DPRK Constitution 2026

Preamble & Chapter 1: Politics

Preamble

The Democratic People’s Republic of Korea is a socialist state centered on the masses of the people, which represents the interests of the Korean people and fights for the cause of socialism.

The Democratic People’s Republic of Korea regards the great Kim Il Sung–Kim Jong Ilism as the sole guiding ideology for state building and state activities, and sets the Kim Il Sung–Kim Jong Ilism–ization of the entire society as the overall direction and ultimate goal of state construction.

The Democratic People’s Republic of Korea firmly upholds, preserves, and continuously carries forward the shining traditions achieved in the glorious revolutionary struggle for the liberation of the Fatherland and for the freedom and happiness of the people.

The Democratic People’s Republic of Korea establishes the unitary leadership system of the Leader, upholds the independent revolutionary line, and thoroughly embodies the principle of people‑first politics as the fundamental principles of state construction and activity.

The Democratic People’s Republic of Korea organizes and conducts all state affairs in accordance with the ideas and intentions of the Leader, firmly defends and preserves the Leader’s ideas and achievements in state building, and endlessly glorifies them.

The Democratic People’s Republic of Korea establishes an independent stance in state construction and activities, and develops all fields of social life in its own style and through its own efforts.

The Democratic People’s Republic of Korea places the demands and interests of the people above all else and regards the promotion of the people’s wellbeing as the supreme principle of its activities.

The Democratic People’s Republic of Korea strengthens the people’s government and enhances its functions and role, while firmly holding fast to the general line of socialist construction—the thorough execution of the great revolution in ideology, technology, and culture.

 

Chapter 1: Politics

Article 1

The official name of the state is the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea.

Article 2

The territory of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea consists of the land, territorial waters, and airspace defined on the basis of territory bordering the People’s Republic of China and the Russian Federation to the north, and the Republic of Korea to the south.

The Democratic People’s Republic of Korea shall never permit any encroachment upon its territory.

Article 3

Citizens of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea are persons who hold the nationality of the DPRK.

Citizens shall receive the protection of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea regardless of their place of residence or stay.

Article 4

Sovereignty in the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea belongs to the working people, including workers, peasants, soldiers, and intellectuals.

The working people exercise state power through their representative bodies: the Supreme People’s Assembly and local people’s assemblies at all levels.

Article 5

All state organs in the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea are organized and operate in accordance with the principle of democratic centralism.

Article 6

From the Supreme People’s Assembly down to local people’s assemblies, all organs of state power are elected by universal, equal, and direct suffrage through secret ballot.

Article 7

Deputies to all organs of state power maintain close relations with voters and are accountable to them for their work.

Deputies who lose the confidence of their voters may be recalled at any time.

Article 8

The social system of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea is a people‑centered social system in which the working masses are masters of everything and everything in society serves the working masses.

The state defends the interests of workers, peasants, soldiers, and intellectuals, respects and protects human rights.

Article 9

The Democratic People’s Republic of Korea conducts all activities under the leadership of the Workers’ Party of Korea.

Article 10

The Democratic People’s Republic of Korea relies on the political and ideological unity of the entire people firmly united around the Workers’ Party of Korea.

The state strengthens ideological revolution to revolutionize and working‑class‑ize all members of society, forging the whole of society into a single collective bound together by comradeship.

Article 11

The state vigorously conducts revolutionary mass movements and patriotic campaigns, including the Campaign to Win the Three Revolutions Red Flag, in order to accelerate socialist construction to the maximum extent.

Article 12

The Democratic People’s Republic of Korea protects the democratic national rights, as well as the legitimate rights and interests recognized under international law, of Koreans residing overseas.

Article 13

The Democratic People’s Republic of Korea guarantees the legitimate rights and interests of foreign nationals within its territory.

Article 14

The Democratic People’s Republic of Korea establishes state‑level political, economic, and cultural relations with all countries that are friendly toward it, on the principles of complete equality, independence, mutual respect, non‑interference in internal affairs, and mutual benefit.

The state stands in solidarity with the peoples of the world who aspire to independence and justice, opposes all forms of aggression and interference in internal affairs, and actively supports struggles of peoples in all countries for national sovereignty and liberation.

Article 15

The laws of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea reflect the will and interests of the working people and constitute the basic instrument of state administration.

Respect for the law and its strict observance and enforcement are mandatory obligations for all institutions, enterprises, organizations, and citizens.

 

Chapter 2: Economy

Article 16

The Democratic People’s Republic of Korea is based on socialist relations of production and the foundations of an independent national economy.

Article 17

In the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, the means of production are owned by the state and by social cooperative organizations.

