WPK Charter (Party Bylaws) 2026
Charter (by-laws) of the Workers’ Party of Korea
as of 2026
Preamble
The Workers’ Party of Korea is the great Kimilsung–Kimjongilist Party.
The WPK is a political organization that is firmly united around its leader in organizational and ideological terms, and fights to realize the socialist and communist cause.
The WPK is a Juche-type revolutionary party that upholds the great Kimilsung–Kimjongilism as its sole guiding ideology.
The WPK regards Kimilsung–Kimjongilism as the fundamental guideline for Party building and Party activities, as the basis for the Party’s organizational and ideological consolidation, and raises it high as the eternal banner of revolution and construction.
The WPK preserves and continuously inherits and develops the Juche revolutionary traditions created and enriched during the anti-Japanese revolutionary struggle.
The WPK is deeply rooted among the working masses — workers, peasants, and intellectuals — and is a revolutionary party of the working class, organized from advanced fighters who struggle for the victory of the socialist cause among the masses. It is a mass party of the working people.
The WPK represents the interests of the Korean nation and the Korean people.
The WPK is the highest form of political organization among all political organizations of the working masses. It is the leading political organization that guides all fields — politics, economy, military affairs, culture — in a unified manner, the general staff of the revolution, and the organizer and guide of all victories of the Korean people.
The WPK sets the Kimilsung–Kimjongilization of the entire society as its supreme program.
The immediate objective of the WPK is to build a prosperous and civilized socialist society, and its final objective is to build a communist society in which the people’s ideals are fully realized.
The WPK holds political construction, organizational construction, ideological construction, discipline construction, and work-style construction as its permanent line for Party building.
The WPK’s basic principles of Party building are to ensure the unity of ideology and leadership within the Party, strengthen the bloodline-like ties with the masses, and guarantee continuity in Party construction.
The WPK thoroughly embodies the leader’s revolutionary ideology and leadership methods in all aspects of Party building and Party activities, firmly defends and glorifies the leader’s immortal revolutionary achievements.
The WPK puts the establishment of the Party Central Committee’s monolithic leadership system at the core, strengthens the unified unity of the entire Party centered on the leader, and establishes a strict revolutionary system and order in which all organizations move as one under the leadership of the Party Central Committee.
The WPK opposes and rejects capitalist ideology, feudal Confucian ideology, revisionism, dogmatism, flunkeyism, and all reactionary and opportunist ideological currents.
The Party thoroughly carries out the class line and the mass line, consolidates the revolutionary and class positions, and strengthens the single-hearted unity of the Party and the masses.
The Party sets the continuous improvement of the people’s material and cultural living standards as the highest principle of its activities.
The Party regards work with people as the basis of Party work and thoroughly applies the anti-Japanese guerrilla-style work method.
The Party practices people-first politics as the basic political method of socialism.
The WPK accelerates economic construction under the banner of self-reliance, strengthens the material and technical foundations of socialism, develops socialist culture in an all-round way, and works to further consolidate and promote the institutional superiority of socialism, advancing the struggle for the complete victory of socialism.
The WPK continuously strengthens the armed forces of the Republic politically, ideologically, and militarily, develops an independent national defense industry, and steadily reinforces the country’s defense capabilities. With powerful national defense strength, it suppresses fundamental military threats and safeguards national security and a peaceful environment.
The WPK regards the strengthening of the youth movement as a matter of the highest importance for the Party and the state and as a strategic requirement of the revolution. It trains young people to be the Party’s reserve force and successors to the revolution, enhances the role of working people’s organizations, rallies broad masses around the Party, and organizes and mobilizes them for the struggle to build socialism.
The WPK upholds independence, peace, and friendship as the basic principles of its foreign policy. It strengthens solidarity with anti-imperialist independent forces, develops good-neighborly and friendly relations with other countries, opposes imperialist aggression and war maneuvers, and fights for the independence and peace of the world and for the development of the world socialist movement.
