National Defense Commission (North Korea)
| 조선민주주의인민공화국 국방위원회 | |
| Commission overview | |
|---|---|
| Formed | 1972 |
| Dissolved | 2016 |
| Superseding Commission | |
| Jurisdiction | Government of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea |
| Commission executives |
|
| Korean name | |
| Hangul | 조선민주주의인민공화국 국방위원회 |
| Hanja | 朝鮮民主主義人民共和國國防委員會 |
| RR | Joseon minjujuui inmin gonghwaguk gukbang wiwonhoe |
| MR | Chosŏn minjujuŭi inmin konghwaguk kukpang wiwŏnhoe |
The National Defense Commission of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (NDC) was the highest state institution for military and national defense leadership in North Korea. It served as the highest governing institution of the country from 1998 until 2016 when it was replaced by the State Affairs Commission.
The National Defense Commission was established in 1972 as a body subordinate to the Central People's Committee, which was the highest state institution for policymaking in North Korea. It was separated from the Central People's Committee in 1992, and was designated as the supreme military leadership institution of state power. The Central People's Committee was dissolved in 1998, leaving the NDC to become the highest governing institution in North Korea. In 2009, the commission was further designated as the supreme national defense leadership institution of state power.
The consisted of a chairman, first vice chairman, vice chairmen and members. The chairman was the highest official in North Korea, and the office was always held by the supreme leader. The NDC was disestablished in 2016 under the leadership of Kim Jong Un, being replaced by the State Affairs Commission, with the NDC to be convened only during times of war.