Article 18

State ownership is the ownership of the entire people.

There is no restriction on the objects of state ownership.

All natural resources of the country, railways, aviation and maritime transport, communications institutions, major factories and enterprises, ports, banks, and other objects that constitute the backbone of the national economy are owned exclusively by the state.

The state gives priority to protecting and developing state ownership, which plays the leading role in the country’s economic development.

Article 19

Social cooperative ownership is the collective ownership of the working people who belong to the respective cooperative organizations.

Land, agricultural machinery, vessels, and small‑ and medium‑scale factories and enterprises may be owned by social cooperative organizations.

The state protects social cooperative ownership.

Article 20

The state raises the ideological consciousness and technical and cultural level of farmers and, in a direction that enhances the guiding role of all‑people’s ownership over cooperative ownership, organically combines the two forms of ownership.

The state improves guidance and management of cooperative economy, consolidates and develops the socialist cooperative system, and—according to the voluntary will of all members—gradually transforms cooperative ownership into all‑people’s ownership.

Article 21

Personal ownership is ownership for citizens’ personal and consumer purposes.

Personal ownership is derived from socialist distribution based on labor and from additional benefits granted by the state and society.

Income legally obtained by individuals also belongs to personal ownership.

The state protects personal ownership and legally guarantees the right of inheritance.

Article 22

The Democratic People’s Republic of Korea regards the continuous improvement of the people’s material and cultural living standards as the supreme principle of its activities.

The growing material wealth of society shall be devoted entirely to enhancing the welfare of the working people.

The state strives to provide the people with affluent and civilized living conditions.

Article 23

The independently structured national economy established in the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea is a firm foundation for the happy life of the people and the prosperity and development of the Fatherland.

The state firmly adheres to the line of building an independent national economy and accelerates the self‑reliant, modernized, information‑based, and scientific development of the people’s economy, striving to construct a highly developed, Juche‑oriented socialist economy and to build the material and technical foundations appropriate to a fully victorious socialist society.

Article 24

The technical revolution is the fundamental link for developing the socialist economy, and scientific and technological capability is the state’s most important strategic resource.

The state elevates the leading role of science and technology in all economic activities, integrates science and production, and vigorously conducts mass technical innovation movements to accelerate economic construction.

Article 25

The state accelerates the rural technical revolution in order to eliminate the differences between urban and rural areas and between the working class and the peasantry, modernizing and industrializing agriculture.

The state strengthens guidance and assistance to rural areas and expands state guarantees and support, reinforcing agriculture’s material and technical foundations and providing rural residents with excellent living environments.

Article 26

The state promotes independent and diversified development of cities and counties, transforming all of them into strategic strongholds of a civilized and prosperous socialist powerhouse and into developed regions with their own distinctive characteristics.

Article 27

Socialism is built through the patriotic enthusiasm and creative labor of the working masses.

Labor in the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea is independent and creative labor by working people.

The state ensures that labor is carried out with conscious enthusiasm and creativity for society, the collective, and oneself, making work more enjoyable and worthwhile.

Article 28

The daily working time for working people is 8 hours.

Depending on the intensity and special conditions of labor, the state may set shorter working hours.

The state properly organizes labor and strengthens labor discipline to ensure full utilization of working time.

Article 29

The minimum working age for citizens in the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea is 17.

The state prohibits labor by juveniles who have not reached working age.

Article 30

In guiding and managing the socialist economy, the state firmly maintains the principles of correctly combining political guidance and economic‑technical guidance, unified state guidance and the creative initiative of individual units, unified command and democracy, and moral‑political incentives with material incentives, while ensuring practical results.

Article 31

The state manages and operates the economy in a scientific and rational manner relying on the collective wisdom and strength of the producer masses, and decisively strengthens the role of the Cabinet.

The state implements the socialist enterprise responsibility management system and makes proper use of economic levers such as costs, prices, and profitability.

Article 32

The people’s economy of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea is a planned economy.

In accordance with the laws of socialist economic development, the state correctly balances accumulation and consumption, formulates and executes national economic development plans that accelerate economic construction, steadily improve people’s living standards, and strengthen national defense.

The state ensures high growth rates and balanced development of the people’s economy by implementing unified and detailed planning.

Article 33

In accordance with the national economic development plan, the state compiles and executes the state budget.

The state strengthens struggles for increased production and economization, strictly enforces fiscal control, systematically expands state accumulation, and develops socialist ownership.

Article 34

In the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, foreign trade is conducted by state institutions, enterprises, and social cooperative organizations.