Chapter 1: Party Members
Article 1
Definition of a party member
A member of the Workers’ Party of Korea is a Juche-type revolutionary who is thoroughly armed with the Leader’s revolutionary ideology, loyal to Party organizational discipline, and devotes their entire body and mind to the new victories of our-style socialism and the final victory of the Juche revolutionary cause under the leadership of the Party Central Committee.
Article 2
Eligibility
A WPK member may be any DPRK citizen who is infinitely loyal to the Party, the revolution, the country, and the people; who accepts the Party’s program as a conviction; and who is willing to observe the Party Charter.
Membership is open from age 20.
Article 3
Admission Procedures
An applicant must submit an application for admission and sponsorship letters from two Party members to the Party cell.
A Socialist Patriotic Youth League member may submit a sponsorship letter from the city/county Youth League Committee, which substitutes for one Party member’s sponsorship.
Candidate members do not submit applications or sponsorship letters when becoming full members, unless the Party cell requires additional sponsorship.
2. Sponsor Requirements
Sponsors must have at least three years of Party life, must know the applicant’s social and political life well, and bear responsibility before the Party for the content of their sponsorship.
3. Individual Review
Admission cases must be reviewed individually.
The Party cell discusses the applicant at a general meeting and its decision must be approved by the city/county Party committee.
4. Candidate Period
The candidate period is two years.
The Party cell reviews and decides on admission at the end of this period.
Special cases allow early admission.
If the candidate is not ready, the period may be extended once by up to one year; failure to qualify results in expulsion.
Extensions or expulsions require approval by the city/county Party committee.
5. Admission Date
The admission date is the day the Party cell general meeting decides on admission.
6. Oath
New members take the admission oath when receiving their Party membership card.
7. Special Cases
Admission of persons working in special environments or those who left another party is handled according to procedures separately set by the Central Committee.
Article 4
Duties of a party member
1. Absolute loyalty to the Party Central Committee
Members must uphold loyalty to the Leader as revolutionary conviction and moral obligation, defend the Party Central Committee, accept and carry out Party lines unconditionally, and ensure unity of words and actions.
2. Ideological Armament
Members must study and internalize the Leader’s revolutionary ideology, theory, and Juche revolutionary traditions, and apply them thoroughly in work and life.
3. Participation in Party Life
Members must attend Party meetings, criticism sessions, study sessions, carry out assigned tasks, strengthen ideological struggle, observe discipline, and report issues to the Party organization.
4. Vanguard Role
Members must master Party policy, acquire modern science and technical knowledge, fulfill revolutionary tasks responsibly, and lead the masses by competence and example.
5. Defense of the Socialist Motherland
Members must prioritize military affairs, contribute to strengthening defense capabilities, study military knowledge, prepare for war, and be ready to fight to defend socialism and the revolution.
6. Upholding Party and Class Principles
Members must place Party and revolutionary interests first, maintain revolutionary conviction under any adversity, and fight against class enemies, alien ideological elements, bureaucracy, corruption, and non-socialist phenomena.
7. Work Among the Masses
Members must explain Party policy to the masses, mobilize them for implementation, listen to their opinions, reflect their demands to the Party, and defend their interests.
8. Revolutionary Work Style
Members must oppose passivity and conservatism, work and live in a revolutionary and militant manner, manage state property responsibly, obey laws and regulations, and strictly protect Party, state, and military secrets.
9. Moral Conduct
Members must be modest, honest, courteous, reject selfishness and greed, maintain integrity, uphold public morality and order, and promote socialist virtues.
10. Party Dues
Members must pay monthly dues equal to 2% of their monthly income.
Article 5
Rights of a party member
- A Party member may express opinions helpful to implementing the Party’s line and policies and developing Party work through Party meetings and Party publications.
- A Party member has the right to vote and to be elected at Party meetings and in elections for Party leadership bodies at all levels.
- A Party member may criticize any other Party member when there is just reason and grounds. A member may refuse to carry out any task assigned by a higher body if it contradicts the Party’s line, policies, or the ideology of the Party Central Committee.
- A Party member may request to participate in Party meetings that discuss and decide matters concerning their work and life.
