	New	—	—	—	—	—
73		—	New	—	—	—	—	—
74		—	Alternate	—	—	—	—	—
75		—	Alternate	—	—	—	—	—
76	Kim Sung-du	—	Old	—	—	—	—	—
77		—	Old	—	—	—	—	Member
78		Central Vice Premier of the Cabinet Chairman of the	Alternate	—	Alternate	—	—	—
79		Central	New	—	—	—	—	—
80		Central Vice Premier of the Cabinet	New	—	—	—	—	—
81		Central	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		—	New	—	—	—	—	Member
87		—	Alternate	—	—	—	—	Member
88		—	New	—	—	—	—	Member
89		—	Old	—	—	—	—	—
90	Ri Hong-sop	—	Old	—	—	—	—	—
91		—	New	—	—	—	—	—
92		—	New	—	—	—	—	—
93		—	Alternate	—	—	—	—	—
94		Central Secretary-General of the Cabinet of North Korea	Old	—	—	—	—	—
95		Central Vice Premier of the Cabinet	New	—	—	—	—	—
96		—	New	—	—	—	—	—
97		—	New	—	—	—	—	—
98		—	New	—	—	—	—	—
99		—	New	—	—	—	—	—
100		—	New	—	—	—	—	—
101		—	New	—	—	—	—	—
102		—	Alternate	—	—	—	—	—
103		—	New	—	—	—	—	—
104		—	Old	—	—	—	—	—
105		—	Old	—	—	—	—	—
106	No Kwang-chol	—	Old	—	—	—	—	—
107		—	Old	—	—	—	—	—
108		Central President of the Kim Il-sung University under the	New	—	—	—	—	—
109		—	New	—	—	—	—	—
110	Pak Jong-chon	—	Old	—	Member	—	Member	—
111	Kim Su-gil	—	Old	—	—	—	—	—
112	Kim Jong-gwan	—	Old	—	Member	—	Member	—
113		—	Old	—	—	—	—	—
114	Pang Tu-sop	—	Old	—	—	—	—	—
115		—	New	—	—	—	Member	—
116		—	New	—	—	—	—	—
117		—	Alternate	—	—	—	Member	—
118	So Hong-chan	—	Old	—	—	—	—	—
119	Kwon Yong-jin	—	New	—	Member	—	Member	—
120		—	Old	—	—	—	—	—
121	Pak Yong-il	—	New	—	—	—	—	—
122	Kim Myong-sik	—	Alternate	—	—	—	—	—
123		—	Alternate	—	—	—	—	—
124		—	Old	—	—	—	—	—
125	Pak Su-il	—	Old	—	—	—	—	—
126		—	Alternate	—	—	—	—	—
127		—	Old	—	—	—	—	—
128		—	New	—	—	—	—	—
129		—	Old	—	—	—	—	—
130		—	Alternate	—	—	—	—	—
131		—	Old	—	—	—	—	—
132		—	Alternate	—	—	—	—	—
133		—	Alternate	—	—	—	—	—
134		—	Old	—	—	—	—	—
135		—	Old	—	—	—	—	—
136		—	Alternate	—	—	—	—	—
137		—	Old	—	—	—	—	—
138		—	New	—	—	—	—	—
139		—	New	—	—	—	—	—

Alternates[]