The state observes credit in foreign trade, improves trade structures, and expands external economic relations on the principles of equality and mutual benefit.

Article 35

The state encourages the establishment and operation of joint ventures and cooperative enterprises between DPRK institutions, enterprises, and organizations and foreign corporations or individuals, as well as various enterprises in special economic zones.

Article 36

In order to protect the independent national economy, the state implements a tariff policy.

 

Chapter 3: Culture

Article 37

The socialist culture developing in the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea serves to enhance the creative abilities of working people and to satisfy their sound cultural and emotional needs.

Article 38

The Democratic People’s Republic of Korea thoroughly carries out the cultural revolution, transforming all people into socialist builders who possess deep knowledge of nature and society and a high level of culture and technology, while accelerating the conversion of the entire population into scientific and technical talent.

Article 39

The Democratic People’s Republic of Korea builds a genuinely popular, revolutionary culture that serves socialist working people.

In developing socialist national culture, the state rejects imperialist cultural infiltration, protects national cultural heritage in accordance with the principles of Juche orientation, historicism, and scientific rigor, and carries it forward and develops it in line with socialist realities.

Article 40

The state establishes Juche in scientific research, actively accepts advanced science and technology, increases state investment in scientific research sectors, pioneers new scientific and technological fields, and elevates national science and technology to a world‑class level.

Article 41

The state properly formulates and thoroughly executes plans for scientific and technological development, and strengthens creative cooperation among scientists, technicians, and producers.

Article 42

The state implements the principles of socialist pedagogy and educates the younger generation to become genuine patriots who struggle for society, the collective, the Fatherland, and the people, nurturing them into capable builders of socialism with well‑rounded moral, intellectual, and physical qualities.

Article 43

The state prioritizes people’s education and the training of national cadres above all other endeavors.

The state closely integrates general education with technical education, education with productive labor, improves the structure, content, and methods of education, and develops education into the most superior and ideal system in which the future of the country can be safely entrusted.

Article 44

The state develops universal compulsory education, including one year of preschool mandatory education, into a comprehensive 12‑year compulsory education system, raising its level in line with modern scientific and technological trends and the requirements of socialist construction.

Article 45

The state develops specialized education systems dedicated exclusively to study as well as various forms of education that combine work and study, continuously improves educational conditions and environments, and trains competent scientific and technical personnel.

Article 46

The state provides free education for all students, grants scholarships to university students, and expands and strengthens socialist measures for the benefit of the younger generation.

 

Articles 47–51 (Social Culture & Welfare)

 

Article 47

The state strengthens social education and guarantees all conditions necessary for all working people to pursue learning.

Article 48

The state raises preschool children in nurseries and kindergartens at the expense of the state and society.

Article 49

The state consolidates and develops the socialist public health system, improves the quality of medical services, strengthens the material and technical foundations of the health sector, protects people’s lives, and promotes the health of working people.

Article 50

The state develops Juche‑oriented, revolutionary literature and art with socialist content expressed in national forms.

The state encourages writers and artists to create many works with high ideological and artistic merit and enables the broad masses to widely participate in artistic and cultural activities.

Article 51

In accordance with people’s demands for continuous spiritual and physical development, the state fully equips modern cultural facilities so that all working people may fully enjoy socialist cultural and emotional life.

 

Articles 52–55 (Lifestyle, Language, Environment)

 

Article 52

The state popularizes and integrates physical culture into everyday life, thoroughly prepares the entire population for labor and national defense, and develops physical education technology in line with national conditions and modern trends.

Article 53

The state creates and develops a revolutionary and noble socialist way of life and strengthens the struggle against phenomena that run counter to socialist living norms.

Article 54

The state ensures that all members of society maintain Juche orientation and national character in language use, protects Pyongyang Cultural Language, and actively promotes its use.

Article 55

The state establishes environmental protection measures prior to production, preserves and improves the natural environment, prevents environmental pollution, and provides people with culturally hygienic living environments and working conditions.

 

Chapter 4: National Defense

 

Article 56

The Democratic People’s Republic of Korea bases its national defense on an all‑people, all‑state defense system.

The Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, as a responsible nuclear‑weapon state, develops nuclear weapons to guarantee the state’s right to existence and development, deter war, and safeguard peace and stability in the region and the world.

Article 57

The mission of the armed forces of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea is to defend state sovereignty, territorial integrity, and the rights and interests of the people, to protect the socialist system and the gains of the revolution from all threats, and to firmly ensure the peace and prosperity of the Fatherland through powerful military strength.

Article 58

On the foundation of politically and ideologically arming the people and the soldiers of the People’s Army, the state implements a self‑defensive military line whose basic content is:

• turning the entire army into a cadre‑army,
• modernizing the entire army,
• arming the entire people,
• fortifying the entire country as a fortress.