- A Party member may submit petitions and appeals to Party committees at all levels up to the Party Central Committee, and may request to leave the Party. If a member requests to leave, the Party cell discusses and decides the matter at a general meeting, and the decision must be approved by the city/county Party committee. The member is then removed from the ranks.
Article 6
Candidate members
The duties of candidate members are the same as those of full Party members.
Their rights are the same except that they do not have the right to vote, the right to elect, or the right to be elected.
Article 7
Party discipline and punishments
- Grounds for expulsion
A Party member who rejects the monolithic leadership of the Party Central Committee, opposes the Party’s line and policies, engages in factional activities, compromises with enemies, or causes serious harm to the Party and the revolution shall be expelled.
Expelled members may re-enter the Party only after undergoing at least three years of labor training and revolutionary re-education and being verified by Party organizations and the masses.
2. Lesser punishments
Members who commit offenses not warranting expulsion shall receive one of the following punishments, depending on severity:
• Reprimand: 1–2 months
• Warning: 6 months
• Severe warning: 1 year
• Suspension from work: 3–6 months
• Suspension of rights: 1 year
• Demotion to candidate member: 2 years
Punishments must be given only after thoroughly understanding the member’s motives, causes, consequences, and overall work and life.
3. Procedures
The Party cell discusses the case at a general meeting with the member present (except in special cases).
Decisions on punishment require approval:
• City/county Party committee for ordinary punishments
• Provincial Party committee for expulsions
4. Removal of Punishment
If a punished member sincerely repents, corrects their mistakes, and shows improvement, the Party cell may decide to lift the punishment.
This requires approval by the city/county Party committee.
5. Punishment of Higher-Level Cadres
Punishment of members of the Central Committee, provincial, city, and county Party committees is handled according to procedures set by the Central Committee.
6. Appeals
Higher Party committees must responsibly review and handle appeals related to Party discipline.
Article 8
Expulsion for neglect of Party Life
A Party member who, without just reason, fails to participate in Party life for more than six months or fails to fulfill Party member duties for more than three years must be expelled by decision of the Party cell general meeting, with approval from the city/county Party committee.
Article 9
Registration and transfer
Registration and transfer of Party members are carried out according to procedures set by the Party Central Committee.
Article 10
Honorary members
Party members who have fought for the Party and revolution but now receive old-age or social benefits, or who cannot properly carry out Party activities, shall be designated honorary Party members.
Honorary members receive honorary membership cards.
Designation as an honorary member requires approval by the city/county Party committee.
Chapter 2: Organizational principles and structure
Article 11
Democratic centralism
The Party is organized and conducts its activities according to the principle of democratic centralism.
- Election & Accountability
All Party leadership bodies at every level are elected democratically, and the elected bodies regularly summarize and report their work to the Party organizations that elected them.
2. Obedience & hierarchy
Party members obey the Party organization; the minority obeys the majority; lower Party organizations obey higher Party organizations; and all Party organizations obey the Party Central Committee absolutely.
A Party organization responsible for a region is the superior organization to all Party organizations within that region.
A Party organization responsible for a sector or unit is the superior organization to all Party organizations within that sector or unit.
3. Implementation of the party line
All Party organizations must unconditionally uphold and implement the Party’s line and policies.
Lower bodies must carry out the decisions of higher bodies.
4. Guidance & Reporting
Higher Party organizations systematically guide and inspect the work of lower organizations.
Lower organizations regularly report their work to higher organizations.
Article 12
Basis of organization
Party organizations at all levels are formed according to regional units and production or work units.
Article 13
Party committees
Party committees at all levels are the highest leadership bodies of their respective units and serve as political general staffs.
The basic principle of Party committee activity is collective leadership.
New and important issues must be discussed and decided collectively, combining the responsibility and creativity of committee members and Party members.
Article 14
Highest leadership bodies at each level
- National, provincial, City/County, and Grassroots
The highest leadership body of the Party is the Party Congress.
Between Party Congresses, the Party Central Committee serves as the highest leadership body.
