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The NDC (National Defense Commission)
is the highest de facto political/administrative
body in North Korea. The 1998 constitutional amendments
have conferred upon it not only the supreme command
over all North Korea armed forces, but also the
authority to manage overall national security. Therefore,
the NDC performs administrative as well as national
defense functions. “The chairmanship of the NDC
is a position of the utmost importance and responsibility.
The Chairman of the NDC must combine all of North
Korea's political, military, and economic resources
to the ends of protecting the nation and its socialist
system. The position is a hallowed one, representing
the glory of the fatherland and symbolizing the
dignity of the People.” (September 5, 1998 from
a speech by Kim Young-nam, during the 1st meeting
of the 10th SPA) The preceding quote adequately
expresses the position and role of the NDC Chairman.
The founding logic behind North Korea’s ‘military
first’ system as well as the system of absolute
one-man rule under Kim Jong-il can be detected here. |
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| An
office of unchallenged power, the NDC
Chairman has control over political,
legislative, judicial, military, and
economic affairs. |
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| Mission and Authority
of the NDC |
 Directing
projects for military fortification and the enhancement
of national security
Installing
or dismounting central national defense organizations
and bodies
Appointing
or dismissing key military officers
Creating
military titles and conferring them on generals
or higher-ranking officers
Promulgating
state of war and mobilization orders
The NDC directs and supervises national defense
affairs, on which it must answer to the SPA. |
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