Article 59

The state establishes a revolutionary command system and military ethos within the army, strengthens military and mass discipline, and actively promotes the noble traditional traits of unity between officers and soldiers, unity between military and political work, and unity between the army and the people.

Article 60

The state develops defense science and technology and continuously raises the Juche‑oriented, modern, and scientific level of the defense industry.

Article 61

The state instills a military‑first climate throughout society and ensures that preparations for all‑people resistance are thoroughly maintained.

 

Chapter 5: Citizens’ Fundamental Rights and Duties

 

Article 62

In the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, citizens’ rights and duties are based on the collectivist principle:
“One for all, and all for one.”

Article 63

The state substantially guarantees all citizens genuine democratic rights and freedoms and a happy material and cultural life.

As the socialist system is consolidated and developed, citizens’ rights and freedoms are further expanded.

Article 64

All citizens enjoy equal rights in all spheres of state and social life.

Article 65

All citizens aged 18 and over, regardless of sex, ethnicity, occupation, length of residence, property status, level of education, party affiliation, political views, or religious belief, have the right to vote and to be elected.

Citizens serving in the armed forces also have the right to vote and to be elected.

Persons who have been deprived of electoral rights by a court decision, and persons with mental disabilities, do not have the right to vote or to be elected.

Article 66

Citizens have freedom of speech, publication, assembly, demonstration, and association.

The state guarantees conditions for the free activities of democratic political parties and social organizations.

Article 67

Citizens have freedom of religion.

This right is guaranteed through permission to build religious facilities and conduct religious ceremonies.

Religion must not be used to draw in foreign forces or to undermine the state or social order.

Article 68

Citizens have the right to submit complaints and petitions.

The state shall fairly examine and handle complaints and petitions in accordance with the law.

Article 69

Citizens have the right to work.

All citizens capable of working select occupations according to their wishes and abilities and are guaranteed stable employment and working conditions.

Citizens work according to their abilities and receive remuneration according to the quantity and quality of their labor.

Article 70

Citizens have the right to rest.

This right is guaranteed through regulated working hours, holidays, paid leave, recuperation systems, and a variety of cultural facilities.

Article 71

Citizens have the right to medical treatment.

Citizens who are elderly, ill, or physically disabled and unable to work, as well as elderly persons and children without caregivers, have the right to receive material assistance.

This right is guaranteed through expanding modern medical facilities and state‑run social insurance and social security systems.

Article 72

Citizens have the right to education.

This right is guaranteed through an advanced educational system and people‑oriented state educational policies.

Article 73

Citizens have freedom in scientific research and literary and artistic activities.

The state gives preferential treatment to citizens who contribute to the development of science and literature and the arts.

The state legally protects citizens’ intellectual property rights.

Article 74

Citizens have freedom of residence and travel.

Article 75

The following persons receive special protection from the state and society:

• Heroes,
• War veterans,
• Persons with distinguished wartime service,
• Honored disabled soldiers,
• Families of revolutionary martyrs,
• Families of patriotic martyrs,
• Families of overseas military‑operation martyrs,
• Socialist patriotic contributors,
• Discharged generals and officers,
• Families of People’s Army personnel in the rear.

Article 76

Women enjoy the same social status and rights as men.

The state provides special protection for mothers and children through guarantees such as prenatal and postnatal leave, preferential treatment for mothers with multiple children, expansion of maternity hospitals, nurseries, and kindergartens, and other measures.

The state ensures all conditions for women’s participation in society.

Article 77

Marriage and the family are protected by the state.

The state pays deep attention to strengthening the family, the basic unit of social life.

Article 78

Citizens are guaranteed the inviolability of person and home, and the secrecy of correspondence.

No one may be detained or arrested, and no home may be searched, without legal grounds.

Article 79

The Democratic People’s Republic of Korea protects foreigners who have sought asylum in the DPRK after fighting for peace, democracy, national independence, socialism, or freedom of scientific and cultural activities.

Article 80

Citizens must firmly safeguard political‑ideological unity and solidarity of the people.

Citizens must value organizations and collectives and display a spirit of devoted service to society and the people.

Article 81

Citizens must observe the state’s laws and socialist norms of life and uphold the honor and dignity of being citizens of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea.

Article 82

Labor is the sacred duty and honor of citizens.

Citizens must participate conscientiously and sincerely in labor and strictly observe labor discipline and working hours.

Article 83

Citizens must cherish and protect state property and social cooperative property, fight against corruption, embezzlement, and waste, and manage the national economy responsibly as masters.