For provincial, city, and county Party organizations, the highest body is the Party Representative Conference, and between conferences, the elected Party committee serves as the leadership body.
For grassroots Party organizations, the highest body is the Party General Meeting (or Representative Meeting), and between meetings, the elected Party committee serves as the leadership body.
2. Election of Representatives
Representatives to Party Congresses and Party Representative Conferences are elected at the next-lower Party organization’s representative meeting or general meeting.
The ratio for electing Party Congress delegates is set by the Party Central Committee.
Ratios for provincial/city/county conferences are set by local Party committees according to Central Committee guidelines.
3. Number of Committee Members
The number of full and alternate members of the Party Central Committee is decided by the Party Congress.
Numbers for provincial/city/county committees and grassroots committees are decided by their respective representative meetings according to Central Committee standards.
4. Election Rules
All elections of Party leadership bodies follow election regulations established by the Party Central Committee.
The term of each leadership body lasts until a new body is elected.
Article 15
Recall (dismissal) and by-election of members and alternate members of the Party Central Committee and provincial/city/county Party committees are conducted at plenary meetings of the respective committees.
If a vacancy occurs, an alternate member may be promoted to full member, or a non-member may be elected if necessary.
2. Grassroots Committees
Recall and by-election of grassroots committee members are conducted at the Party general meeting or representative meeting.
In large units or units with dispersed subordinate organizations, or where meetings cannot be convened promptly due to work characteristics, the Party committee itself may recall or elect committee members.
3. Appointment of Lower-Level Secretaries
Higher Party committees may dispatch responsible secretaries, secretaries, or deputy secretaries to fill vacancies in lower Party committees.
4. Cadre Appointment During Wartime
Newly appointed responsible officials in a region or unit are registered as candidates for committee membership and elected at a plenary meeting.
However, during wartime, elections are not held; such officials simply serve as committee members.
Article 16
Quorum and voting
A Party meeting is valid only when at least two-thirds of its members (or delegates) are present.
A motion is adopted when more than half of the voting members present approve it.
Alternate members of Party committees have speaking rights at plenary meetings but no voting rights.
Article 17
Establishment and dissolution of party organizations
The establishment or dissolution of provincial Party committees is approved by the Party Central Committee.
The establishment or dissolution of grassroots Party organizations (primary Party committees and subcommittees) is approved by the provincial Party committee.
The establishment or dissolution of sectoral Party organizations and Party cells is approved by city/county Party committees.
Article 18
Departments of Party Committees
Party committees at all levels establish necessary departments to ensure effective work.
The authority to create or abolish departments belongs to the Party Central Committee.
Article 19
Political organs
Political organs established in politically or militarily important sectors organize and conduct political and ideological education for Party members, soldiers, and workers.
They act as executive bodies of the Party committee within their unit.
They may convene meetings of Party activists to mobilize Party members, soldiers, and the masses for implementing Party lines and policies.
2. Central Political Organs
Political bureaus (or political departments) in central institutions are directly subordinate to the Party Central Committee and report regularly to it.
3. Rules and Guidance
Political organs are organized and operate according to the Party Charter and guidance documents approved by the Party Central Committee.
Article 20
Dissolution of organizations for violations
The Party Central Committee may dissolve any Party organization or any department within a Party organ that seriously violates or fails to implement the Party’s line, policies, or the Party Charter.
When dissolving a Party organization, the Central Committee may individually review its members, re-register them, and reorganize the Party organization.
The Central Committee may impose warnings, severe warnings, suspension of work, or reorganization penalties on Party organizations that irresponsibly cause serious consequences, and warnings or suspensions on departments within Party organs.
Article 21
Special organizational forms
The Party Central Committee separately decides on organizational forms, methods of activity, and other matters related to Party building for politically, militarily, or economically important regions and sectors, or for special environments.
Chapter 3: Central Party Organizations
Article 22
The Party Congress
The Party Congress is the highest leadership body of the Party.
The Party Congress is convened once every five years by the Party Central Committee.
The announcement of its convocation is made several months in advance.
