8th Central Committee of the Workers' Party of Korea

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. In between party congresses and specially convened conferences the Central Committee is the highest decision-making institution in the WPK and North Korea. 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. It convenes meetings, known as "Plenary Session of the [term] Central Committee", to discuss major policies. 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. Plenary session can also be attended by non-members, such meetings are known as "Enlarged Plenary Session", to participate in the committee's discussions.

8th Central Committee
Emblem of the Workers' Party of North Korea
10 January 2021 – present (3 years, 316 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

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: 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. Election of WPK General Secretary: Kim Jong Un elected. Election of members to the Presidium of the 8th Politburo: Kim Jong-un, Choe Ryong-hae, Ri Pyong-chol, Kim Tok-hun and Jo Yong-won were elected. Election of members to the 8th Politburo: Kim Jong-un, Choe Ryong-hae, Ri Pyong-chol, Kim Tok-hun, Jo Yong-won, Pak Thae-song, Pak Jong-chon, Jong Sang-hak, 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. Election of alternate members to the 8th Politburo: Pak Thae-dok, Pak Myong-sun, Ho Chol-man, Ri Chol-man, Kim Hyong-sik, Thae Hyong-chol, Kim Yong-hwan, Pak Jong-gun, Yang Sung-ho, Jon Hyon-chol and Ri Son-gwon were elected. Election of members to the 8th Secretariat: Kim Jong-un, Jo Yong-won, Pak Thae-song, Ri Pyong-chol, Jong Sang-hak, Ri Il-hwan, Kim Tu-il and Choe Sang Gon were elected. Election of members to the 8th Central Military Commission: Kim Jong-un as Chairman and Ri Pyong-chol as Vice Chairman, and Jo Yong-won, O Il-jong, Kim Jo-guk, Kang Sun-nam, O Su-yong, Pak Jong-chon, Kwon Yong-jin, Kim Jong-gwan, Jong Kyong-thaek, Ri Yong-gil and Rim Kwang-il were elected as ordinary members. Election of members to the 8th Control Auditing Commission: Jong Sang-hak as Chairman with and Pak Thae-dok and Ri Hi Yong as vice chairmen. Ri Kyong-chol, Pak Kwang-wik, Pak Kwang-ung, Jon Thae-su, Jong In-chol, Kim Song-chol, Jang Ki-ho, Kang Yun-sok, U Sang-chol, Jang Kwang-bong, Kim Kwang-chol and O Tong-il were elected as ordinary members. Department directors were appointed by the plenum: Kim Jae-ryong, O Il-jong, Pak Thae-dok, Kim Song-nam, Ho Chol-man, Kim Hyong-sik, Pak Myong-sun, Ri Chol-man, Ri Tu-song, Kang Sun-nam, Kim Yong-chol, Kim Se-bok, Pak Jong-nam, Choe Hwi and Kim Yong-su were appointed department directors.
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. On conducting an all-out struggle against anti-socialist and non-socialist methods throughout society. On changing the compilation of the Central Committee slogans. On the document "Description of Rules of Workers' Party of Korea". On organisational matters: By-election to the 8th Politburo: Ri Son-gwon was elected. By-election of alternates to the 8th Politburo: Kim Song-nam was elected. By-election to the 8th Secretariat: O Su-yong was elected. Promotion from alternate to full membership of the 8th Central Committee: Kim Tong-il, Kim Yong-nam and Kim Chol-su were promoted. By-election of alternate members to the 8th Central Committee: Hong Hyok-chol, Ri Kyong-ho, Choe Yong-jin, Ryong Kun-chol and Jong So-chol were elected. Appointment of directors of the 8th Central Committee: O Su-yong was appointed Director of the Department of Economic Affairs.
7th Enlarged Plenary Session	26 February - 1 March 2023	4 days
8th Plenary Session	17 June 2023	1 day
9th Plenary Session	27–29 December 2023	3 days
10th Enlarged Plenary Session	28 June 2024