State property and social cooperative property are sacred and inviolable.

Article 84

Citizens must always heighten revolutionary vigilance and struggle devotedly for the security of the state.

Article 85

Defense of the Fatherland is the supreme duty and honor of citizens.

Citizens must defend the Fatherland and serve in the military in accordance with the law.

 

Chapter 6: State Institutions

 

Section 1 — Chairman of the State Affairs Commission

Article 86

The Chairman of the State Affairs Commission of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea is the Head of State representing the DPRK.

Article 87

The Chairman of the State Affairs Commission is elected by the Supreme People’s Assembly in accordance with the unanimous will of all the Korean people.

The Chairman of the State Affairs Commission is not elected as a deputy to the Supreme People’s Assembly.

Article 88

The term of office of the Chairman of the State Affairs Commission is the same as the term of the Supreme People’s Assembly.

Article 89

The Chairman of the State Affairs Commission serves as the Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea and commands and directs all the armed forces of the state.

Command authority over the state nuclear forces belongs to the Chairman of the State Affairs Commission.

The Chairman of the State Affairs Commission may delegate authority over the use of nuclear weapons to a state nuclear command body.

Article 90

The Chairman of the State Affairs Commission exercises the following powers:

1. Directs overall state affairs.
2. During recess of the Supreme People’s Assembly, suspends, appoints, or dismisses major state officials, including the President of the SPA Presidium and the Premier of the Cabinet.
3. Removes deputies to the Supreme People’s Assembly who have lost the confidence of the people.
4. Exercises veto power over laws, decrees, decisions, and directives adopted by the Supreme People’s Assembly or its Presidium when they do not conform to the development of the state and the demands of the people.
5. Confers state decorations on persons who have rendered distinguished services.
6. Receives credentials of foreign diplomatic representatives.
7. Appoints or recalls diplomatic representatives to other states.
8. Ratifies or abrogates important treaties concluded with other countries.
9. Exercises the right of granting special pardons.
10. 10.Proclaims a state of emergency, state of war, or general mobilization.
11. Organizes and directs the National Defense Committee during wartime.

Article 91

The Chairman of the State Affairs Commission issues orders and decrees.

Section 2 — Supreme People’s Assembly (SPA)

Article 92

The Supreme People’s Assembly is the highest organ of state power of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea.

Article 93

The Supreme People’s Assembly exercises legislative authority.

During recess, the Presidium of the Supreme People’s Assembly may also exercise legislative authority.

Article 94

The Supreme People’s Assembly is composed of deputies elected by universal, equal, and direct suffrage through a secret ballot.

Article 95

The term of the Supreme People’s Assembly is five years.

Elections for a new Assembly are held before the term expires, as decided by the SPA Presidium.

If elections cannot be held due to unavoidable circumstances, the term may be extended until elections can take place.

Article 96

The Supreme People’s Assembly exercises the following powers:

1. Adopts, amends, or supplements the Constitution.
2. Enacts, amends, or supplements sector‑specific laws.
3. Approves important sectoral laws adopted by the SPA Presidium during recess.
4. Establishes the fundamental principles of domestic and foreign policy.
5. Elects the Chairman of the State Affairs Commission.
6. Elects or recalls Vice‑Chairmen and members of the State Affairs Commission upon proposal by its Chairman.
7. Elects or recalls the President and Vice‑Presidents of the SPA.
8. Elects or recalls the Chairman, Secretary‑General, and members of the SPA Presidium.
9. Elects or recalls the Premier of the Cabinet.
10. 10.Appoints or dismisses Cabinet members upon proposal by the Premier.
11. Appoints or dismisses the Chief Prosecutor.
12. 12.Elects or recalls the Chief Justice.
13. 13.Elects or recalls chairpersons and members of SPA sector committees.
14. 14.Reviews and approves the national economic development plan and its implementation.
15. 15.Reviews and approves the state budget and its execution.

Articles 97–101 (Sessions & Procedures)

• Article 97: The SPA holds regular and extraordinary sessions.
• Article 98: A quorum requires attendance of at least two‑thirds of all deputies.
• Article 99: Sessions are presided over by the Speaker or, in his or her absence, a Vice‑Speaker.
• Article 100: Agenda items may be submitted by the Chairman of the State Affairs Commission, the SAC, the SPA Presidium, the Cabinet, SPA committees, or by deputies themselves.
• Article 101: SPA laws and decisions are adopted by a majority of deputies present; constitutional amendments require approval by at least two‑thirds of all deputies.

