North Korea’s Supreme People’s Assembly reappointed Kim Jong Un as Chairman of the State Affairs Commission for a third term, accompanied by a major leadership reshuffle. Attention is focused on constitutional amendments regarding the stance toward South Korea.
On 23 Mar 2026 GMT+7, the Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) reported that North Korean leader Kim Jong Un was reappointed as Chairman of the State Affairs Commission during the first session of the 15th Supreme People’s Assembly, following last month’s major Workers’ Party meeting.
This appointment marks Kim’s third consecutive term as the country’s supreme leader since the establishment of the State Affairs Commission in 2016, which serves as North Korea’s highest policymaking body.
Party Secretary Ri Il-hwan praised the leader, stating that Comrade Kim’s greatness is the nation’s strongest power, and noted that the people hold Kim in high respect and trust.
At the same meeting, Jo Yong-won, a close aide to Kim, was elected Chairman of the Standing Committee of the Supreme People’s Assembly, the top legislative position, replacing Choe Ryong-hae. Additionally, Pak Tae-song remains prime minister, while former prime minister Kim Tok-hun was appointed as first deputy prime minister, a newly created position.
In the power structure, Jo Yong-won was also appointed vice chairman of the State Affairs Commission, while Kim Yo-jong, the influential sister of the leader, was removed from the commission’s membership.
The meeting also discussed constitutional amendments, measures for implementing the five-year economic development plan, and the 2026 state budget. However, no further details were disclosed. A closely watched issue is the possibility of North Korea altering its approach to relations with South Korea through constitutional changes, after Kim previously declared the two Koreas as hostile states. Analysts expect North Korea may remove the principle of peaceful reunification from the constitution to reflect a harsher stance toward South Korea, though it remains unclear whether official media will reveal these details.
Source: Yonhap