Department directors

Institution	Name	Took office	Left office	Tenure
Agricultural Department	Ri Chol-man	10 January 2021	Incumbent	3 years and 316 days
Cadre Department	Ho Chol-man	10 January 2021	Incumbent	3 years and 316 days
Discipline Investigation Department	Pak Thae-dok	10 January 2021	Incumbent	3 years and 316 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 284 days
Finance and Accounting Department	Kim Yong-su	10 January 2021	Incumbent	3 years and 316 days
International Department	Kim Song-nam	10 January 2021	Incumbent	3 years and 316 days
Legal Department	Kim Hyong-sik	10 January 2021	Incumbent	3 years and 316 days
Light Industry Department	Pak Myong-sun	10 January 2021	Incumbent	3 years and 316 days
Military Leadership Department	O Il-jong	10 January 2021	Incumbent	3 years and 316 days
Munitions Industry Department	Kang Sun-nam	10 January 2021	Incumbent	3 years and 316 days
Organization and Guidance Department	Kim Jae-ryong	10 January 2021	Incumbent	3 years and 316 days
United Front Department	Kim Yong-chol	10 January 2021	Incumbent	3 years and 316 days
Working Organization Department	Ri Il-hwan	10 January 2021	Incumbent	3 years and 316 days
Unknown	Choe Hwi	10 January 2021	Incumbent	3 years and 316 days
	Kim Se-bok
	Pak Jong-nam
	Ri Tu-song

Members

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 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	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 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	Kim Song-nam	Central Director of the International Department	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 Minister of Chemical Industry	New	—	—	—	—	—
47	Thae Hyong-chol	Central Vice President of the Presidium of the Supreme People's Assembly	Old	—	Alternate	—	—	—
48	Ko Kil-son	—	New	—	—	—	—	—
49	O Tong-il	—	New	—	—	—	—	Member
50	Yang Sung-ho	—	Old	—	Alternate	—	—	—
51	O Su-yong	Central Director of the Department of Economic Affairs Chairman of the Budget Committee of the Supreme People's Assembly	Old	—	Member	—	Member	—
52	Kim Yong-hwan	—	New	—	Alternate	—	—	—
53	Kim Tu-il	Central Director of the Department of Economic Affairs	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 Vice Premier of the Cabinet	Old	—	—	—	—	—
71	Ri Song-hak	Central Vice Premier of the Cabinet	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 Vice Premier of the Cabinet Chairman of the State Planning Commission	Alternate	—	Alternate	—	—	—
79	Jang Chun-song	Central Minister of Railways	New	—	—	—	—	—
80	Kim Song-ryong	Central Vice Premier of the Cabinet	New	—	—	—	—	—
81	Kim Yu-il	Central Minister of Electric Power Industry	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 Secretary-General of the Cabinet of North Korea	Old	—	—	—	—	—
95	Ju Chol-gyu	Central Vice Premier of the Cabinet Minister of Agriculture	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 President of the Kim Il Sung University Minister of Higher Education under the Education Commission	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

