Official name

Democratic People's Republic of Korea

Form of government

One-party rule, based on the ideology of juche (self-reliance)

The executive

Constitutional revisions in 1998 abolished the Central People's Committee, renamed the State Administration Council as the cabinet and reaffirmed the National Defence Commission (NDC) as the highest state body, albeit nominally under the Supreme People's Assembly (SPA, parliament). The SPA is a rubber-stamp body that meets for only a few days each year

Head of state

The president of the SPA presidium performs the formal duties of the head of state, but ultimate executive power lies with the chairman of the NDC, Kim Jong-il

National legislature

The unicameral 687-member SPA, which is directly elected for five-year terms. Its presidium, formally the standing committee, substitutes for the legislature when the SPA is not in session

Regional legislatures

Each province, city, county and district elects people's assemblies or committees. These committees elect local officials to carry out centrally decided policies

National elections

The 12th SPA was elected in March 2009. These are communist-style elections, with a single list of candidates; the claimed turnout and "yes" votes approach 100%

National government

The Workers' Party of Korea (WPK) controls all arms of the state. Since the death of North Korea's founder, Kim Il-sung, military figures have grown in influence

Main political parties

Government: the WPK is nominally in coalition with the Social Democratic Party and the Chondoist Chongu Party

Key occupants of state and party positions

National Defence Commission chairman: Kim Jong-il

First vice-chairman: Vacant

Vice-chairmen:

;Kim Yong-chun

;Ri Yong-mu

;O Kuk-ryol

;Jang Song-taek

SPA presidium president: Kim Yong-nam

Vice-presidents:

;Yang Hyong-sop

;Kim Yong-dae

Premier: Choe Yong-rim

Vice-premiers:

;Kang Nung-su

;Kim Rak-hui

;Ri Tae-nam

;Jon Ha-chol

;Jo Pyong Ju

;Han Kwan Bok

WPK Central Military Commission vice-chairmen:

;Kim Jong-eun

;Ri Yong-ho

WPK Politburo Presidium members:

;Kim Jong-il

;Kim Yong-nam

;Choe Yong-rim

;Jo Myong-rok

;Ri Yong-hol

Central bank president

Ri Kwang-gon