Article 23
Duties of the Party Congress
The Party Congress performs the following tasks:
1. Summarizes the work of the Party Central Committee.
2. Revises and supplements the Party program and Party Charter.
3. Discusses and decides basic issues of the Party’s line, policies, strategy, and tactics.
4. Elects the Party Central Committee.
5. Elects the General Secretary of the Workers’ Party of Korea.
Article 24
The General Secretary of the Workers’ Party of Korea
The head of the Workers’ Party of Korea is the General Secretary of the Workers’ Party of Korea.
The General Secretary represents the Party and organizes and leads the entire Party.
The General Secretary convenes and presides over meetings of the Political Bureau and the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau.
Direct Powers of the General Secretary
The General Secretary may directly appoint and dismiss important Party cadres.
The General Secretary may directly admit politically and ideologically prepared citizens as Party members or candidate members.
The General Secretary may expel Party members who commit acts opposing the Party’s line and policies or who commit serious offenses.
The General Secretary may dissolve Party organizations or departments within Party organs that act contrary to the Party’s guiding ideology or violate organizational principles and discipline.
Article 25
The Party Central Committee
Between Party Congresses, the Party Central Committee organizes and leads all Party work.
The Central Committee:
• Holds the Kimilsung–Kimjongilist transformation of the entire society as its overall task
• Establishes and enforces the monolithic leadership system
• Strengthens the Party and revolutionary ranks
• Formulates Party lines and policies in accordance with the demands of revolutionary development
• Politically guides revolutionary struggle and construction
• Conducts relations with domestic and foreign parties and organizations
• Manages Party finances
Article 26
Plenary meetings of the Central Committee
The Party Central Committee convenes plenary meetings at least once every six months.
Plenary meetings:
• Discuss and decide important issues facing the Party
• May discuss issues related to national defense
• Elect the Political Bureau and its Standing Committee
• Elect the First Secretary and Secretaries of the Central Committee
• Organize the Secretariat
• Elect the Central Military Commission and the Central Auditing Commission
• Establish departments (including non-standing bodies)
• Revise and implement the Party Charter when necessary and submit revisions to the Party Congress for approval
The First Secretary of the Central Committee is the deputy to the General Secretary.
Article 27
The Political Bureau of the Central Committee
The Political Bureau organizes and guides work to implement decisions of the Party Congress and the Party Central Committee between plenary meetings.
The Political Bureau convenes plenary meetings of the Central Committee.
In special cases, it may recall or elect members of the Party’s central leadership bodies, subject to later approval by the Central Committee plenary meeting.
During wartime, under the authority delegated by the Central Committee, the Political Bureau may discuss and decide important issues facing the Party.
Article 28
The Standing Committee of the Political Bureau
The Standing Committee of the Political Bureau discusses and decides urgent and important matters arising in Party and state work between meetings of the Political Bureau.
It reports its work to the plenary meeting of the Party Central Committee.
It discusses matters related to the appointment and dismissal of important Party and state cadres.
The Standing Committee is convened as needed.
Members of the Standing Committee may preside over Political Bureau meetings when authorized by the General Secretary.
Article 29
The Secretariat of the Central Committee
The Secretariat discusses and decides matters arising in internal Party work, including cadre affairs and other practical issues, and organizes their implementation.
The Secretariat:
• Discusses and decides the dissolution and reorganization of provincial, city, and county Party committees
• Discusses and decides the dissolution of departments within Party organs
• Discusses major issues of state administrative bodies
The Secretariat meets at least once a month.
Article 30
The Central Military Commission
The Central Military Commission is the Party’s highest military leadership body between Party Congresses.
The General Secretary of the Workers’ Party of Korea serves as Chairman of the Central Military Commission.
The Commission:
• Discusses and decides measures for implementing the Party’s military line and policies
• Commands the armed forces of the Republic
• Guides all national defense work, including development of the defense industry
Before plenary meetings of the Central Committee, it summarizes the implementation of the Party’s national defense policy and reports to the plenary meeting.
The Commission meets at least once every six months.
