Constitution of North Korea
Encyclopedia
The Socialist Constitution of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea is the constitution
of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea
(DPRK), commonly known as North Korea
.
Previous constitutions were adopted in 1948, 1972, 1992, and 1998. The constitution currently in force dates from April 2009 and lays out the framework of the national government
and the functions of the ruling state party, the Workers' Party of Korea
in relation to the government's operations.
The constitution establishes North Korea's official name and its status as a socialist state
. The country is defined as a "dictatorship of the people's democracy" (a wording that closely follows the Chinese
model of the people's democratic dictatorship
) under the leadership of the Workers' Party. It guarantees civil and political rights, such as freedom of expression, the right to elect
officials, the right to a fair trial
, and freedom of religion
. It asserts the right of every citizen to work, education, food, and health care.
The constitution is divided into three parts with each of them having several articles.
, President of the Korean Friendship Association
, all references to communism were not stripped from the constitution as was reported in some Western media.
The new, amended in 2009 version of DPRK Constitution is six articles longer than the previous version adopted in of 1998. Section 2 of Chapter VI “Chairman of the National Defence Commission” is entirely new. In Articles 29 and 40 (Economy and Culture respectively) the word 공산주의 (“communism”) was dropped.
Constitution
A constitution is a set of fundamental principles or established precedents according to which a state or other organization is governed. These rules together make up, i.e. constitute, what the entity is...
of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea
North Korea
The Democratic People’s Republic of Korea , , is a country in East Asia, occupying the northern half of the Korean Peninsula. Its capital and largest city is Pyongyang. The Korean Demilitarized Zone serves as the buffer zone between North Korea and South Korea...
(DPRK), commonly known as North Korea
North Korea
The Democratic People’s Republic of Korea , , is a country in East Asia, occupying the northern half of the Korean Peninsula. Its capital and largest city is Pyongyang. The Korean Demilitarized Zone serves as the buffer zone between North Korea and South Korea...
.
Previous constitutions were adopted in 1948, 1972, 1992, and 1998. The constitution currently in force dates from April 2009 and lays out the framework of the national government
Government of North Korea
The North Korean government is the executive branch of the state, according to the Constitution of North Korea. In practice, the highest decisions are made by the National Defence Commission of North Korea which is led by its Chairman Kim Jong-il....
and the functions of the ruling state party, the Workers' Party of Korea
Workers' Party of Korea
The Workers' Party of Korea is the ruling Communist party of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea , commonly known as North Korea. It is also called the Korean Workers' Party...
in relation to the government's operations.
The constitution establishes North Korea's official name and its status as a socialist state
Socialist state
A socialist state generally refers to any state constitutionally dedicated to the construction of a socialist society. It is closely related to the political strategy of "state socialism", a set of ideologies and policies that believe a socialist economy can be established through government...
. The country is defined as a "dictatorship of the people's democracy" (a wording that closely follows the Chinese
People's Republic of China
China , officially the People's Republic of China , is the most populous country in the world, with over 1.3 billion citizens. Located in East Asia, the country covers approximately 9.6 million square kilometres...
model of the people's democratic dictatorship
People's democratic dictatorship
"People's democratic dictatorship" is a phrase incorporated into the Constitution of the People's Republic of China by Mao Zedong.The premise of the "People's democratic dictatorship" is that the Communist Party of China and state represent and act on behalf of the people, but possess and may use...
) under the leadership of the Workers' Party. It guarantees civil and political rights, such as freedom of expression, the right to elect
Election
An election is a formal decision-making process by which a population chooses an individual to hold public office. Elections have been the usual mechanism by which modern representative democracy operates since the 17th century. Elections may fill offices in the legislature, sometimes in the...
officials, the right to a fair trial
Right to a fair trial
The right to fair trial is an essential right in all countries respecting the rule of law. A trial in these countries that is deemed unfair will typically be restarted, or its verdict voided....
, and freedom of religion
Freedom of religion
Freedom of religion is a principle that supports the freedom of an individual or community, in public or private, to manifest religion or belief in teaching, practice, worship, and observance; the concept is generally recognized also to include the freedom to change religion or not to follow any...
. It asserts the right of every citizen to work, education, food, and health care.
The constitution is divided into three parts with each of them having several articles.
2009 revision
According to Alejandro Cao de BenosAlejandro Cao de Benos de Les y Perez
Alejandro Cao de Benós de Les y Pérez is a communist and the president of the Korean Friendship Association and has been an advocate of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea since 1990...
, President of the Korean Friendship Association
Korean Friendship Association
The Korean Friendship Association , headed by Spanish citizen Alejandro Cao de Benos de Les y Pérez, is an organization working with the Committee for Cultural Relations with Foreign Countries of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea , as well as an organ of promotion/public relations for the...
, all references to communism were not stripped from the constitution as was reported in some Western media.
The new, amended in 2009 version of DPRK Constitution is six articles longer than the previous version adopted in of 1998. Section 2 of Chapter VI “Chairman of the National Defence Commission” is entirely new. In Articles 29 and 40 (Economy and Culture respectively) the word 공산주의 (“communism”) was dropped.
External links
- Current text of the Constitution (April 2009) in English