 

Section 3 — State Affairs Commission (SAC)

 

Article 104

The State Affairs Commission is the highest policy‑oriented leadership body of state sovereignty.

Article 105

The State Affairs Commission consists of a Chairman, Vice‑Chairmen, and members.

Article 106

The term of the State Affairs Commission is the same as that of the Supreme People’s Assembly.

Article 107

The State Affairs Commission exercises the following powers:

1. Deliberates and decides important state policies.
2. Supervises the execution of orders and decrees of the Chairman and decisions and directives of the Commission.
3. Abrogates decisions and directives of state organs that contradict SAC decisions or directives.
4. During SPA recess, appoints or dismisses key Cabinet members upon proposal by the Premier.

Article 108

The State Affairs Commission issues decisions and directives.

 

Section 4 — Presidium of the Supreme People’s Assembly

Article 109

The Presidium of the Supreme People’s Assembly (SPA) is the highest organ of state power during the recess of the SPA.

Article 110

The SPA Presidium consists of a President (Chairman), Vice‑Presidents, a Secretary‑General, and members.

The Speaker and Vice‑Speakers of the SPA concurrently serve as the President and Vice‑Presidents of the SPA Presidium.

 

Article 111

The term of the SPA Presidium is the same as that of the SPA.

After the SPA’s term expires, the Presidium continues to perform its duties until a new Presidium is elected.

 

Article 112

The SPA Presidium exercises the following powers:

1. Convenes sessions of the SPA.
2. During SPA recess, deliberates and adopts new sectoral laws and amendments; important laws adopted are submitted to the next SPA for approval.
3. When unavoidable circumstances arise during recess, deliberates and approves the national economic development plan, the state budget, and adjustment plans.
4. Interprets the Constitution and existing sectoral laws and regulations.
5. Supervises compliance with laws by state organs and takes corrective measures.
6. Annuls decisions or directives of state organs that contradict the Constitution, laws, orders and decrees of the Chairman of the State Affairs Commission (SAC), SPA laws and decisions, SAC decisions and directives, or Presidium decrees and decisions; suspends erroneous execution of decisions by local people’s assemblies.
7. Organizes SPA deputy elections and local people’s assembly elections.
8. Conducts work with SPA deputies.
9. Coordinates work with SPA committees.
10. 10.During SPA recess, establishes or abolishes Cabinet commissions or ministries.
11. During SPA recess, elects or recalls SPA Vice‑Speakers, the Presidium Secretary‑General and members, and appoints or dismisses members of SPA committees.
12. 12.Elects or recalls judges and people’s assessors of the Supreme Court.
13. 13.Decides ratification or abrogation of treaties submitted during SPA recess.
14. 14.Guides the sovereignty‑related work of local people’s committees.
15. 15.Establishes orders, medals, honorary titles, and diplomatic ranks; confers them.
16. 16.Exercises the right to appoint ambassadors.
17. 17.Establishes or changes administrative units and administrative districts.
18. 18.Conducts external parliamentary work, including relations with foreign parliaments and international parliamentary organizations.

Article 113

The SPA Presidium holds plenary meetings and executive meetings.

Matters of major importance are deliberated at plenary meetings; other matters are handled at executive meetings.

Article 114

The SPA Presidium issues decrees, decisions, and directives.

Article 115

The SPA Presidium may establish non‑standing committees to assist its work.

Article 116

The SPA Presidium is accountable to the SPA for its work.

 

Section 5 — Cabinet

 

Article 117

The Cabinet is the administrative and executive organ of state power and the overall state management body.

Article 118

The Cabinet is composed of a Premier, Vice‑Premiers, Chairpersons, and other necessary members.

The term of the Cabinet is the same as that of the SPA.

Article 119

The Cabinet exercises the following powers:

1. Formulates measures to implement state policies.
2. Enacts or amends regulations related to state administration in accordance with the Constitution and laws.
3. Directs the work of Cabinet commissions, ministries, Cabinet‑affiliated organs, and local people’s assemblies.
4. Establishes or abolishes key administrative and economic organs and enterprises, and improves state administrative structures.
5. Drafts the national economic development plan and measures for its implementation.
6. Compiles the state budget and measures for its execution.
7. Organizes and executes work across sectors including industry, agriculture, construction, transport, communications, commerce, trade, land administration, urban management, education, science, culture, public health, sports, labor administration, environmental protection, tourism, and others.
8. Takes measures to consolidate the currency and banking systems.
9. Conducts inspection and control to establish state administrative order.
10. 10.Takes measures to maintain social order and protect state and cooperative property, interests, and citizens’ rights.
11. Concludes treaties with other states and conducts foreign affairs.
12. 12.Annuls decisions or directives of administrative‑economic bodies that contradict Cabinet decisions, administrative orders, or directives.