Rank	Name Hangul	Level of government	7th CC
1	Kim Tong-il	—	Old
2	Ri Song-bong	—	New
3	Ji Myong-jun	—	New
4	Ri Kye-pong	—	New
5	Ri Ryong-nam	—	Old
6	Kim Chol-su	Central Minister of Mining Industry	Old
7	Han Ryong-guk	—	Old
8	Wang Chang-uk	—	Old
9	Ri Tam	—	New
10	Kang Chol-gu	—	New
11	Kim Il-guk	—	New
12	Chae Song-hak	Central President of the Central Bank of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea	New
13	Ri Chol-san	Central Director of the Central Bureau of Statistics	New
14	Choe Son-hui	—	New
15	Jo Yong-dok	—	Old
16	Ri Chan-hwa	—	Old
17	Kim Ki-ryong	—	Old
18	So Ho-won	—	New
19	Yun Jong-ho	Central Minister of External Economic Relations	New
20	Im Kyong-jae	Central Minister of Urban Management	New
21	Ju Yong-il	Central Minister of Posts and Telecommunications	New
22	Pak Hyok-chol	Central Minister of Commerce	New
23	Ri Hyok-gwon	Central Minister of State Construction Control	New
24	Jang Kyong-il	Central Minister of Light Industry	New
25	Jin Kum-song	Central Minister of Labour	New
26	Kim Chung-song	Central Minister of Natural Resources Development	New
27	Choe Kyong-chol	Central Minister of Health	New
28	Nam Chol-gwang	—	New
29	Ko Jong-bom	Central Minister of Finance	New
30	So Jong-jin	Central Minister of Construction and Building-Materials Industry	New
31	Kim Yong-sik	—	New
32	Sim Sung-gon	—	New
33	Kang Kwon-il	—	New
34	Sung Jong-gyu	Central Minister of Culture	New
35	Pak Chol-min	—	New
36	Jang Chun-sil	—	New
37	Pak In-chol	—	New
38	Han Jong-hyok	—	New
39	Sin Hong-chol	—	Old
40	Ri Song-ryol	—	New
41	Choe Hui-tae	—	New
42	Kang Hyong-bong	—	Old
43	Kim Yong-chol	—	Old
44	Ri Hyong-gun	—	Old
45	Pak Man-ho	—	New
46	Ri Song-guk	—	New
47	Sin Chang-il	—	New
48	O Kyong-ryong	—	New
49	Kye Myong-chol	—	New
50	Pak Myong-son	—	New
51	Pak Jong-ho	—	New
52	Kim Yong-nam	—	Old
53	Jo Jun-mo	—	New
54	Ri Sung-ho	—	Old
55	Choe Myong-su	—	New
56	Sin Myong-son	—	New
57	Kim Jin-yong	—	New
58	Ri Hang-gol	—	New
59	Han Man-hung	—	New
60	Yang Myong-chol	—	New
61	Kim Kwang-bok	—	New
62	Song Sung-chol	—	New
63	O Chun-yong	—	Old
64	Ham Se-jin	—	Old
65	Kim Hyon-il	—	New
66	Ok Yong-su	—	New
67	Ri Jong-gil	—	Old
68	Ri Chang-gil	—	Old
69	Choe Song-nam	—	Old
70	An Pok-man	—	New
71	Choe Jang-il	—	New
72	Ko Myong-chol	—	New
73	Jang Kyong-chol	—	Old
74	Han Yong-su	—	New
75	Kim Son-uk	—	Old
76	Choe Sung-ryong	—	New
77	Ro Ik	—	New
78	Jong Yon-hak	—	New
79	Choe Rak-hyon	—	New
80	So Won-gil	—	New
81	Kim Yong-chol	—	New
82	Ham Nam-hyok	—	New
83	Han Song-nam	—	Old
84	Kim Kwang-yong	—	New
85	Myong Song-chol	—	Old
86	Hong Man-ho	—	Old
87	Thae Jin-hyok	—	New
88	Ri Kyong-il	—	New
89	Kim Myong-hyok	—	New
90	Kim Hyong-bom	—	New
91	Kim Yong-gu	—	Old
92	Kim Su-nam	—	New
93	Ri Song-do	—	Old
94	O Kum-chol	—	Old
95	Mun Jong-ung	—	Old
96	Choe Kyong-chol	—	New
97	Kang Son	—	Old
98	Kim Kwang-uk	—	New
99	Ho Kwang-il	—	Old
100	Pak Ji-min	—	New
101	Kim Jong-chol	—	New
102	Ri Min-chol	—	Old
103	Min Hui-bok	—	New
104	Ri Kyong-chon	—	New
105	Ko Myong-su	—	New
106	Kim Hak-chol	—	Old
107	Kim Ju-sam	—	New
108	Kim Chun-gyo	—	New
109	Kim Yong-ho	—	New
110	Rim Kwang-ung	—	New
111	Kim Pok-nam	—	New

Changes (2021–26)

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

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 15 January 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.