Ministry of People's Armed Forces

The Ministry of People's Armed Forces (MPAF, Korean: 인민무력성; MR: Inminmuryŏksŏng, formerly 인민무력부, Inminmuryeokbu) is the government agency tasked with general administrative and logistical coordination of the Korean People's Army (KPA). Prior to 1992, it was under the direct control of the president, with guidance from the National Defence Commission and the Workers' Party of Korea Military Affairs Department. The 1992 state constitution shifts its control to the National Defence Commission. The 2016 state constitution revision shifted its control to the State Affairs Commission. The current Minister of People's Armed Forces is Kim Jong-gwan, who was appointed to the post in December 2019.[1]

Ministry of People's Armed Forces
Agency overview
Jurisdiction North Korea
HeadquartersPyongyang
39°3′39″N 125°44′20″E
Minister responsible
Parent agencyState Affairs Commission
Ministry of People's Armed Forces
Chosŏn'gŭl
인민무력성
Revised RomanizationInminmuryeokseong
McCune–ReischauerInminmuryŏksŏng

Until December 1972, the Minister of the People's Armed Forces was called the Minister of National Defence (민족보위상).[2]

Duties

The Ministry of People's Armed Forces is essentially an umbrella agency gathering the KPA's logistical, political, and personnel components. The ministry also has departments which coordinate relations with foreign militaries, as well as regulating Government-owned corporations related to the defence industry and other foreign currency earning ventures. The ministry, through the General Staff Department is responsible for the daily operational planning and management of the KPA's ground, naval, and air commands. It develops strategy, conducts education and training, conveys the orders and guidance of the KPA Supreme Command and completes certain signals intelligence tasks.

Departments

The Ministry of People's Armed Forces contains the following departments:[3]

Both the Director of the General Political Bureau and Chief of the General Staff have more power than the Minister.

Ministers of People's Armed Forces
Minister of People's Armed Forces
Chosŏn'gŭl
인민무력부장
Revised RomanizationInminmuryeokbujang
McCune–ReischauerInminmuryŏkpujang
No. Portrait MinisterTook officeLeft officeTime in office
1
Yong-gon, ChoeVice Marshal
Choe Yong-gon
최용건
(1900–1976)		September 1948September 19579 years
2
Kwang-hyop, KimGeneral
Kim Kwang-hyop
김광협
(1915–1970)		September 1957October 19625 years, 1 month
3
Chang-bong, KimGeneral
Kim Chang-bong
김창봉		October 1962December 19686 years, 2 months
4
Hyon, ChoeGeneral
Choe Hyon
최현
(1907–1982)		December 1968May 19767 years, 5 months
5
Jin-u, OMarshal
O Jin-u
오진우
(1917–1995)		May 1976February 199518 years, 9 months
6
Kwang, ChoeMarshal
Choe Kwang
최광
(1918–1997)		October 1995February 19971 year, 4 months
7
Il-chol, KimVice Marshal
Kim Il-chol
김일철
(born 1933)		February 1997February 200912 years
8
Yong-chun, KimVice Marshal
Kim Yong-chun
김영춘
(1936–2018)		February 2009April 20123 years, 2 months
9
Jong-gak, KimVice Marshal
Kim Jong-gak
김정각
(born 1941)		April 2012November 20127 months
10
Kyok-sik, KimGeneral
Kim Kyok-sik
김격식
(1938–2015)		November 2012May 20136 months
11
Jong-nam, JangGeneral
Jang Jong-nam
장정남		May 2013June 20141 year, 1 month
12
Yong-chol, HyonGeneral
Hyon Yong-chol
현영철
(1949–2015)		June 201412 May 201511 months
Unknown
(12 May 2015 – 11 July 2015)
13
Yong-sik, PakGeneral
Pak Yong-sik
박영식
(born 1950)		11 July 20154 June 20182 years, 10 months
14
Kwang-chol, NoGeneral
No Kwang-chol
노광철
(born 1956)		4 June 2018December 20191 year, 6 months
15
Jong-gwan, KimGeneral
Kim Jong-gwan
김정관		December 2019Incumbent4 months

See also

References
  1. "N.K. state media confirms appointment of new defense minister". Yonhap News Agency. 22 January 2020. Retrieved 22 January 2019.
  2. Tertitskiy, Fyodor (7 February 2018). "The unusual history of North Korea's military foundation day". NK News. Retrieved 10 February 2018.
  3. Worden, Robert L., ed. (2008). North Korea: A Country Study. Library of Congress, Federal Research Division. p. 242. ISBN 9780160814228.
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