Article 120

The Premier organizes and directs Cabinet work and represents the Government of the DPRK.

Article 121

The Cabinet holds plenary meetings and executive meetings.

Plenary meetings consist of all Cabinet members; executive meetings consist of the Premier, Vice‑Premiers, and Cabinet members designated by the Premier.

Article 122

The Cabinet issues decisions, administrative orders, and directives.

Article 123

The Cabinet may establish non‑standing sectoral committees to assist its work.

Article 124

The Cabinet is accountable to the SPA and, during SPA recess, to the SPA Presidium.

Article 125

After election, the new Premier takes an oath before the SPA on behalf of the Cabinet.

Article 126

Cabinet commissions and ministries are sector‑specific executive bodies and central administrative organs of the state.

Article 127

Cabinet commissions and ministries operate under Cabinet guidance and exercise unified control and management of their respective sectors.

Article 128

Cabinet commissions and ministries operate committee meetings and cadres’ meetings to deliberate implementation of Cabinet decisions and administrative orders, and other major issues.

Article 129

Cabinet commissions, ministries, and Cabinet‑affiliated organs that perform sectoral management functions issue directives.

 

Section 6 — Local People’s Assemblies

 

Article 130

Provincial, directly governed city, city, district, and county people’s assemblies are local organs of state power.

Article 131

Local people’s assemblies are composed of deputies elected by universal, equal, and direct suffrage through a secret ballot.

Article 132

The term of provincial, directly governed city, city, district, and county people’s assemblies is four years.

Elections for a new local people’s assembly are held before the term expires, by decision of the corresponding local people’s committee.

If elections cannot be held due to unavoidable circumstances, the term may be extended until elections can take place.

Article 133

Local people’s assemblies exercise the following powers:

1. Review and approve reports on local economic development plans and their implementation.
2. Review and approve reports on local budgets and their execution.
3. Adopt measures for implementing state laws within the locality.
4. Elect or recall the chairperson, vice‑chairpersons, secretary, and members of the corresponding local people’s committee.

Article 134

Local people’s assemblies hold regular sessions and extraordinary sessions.

Regular sessions are convened by the corresponding local people’s committee once or twice a year.

Extraordinary sessions are convened when the local people’s committee deems it necessary or at the request of one‑third or more of all deputies.

Article 135

A local people’s assembly session is valid when at least two‑thirds of all deputies are present.

Article 136

Local people’s assemblies elect a speaker and a deputy speaker.

The speaker presides over sessions; when absent, the deputy speaker presides.

Article 137

Local people’s assemblies issue decisions.

 

Section 7 — Local People’s Committees

 

Article 138

Provincial, directly governed city, city, district, and county people’s committees are local organs of state power during the recess of the corresponding local people’s assembly and are the administrative and executive organs of local state power.

Article 139

Local people’s committees consist of a chairperson, vice‑chairpersons, a secretary, and members.

The term of a local people’s committee is the same as that of the corresponding local people’s assembly.

Article 140

Local people’s committees exercise the following powers:

1. Convene sessions of the local people’s assembly.
2. Conduct work related to elections of local people’s assembly deputies.
3. Carry out work with local people’s assembly deputies.
4. During assembly recess, elect or recall vice‑chairpersons, the secretary, and members of the local people’s committee.
5. During assembly recess, elect or recall judges and people’s assessors of the corresponding local courts.
6. Implement orders and decrees of the Chairman of the State Affairs Commission; laws and decisions of the Supreme People’s Assembly; decisions and directives of the State Affairs Commission; decrees, decisions, and directives of the SPA Presidium; Cabinet decisions, administrative orders, and directives; directives of Cabinet commissions, ministries, and Cabinet‑affiliated organs; and decisions and directives of higher‑level local people’s assemblies.
7. Organize and execute all administrative work within the locality.
8. Draft local economic development plans and measures for their implementation.
9. Compile local budgets and measures for their execution.
10. 10.Take measures to maintain social order and to protect state and cooperative property and citizens’ rights within the locality.
11. Conduct inspection and control to establish state administrative order at the local level.
12. 12.Guide the work of lower‑level local people’s committees.
13. 13.Annul erroneous decisions or directives of lower‑level local people’s committees and suspend the execution of erroneous decisions of lower‑level local people’s assemblies.

Article 141

Local people’s committees hold plenary meetings and executive meetings.

Plenary meetings consist of all committee members; executive meetings consist of the chairperson, vice‑chairpersons, and secretaries.

Article 142

Local people’s committees issue decisions and directives.