Depending on the nature of the agenda, meetings may be held with only necessary members regardless of quorum.
Article 31
The Central Auditing Commission
The Central Auditing Commission supervises and investigates violations of Party discipline that hinder the realization of the monolithic leadership of the Party Central Committee.
It:
• Reviews Party discipline cases
• Handles petitions and appeals
• Inspects Party financial management
It meets at least once every three months.
Article 32
Party Representative Conference
Between Party Congresses, the Party Central Committee may convene a Party Representative Conference.
The Central Committee sets the ratio for electing representatives and the procedures for their election.
The Representative Conference:
• Discusses and decides important issues of Party line, policy, strategy, and tactics
• Recalls and elects members of the Party’s central leadership bodies
• May elect Party central leadership bodies
• May revise and supplement the Party Charter
Chapter 4: Local Party Organizations
Article 33
Provincial Party Committees
The provincial Party committee is the highest leadership body of the province and serves as its political general staff.
The provincial Party committee:
• Organizes and directs all Party work in the province
• Implements the Party’s line and policies
• Guides city and county Party committees
• Ensures the monolithic leadership of the Party Central Committee throughout the province
The provincial Party committee convenes plenary meetings at least once every four months.
Article 34
City and County Party Committees
City and county Party committees are the highest leadership bodies of their respective areas and serve as political general staffs.
They:
• Organize and direct Party work in their areas
• Implement the Party’s line and policies
• Guide grassroots Party organizations
• Strengthen the Party’s organizational and ideological life at the local level
City and county Party committees convene plenary meetings at least once every three months.
Article 35
Grassroots party organizations
Primary Party committees and subcommittees are the basic Party organizations of their respective units.
They:
• Organize Party life for members
• Implement Party decisions
• Conduct ideological education
• Mobilize members and masses for fulfilling tasks
• Maintain discipline and unity
Grassroots Party committees convene general meetings at least once every month.
Article 36
Party cells
The Party cell is the lowest-level organization of the Party.
The Party cell:
• Directly organizes Party life for members
• Conducts ideological education
• Ensures implementation of Party policies
• Maintains discipline
• Mobilizes members and masses for revolutionary tasks
Party cell general meetings are convened at least once every month.
Article 37
Duties of local
party committees
Provincial, city, county, and grassroots Party committees must:
• Strengthen the monolithic leadership system
• Ensure strict Party discipline
• Guide subordinate Party organizations
• Conduct political and ideological education
• Mobilize the masses for implementing Party policies
• Maintain close ties with the people
• Report regularly to higher Party committees
Article 38
Leadership structures of local party committees
Provincial, city, and county Party committees consist of a responsible secretary, secretaries, and deputy secretaries.
Grassroots Party committees consist of a secretary and deputy secretaries.
The responsible secretary organizes and directs all work of the committee.
Article 39
Departments of local committees
Provincial, city, and county Party committees establish necessary departments to ensure effective work.
Grassroots Party committees may establish departments according to the nature of their units.
Departments operate under the guidance of the Party committee and must implement Party policies faithfully.
Article 40
Reporting and inspection
Lower Party organizations must regularly report their work to higher Party organizations.
Higher Party organizations must systematically inspect and guide the work of lower organizations.
Article 41
Party activist meetings
Local Party committees may convene meetings of Party activists to mobilize Party members and the masses for implementing Party policies and tasks.
Chapter 5: Party Organizations in Enterprises, Institutions & Units
Article 42
Party organizations in enterprises, institutions and units
Party organizations are established in enterprises, institutions, and units.
These Party organizations:
• Implement the Party’s line and policies within their units
• Organize and direct Party life
• Conduct political and ideological education
• Mobilize workers and employees for fulfilling production and administrative tasks
• Maintain discipline and unity
• Strengthen ties between the Party and the working masses
Article 43
Leadership role of Party Committees in units
Party organizations are established in enterprises, institutions, and units.
