North Korea Reappoints Kim Jong Un as Chairman of State Affairs Commission for Third Term... 'Number Two' Role Shifts from Choe Ryonghae to Jo Yongwon

The Official Start of Kim Jong Un's Third Term

North Korea has convened the Supreme People's Assembly and reappointed North Korean leader Kim Jong Un as Chairman of the State Affairs Commission. This marks the third time he has assumed this position since he was first appointed in 2016. Although there had been speculation that Kim might take the title of "President" following last month's Party Congress, he has retained the title of Chairman of the State Affairs Commission.

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un visited the Chonseong Youth Coal Mine of the Suncheon District Youth Coal Mine Union Enterprise in South Pyongan Province on the 15th. He cast his vote for delegate candidate Jo Cholho at the polling station for Electoral District No. 48, Constituency No. 150, for the Supreme People's Assembly election, and encouraged the mine workers, according to a report by the Korean Central News Agency on the 16th. March 16, 2026, Yonhap News Agency.

On March 23, the Korean Central News Agency reported that this decision was made at the first session of the Supreme People's Assembly, which was held in Pyongyang the previous day. Kim Jong Un was first appointed as Chairman of the newly established State Affairs Commission in June 2016 and was reappointed three years later in 2019. This time, he was reappointed after seven years. This process appears to align the timing of the Party Congress, which is held every five years, with the election of the nation’s top leader.

The position of Chairman of the Standing Committee of the Supreme People's Assembly, considered the "number two" role in North Korea's power structure, has also changed. Choe Ryonghae, a senior statesman, was removed from both the list of central committee members and delegates at the 9th Party Congress, and has now stepped down as Chairman of the Standing Committee. In his place, Jo Yongwon, known as one of Kim Jong Un's closest confidants, has taken the position.

Im Eulchul, a professor at the Institute for Far Eastern Studies at Kyungnam University, analyzed, "The natural retirement of the elder generation symbolized by Choe Ryonghae, and the full-scale deployment of practical loyalists such as Jo Yongwon, signify both a generational shift and the strengthening of Kim's direct rule." He added, "With Jo Yongwon now firmly in control of both the party and state apparatus, this marks the beginning of an era of 'Kim Jong Un's proxy' and practical confidants." He further noted that, "This could be intended as a move to substantively support the Kim Ju-ae succession system."

In addition, he explained, "Under North Korea's constitution, the title of 'President' is an immortal title reserved for Kim Il Sung. By maintaining the title of Chairman of the State Affairs Commission, Kim Jong Un emphasizes his continued loyalty to his predecessor. At the same time, because he takes pride in his achievement of completing the nuclear force as 'Chairman of the State Affairs Commission,' he intends to solidify a unique leadership structure that symbolizes the 'Kim Jong Un era,' rather than reverting to a title from the past."

Meanwhile, it appears that North Korea has amended its constitution at the first session of the Supreme People's Assembly, but has not disclosed specific details. Given that phrases such as "permanently securing nuclear-armed state status" were mentioned in opening speeches, there is speculation that the latest constitutional amendment may have removed references to "unification" and clarified the nation's character as a state, thereby reflecting a policy stance of "two hostile states."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.