Rank	Name Hangul	Level of government	7th CC
1		—	Old
2		—	New
3		—	New
4		—	New
5	Ri Ryong-nam	—	Old
6		Central	Old
7		—	Old
8	Wang Chang-uk	—	Old
9		—	New
10	Kang Chol-gu	—	New
11		—	New
12		Central President of the Central Bank of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea	New
13		Central Director of the Central Bureau of Statistics	New
14	Choe Son-hui	—	New
15		—	Old
16		—	Old
17		—	Old
18		—	New
19		Central	New
20		Central	New
21		Central Minister of Posts and Telecommunications	New
22		Central	New
23		Central	New
24	Jang Kyong-il	Central	New
25		Central	New
26		Central	New
27		Central	New
28		—	New
29		Central Minister of Finance	New
30		Central	New
31		—	New
32		—	New
33		—	New
34		Central	New
35		—	New
36		—	New
37	Pak In-chol	—	New
38		—	New
39		—	Old
40		—	New
41		—	New
42	Kang Hyong-bong	—	Old
43		—	Old
44		—	Old
45		—	New
46		—	New
47		—	New
48		—	New
49		—	New
50		—	New
51		—	New
52	Kim Yong-nam	—	Old
53		—	New
54		—	Old
55		—	New
56		—	New
57		—	New
58		—	New
59		—	New
60		—	New
61		—	New
62		—	New
63		—	Old
64		—	Old
65		—	New
66		—	New
67		—	Old
68		—	Old
69		—	Old
70		—	New
71		—	New
72		—	New
73		—	Old
74		—	New
75		—	Old
76		—	New
77		—	New
78		—	New
79		—	New
80		—	New
81		—	New
82		—	New
83		—	Old
84		—	New
85	Myong Song-chol	—	Old
86		—	Old
87		—	New
88		—	New
89		—	New
90		—	New
91		—	Old
92		—	New
93		—	Old
94	O Kum-chol	—	Old
95		—	Old
96		—	New
97		—	Old
98		—	New
99		—	Old
100		—	New
101	Kim Jong-chol	—	New
102		—	Old
103		—	New
104		—	New
105		—	New
106		—	Old
107		—	New
108		—	New
109	Kim Yong-ho	—	New
110		—	New
111		—	New

Changes (2021–26)[]

Name Hangul	Level of government (Offices held)	7th CC	Inner-composition
Name Hangul	Level of government (Offices held)	7th CC	2 PL (2021)	N PL (202?)
	—	New	Alternate	—
	—	New	Alternate	—
	—	New	Alternate	—
	—	Alternate	Full	—
	—	Alternate	Full	—
Kim Yong-nam	—	Alternate	Full	—
	—	New	Alternate	—
	—	New	Alternate	—

References[]

Citations[]

^ "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.

Sources[]

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 8 February 2021. Retrieved 7 February 2021 – via KCNA Watch.
Staff writer (11 January 2021). "Press release of First Plenary Meeting of Eighth WPK Central Committee issued". Pyongyang Times. Korean Central News Agency. Archived from the original on 8 February 2021. Retrieved 7 February 2021.

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.

[kcna_Sixt-1] "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.

[FOOTNOTESuh1981271-2] Suh 1981, p. 271.

[3] "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.

[FOOTNOTESuh1981277-4] Suh 1981, p. 277.

[CAC-5] "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.

[Plenary-6] ^ ^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.

[2nd_Plenum-7] ^ ^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.

[1]

[2]

[3]

[4]

[5]

[6]

[7]

8th Central Committee
← 7th
Emblem of the Workers' Party of North Korea
10 January 2021 – present (351 days)
Overview
Decision making body	Central Committee of the Workers' Party of Korea
Election	8th Congress
Members	139
Alternate members	111
Officers
General Secretary	Kim Jong-un
Presidium	5
Politburo	19 full 11 alt.
Secretariat	8
Auditing Commission	15
Military Commission	13

Politics of North Korea


Constitution Juche (state ideology) Songun ("military-first" policy) Eternal Leaders Kim Il-sung Kim Jong-il
Workers' Party Congress (8th) General Secretary Kim Jong-un Rules Central Committee (8th) Politburo (8th) Presidium (8th) Kim Jong-un Choe Ryong-hae Jo Yong-won Kim Tok-hun Ri Pyong-chol Secretariat (8th) Central Military Commission (8th) Chairman Kim Jong-un Vice Chairman Ri Pyong-chol Central Auditing Commission (8th) Chairman Organization and Guidance Department Propaganda and Agitation Department United Front Department
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