These Party organizations:
• Implement the Party’s line and policies within their units
• Organize and direct Party life
• Conduct political and ideological education
• Mobilize workers and employees for fulfilling production and administrative tasks
• Maintain discipline and unity
• Strengthen ties between the Party and the working masses
Article 44
Structure of Party Committees in units
Party committees in enterprises and institutions consist of:
• A responsible secretary
• Secretaries
• Deputy secretaries
• Committee members and alternate members
The responsible secretary organizes and directs all work of the committee.
Departments may be established within the committee according to the nature of the unit.
Article 45
Party cells in units
The Party cell is the lowest-level Party organization within an enterprise or institution.
It:
• Directly organizes Party life
• Conducts ideological education
• Ensures implementation of Party policies
• Mobilizes workers and employees
• Maintains discipline and unity
Party cell general meetings are convened at least once every month.
Article 46
Duties of Party Organizations in units
Party organizations in enterprises, institutions, and units must:
• Strengthen the monolithic leadership system
• Ensure strict Party discipline
• Guide administrative and economic work in accordance with Party policy
• Conduct political and ideological education
• Mobilize workers and employees for production and construction
• Maintain close ties with the masses
• Report regularly to higher Party committees
Article 47
Party activist meetings in units
Party committees in enterprises and institutions may convene meetings of Party activists to mobilize Party members and workers for implementing Party policies and fulfilling production tasks.
Chapter 6: Party Organizations in the Korean People’s Army [KPA]
Article 48
Party Organizations in the KPA
Party organizations are established in the Korean People’s Army.
These Party organizations:
• Implement the Party’s military line and policies
• Conduct political and ideological education for soldiers and officers
• Ensure the monolithic leadership of the Party Central Committee within the armed forces
• Maintain revolutionary discipline and unity
• Mobilize soldiers for combat readiness and training
• Strengthen ties between the Party and the service members
Article 49
The General Political Bureau
The General Political Bureau is the highest political organ of the Korean People’s Army.
It:
• Organizes and directs all Party work within the KPA
• Ensures the implementation of the Party’s military line
• Guides political education and ideological work
• Strengthens the monolithic leadership system within the armed forces
• Directs Party committees and Party organizations at all levels of the KPA
• Reports regularly to the Party Central Committee
Article 50
Party committees in military units
The Party committee of a military unit is the highest leadership body of that unit.
It:
• Organizes and directs Party work within the unit
• Ensures implementation of the Party’s military line and policies
• Guides combat training and military preparedness in accordance with Party policy
• Conducts ideological education
• Maintains discipline and unity
• Reports regularly to higher Party organizations
Article 51
Political commissars
The political commissar is responsible for political work within the unit.
The political commissar:
• Ensures that all activities of the unit conform to the Party’s line and policies
• Guides ideological education and political training
• Maintains revolutionary discipline
• Strengthens unity between commanders and soldiers
• Works jointly with the unit commander in organizing and directing the unit’s work
The political commissar has authority equal to the commander in matters of Party work and ideological guidance.
Article 52
Party cells in military units
The Party cell is the lowest-level Party organization within a military unit.
It:
• Organizes Party life for soldiers and officers
• Conducts ideological education
• Ensures implementation of Party policies
• Mobilizes soldiers for training and combat readiness
• Maintains discipline and unity
Party cell general meetings are convened at least once every month.
Article 53
Duties of Party Organizations in the KPA
Party organizations in the Korean People’s Army must:
• Strengthen the monolithic leadership system
• Ensure strict Party and military discipline
• Conduct political and ideological education
• Guide combat training and military preparedness
• Mobilize soldiers for defending the socialist motherland
• Maintain close ties with soldiers and officers
• Report regularly to higher Party organizations
Article 54
Party activist meetings in the KPA
Party committees in the Korean People’s Army may convene meetings of Party activists to mobilize soldiers and officers for implementing Party policies and strengthening combat readiness.
Article 55
Special provisions for wartime
During wartime, Party organizations in the Korean People’s Army organize their work according to the special conditions of war.
They may:
• Adjust organizational forms
• Modify meeting procedures
• Implement emergency measures
• Strengthen political guidance for combat operations
• Ensure absolute obedience to the Party Central Committee
Chapter 7: Party organizations in mass organizations
Article 56
Party organizations in mass organizations
Party organizations are established within mass organizations.