Article 143

Local people’s committees may establish non‑standing sectoral committees to assist their work.

Article 144

Local people’s committees are accountable to their corresponding local people’s assemblies and conduct their work under the guidance of higher‑level people’s committees, the Cabinet, and the SPA Presidium.

 

Section 8 — Procuracy (Public Prosecutor’s Office)

Article 145

The Procuracy is the state organ responsible for supervising law observance and instituting prosecutions in the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea.

Article 146

Procuratorial work is carried out by the Central Prosecutor’s Office, provincial (or directly governed city), city, district, and county prosecutors’ offices, and special prosecutors’ offices.

Article 147

The term of office of the Chief Prosecutor of the Central Prosecutor’s Office is the same as that of the Supreme People’s Assembly.

Article 148

Prosecutors are appointed and dismissed by the Central Prosecutor’s Office.

Article 149

The Procuracy performs the following duties:

1. Supervises whether institutions, enterprises, organizations, and citizens correctly observe the state’s laws.
2. Supervises whether decisions and directives of state organs conform to the Constitution; orders and decrees of the Chairman of the State Affairs Commission; laws and decisions of the Supreme People’s Assembly; decisions and directives of the State Affairs Commission; decrees, decisions, and directives of the SPA Presidium; and Cabinet decisions, administrative orders, and directives.
3. Through exposing criminals and law violators and pursuing legal responsibility, protects state sovereignty, the socialist system, state and cooperative property, and the constitutional rights and life and property of the people.

Article 150

Procuratorial work is conducted under the unified leadership of the Central Prosecutor’s Office.

All prosecutors’ offices are subordinate to higher‑level prosecutors’ offices and the Central Prosecutor’s Office.

Article 151

The Central Prosecutor’s Office issues directives.

Article 152

The Central Prosecutor’s Office is accountable to the Supreme People’s Assembly and, during SPA recess, to the SPA Presidium.

Section 9 — Courts

Article 153

The courts are the judicial organs of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea.

Article 154

Judicial proceedings are conducted by the Central Court, provincial (or directly governed city) courts, city and county people’s courts, and special courts.

Judgments are issued in the name of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea.

Article 155

The term of office of the Chief Justice of the Central Court is the same as that of the Supreme People’s Assembly.

The term of office of judges and people’s assessors of lower‑level courts is the same as that of the corresponding people’s assemblies.

Article 156

Chief judges and judges of special courts are appointed and dismissed by the Central Court.

Article 157

Courts perform the following duties:

1. Through adjudication, safeguard the sovereignty of the state, the socialist system, state and cooperative property, and the constitutional rights and life and property of the people.
2. Ensure that all institutions, enterprises, organizations, and citizens accurately observe state laws and actively struggle against class enemies and all forms of law violations.
3. Enforce judgments and decisions concerning property and perform notarial functions.

Article 158

Trials are conducted by a court composed of one judge and two people’s assessors.

In special cases, trials may be conducted by a panel of three judges.

Article 159

Trials are conducted publicly, and the right of the accused to a defense is guaranteed.

Trials may be closed to the public as prescribed by law.

Article 160

Trials are conducted in the Korean language.

Foreign nationals may use their own language in court proceedings.

Article 161

Courts are independent in adjudication and conduct trials in accordance with the law.

Article 162

The Central Court is the highest judicial organ of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea.

The Central Court supervises the judicial work of all courts.

Article 163

The Central Court issues directives.

Article 164

The Central Court is accountable to the Supreme People’s Assembly and, during SPA recess, to the SPA Presidium.

 

Chapter 7: State Emblem, Flag, Anthem, and Capital

Article 165

The state emblem of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea consists of an oval frame formed by ears of rice bound with a red ribbon inscribed with the words “Democratic People’s Republic of Korea.”

Inside the frame is a majestic hydroelectric power station, above which rise Mount Paektu, the sacred mountain of the revolution, and a brilliantly shining red five‑pointed star.

Article 166

The national flag of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea has a wide red band in the center, bordered above and below by narrow white bands, followed by blue bands at the top and bottom.

Near the hoist side of the red band is a white circle containing a red five‑pointed star.

The ratio of the flag’s width to length is 1:1.65.

Article 167

The national anthem of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea is a people‑wide hymn that embodies the patriotic conviction and will to eternally preserve and glorify the country’s beautiful nature, long history, brilliant culture, and glorious revolutionary traditions, while exalting the socialist Fatherland—under the leadership of the Workers’ Party of Korea—as an everlasting people’s state and a powerful nation renowned throughout the world.

Article 168

The capital of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea is Pyongyang.