General Political Bureau of the Korean People's Army

The General Political Bureau (GPB) is a department of the Ministry of Defence, used by the leadership of the North Korean government to exert political control over the Korean People's Army (KPA). The GPB operates under the direction of the Central Military Commission of the Workers' Party of Korea.[1] The GPB controls units of the KPA on all levels down to company level. It primarily exerts control through propaganda, education, and cultural activities. Under directions of the State Affairs Commission of North Korea, it also controls troop movements.[2]

General Political Bureau
조선인민군총정치국
CountryNorth Korea
TypePolitburo
RoleCivilian control of the military
Part ofMinistry of Defence
Commanders
DirectorColonel General Jong Kyong-thaek

As of January 2023, the Director of the General Political Bureau is Jong Kyong-thaek, who succeeded Kwon Yong-jin.

History

During Kim Jong Il's Songun (military first) era in particular, the GPB remained relatively independent and unchanged for decades. In the 3rd WPK Representatives Conference held in 2010, GPB was granted equal status to the Central Committee of the WPK.[3] During this time, it has been called as the internal politburo of the KPA.

However, the influence of the GPB has decreased under Kim Jong Un's rule; after the 7th Congress of the WPK held in, the party had regained enough power to exert influence over the GPB. Consequentially, in 2017 the party Central Committee was ordered to carry out an inspection of the GPB, the first of its kind in 20 years. The inspection was carried out by Choe Ryong-hae.[4] The GPB director Hwang Pyong-so was punished, and removed from his position as Standing Commissioner.[3] The 8th WPK Congress held in 2021 also oversaw the demotion of the GPB, no longer being equal to the Central Committee. Some of GPB's functions were also transferred to the newly established Department of Political Leadership over Military Affairs of the WPK CC.[3]

See also

References
  1. Minnich 2008, pp. 242–244.
  2. Minnich 2008, p. 244.
  3. Lee, Gee-dong. "The Changing Status and Role of the North Korean Military". Global Asia. Retrieved 2023-06-25.
  4. Kim Ji-seung (23 November 2017). "Party reasserts power over military with inspection of General Political Bureau". Daily NK. Translated by Zwirko, Colin. Retrieved 2 December 2017.

Works cited
  • Minnich, James M. (2008). "National Security". In Worden, Robert L. (ed.). North Korea: A Country Study (Fifth ed.). Washington: Government Printing Office. pp. 237–282. ISBN 978-0-16-088278-4. LCCN 2008028547.
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