Mass organizations include:
• The Socialist Patriotic Youth League
• The General Federation of Trade Unions
• The Women’s Union
• The Agricultural Workers’ Union
• Other working people’s organizations
Party organizations within these bodies:
• Implement the Party’s line and policies
• Conduct political and ideological education
• Strengthen the monolithic leadership system
• Guide the activities of the mass organization
• Mobilize members for socialist construction
• Maintain discipline and unity
• Report regularly to higher Party committees
Article 57
Party Committees in Mass Organizations
The Party committee of a mass organization is the highest leadership body of that organization.
It:
• Organizes and directs all Party work within the organization
• Ensures that the organization’s activities conform to Party policy
• Guides ideological education
• Mobilizes members for political and economic tasks
• Strengthens ties between the Party and the masses
• Reports regularly to higher Party committees
Article 58
Structures of party committees in mass organizations
Party committees in mass organizations consist of:
• A responsible secretary
• Secretaries
• Deputy secretaries
• Committee members and alternate members
Departments may be established according to the nature of the organization.
The responsible secretary organizes and directs all work of the committee.
Article 59
Party cells in mass organizations
The Party cell is the lowest-level Party organization within a mass organization.
It:
• Organizes Party life
• Conducts ideological education
• Ensures implementation of Party policies
• Mobilizes members for tasks assigned by the Party
• Maintains discipline and unity
Party cell general meetings are convened at least once every month.
Article 60
Duties of party organizations in mass organizations
Party organizations in mass organizations must:
• Strengthen the monolithic leadership system
• Ensure strict Party discipline
• Guide the mass organization’s activities in accordance with Party policy
• Conduct political and ideological education
• Mobilize members for socialist construction
• Maintain close ties with the masses
• Report regularly to higher Party committees
Chapter 8: Party Finance & Management
Article 61
Party property and finance
The finances and property of the Party are managed by the Party Central Committee.
Party finances consist of:
• Party dues
• State allocations
• Income from Party enterprises
• Voluntary contributions
• Other lawful sources
Party property is used exclusively for Party activities and may not be diverted for other purposes.
The Party Central Committee ensures strict financial discipline and proper use of Party funds and property.
Article 62
Financial Management System
The Party Central Committee establishes and enforces a unified financial management system for the entire Party.
Party organizations at all levels must:
• Implement financial regulations set by the Central Committee
• Maintain accurate financial records
• Submit regular financial reports to higher Party organizations
• Ensure proper use and preservation of Party funds and property
• Strengthen financial discipline
The Central Auditing Commission inspects Party finances regularly.
Article 63
Party enterprises
Party organs and Party organizations may operate enterprises to support Party finances.
Party enterprises must:
• Operate under the guidance of the Party Central Committee
• Follow state laws and regulations
• Contribute income to Party finances
• Maintain strict financial discipline
• Report their operations to the Party Central Committee
The Party Central Committee may establish, reorganize, or dissolve Party enterprises as needed.
Chapter 9: Party Symbols & Implementation
Article 64
Party emblem and flag
The symbols of the Party are the Party emblem and the Party flag.
The Party emblem and flag represent the revolutionary character, traditions, and mission of the Workers’ Party of Korea.
Their design, production, and use follow regulations set by the Party Central Committee.
Article 65
Party Seal
The seal of the Party is managed by the Party Central Committee.
The Party seal is used for official documents of the Party and must be preserved and used according to strict regulations.
Article 66
Party Membership Card
The Party membership card certifies the identity of a Party member.
Issuance, replacement, and management of Party membership cards follow procedures set by the Party Central Committee.
Party members must safeguard their membership cards and present them when required by Party organizations.
Article 67
Implementation of the Party Charter
The implementation of the Party Charter is guided by the Party Central Committee.
All Party organizations and Party members must strictly observe the Party Charter.
The Party Central Committee may issue detailed regulations and instructions for implementing the Charter.
