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The National Security Agency |
The NSA, a special organization that is not found
in the KWP Statutes or the constitution, is mainly
in charge of maintaining social and political order.
In 1973, the ‘National Political Security Agency’
was installed to specialize in political operations
formerly undertaken by the ‘Social Security Agency’,
which was under the supervision of the Cabinet.
During the 1st Congress of the 7th SPA held on April
5, 1982, social control functionaries were detached
from the Cabinet and integrated with the ‘National
Political Security Agency’, which was then renamed
the ‘Security Agency’. This organization was renamed
as ‘National Security Agency’ in 1993. Mainly in
charge of political inspection, the organization
branches out from the central government throughout
all regional administrative divisions as well as
the KPA and other special organizations. |
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Other Organizations |
Prosecution Agencies
Under the Central Prosecution Agency, there are
provincial, city, and county-level prosecution agencies.
Special prosecution agencies are also operational.
The Head of the Central Prosecution Agency is appointed
every five years by the SPA, while all prosecutors
are appointed or dismissed by the Central Prosecution
Agency.
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The
Yoduk concentration camp, the supposed
destination of numerous dissidents,
is believed to be the harshest in North
Korea. |
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Courts
Under the Central Court, there are provincial, city,
and county-level courts.
There are also special courts and people’s courts.
Judges and people’s assessors are appointed every
five years. Court proceedings are held with one
judge and two people’s assessors.
The Central Court supervises all other Courts. Because
the Central Court answers to the SPA or the SPA
Standing Committee, legal administration is not
independent from political influences.
Prosecution Agencies and Courts conduct the administration
of justice. Due to the 1998 constitutional amendments,
the authority and position of the Prosecution Agencies
were extended to dominate that of the Courts.
The Three Revolution Teams
These teams, created to pursue the ‘Three Revolutions
Movement’ stated by the 1972 Socialist Constitution,
were dispatched to production facilities at all
levels. The teams consisted of 20~50 party members,
university students, and scientists. From the 1980s
on, the teams came under the direct supervision
of Kim Jong-il and were dispatched to all institutional
schools to lead the
‘Three Revolutions Movement’.
Considering the fact that the dominant post-war
generational members from the teams were appointed
en masse as SPA members in the 6th KWP meeting in
October 1980, it seems the teams were actually created
for the purpose of supporting Kim Jong-il’s succession
to power. The Three Revolution Teams have shown
little activity following the 1990s. |
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