General Staff Department of the Korean People's Army

The General Staff Department (GSD) of the Korean People's Army (KPA) is the senior military leadership of the armed forces of North Korea responsible for its administrative, operational and logistical needs. The current Chief of the General Staff is Vice Marshal Ri Yong-gil.[1][2]

General Staff Department of the Korean People's Army
Chosŏn'gŭl
조선인민군 총참모부
Revised RomanizationJoseoninmingun Chongchammobu
McCune–ReischauerChosŏninmin'gun Ch'ongch'ammobu
Chief of the General Staff of the Korean People's Army
조선인민군 총참모장
Incumbent
Ri Yong-gil
since 28 December 2022
Korean People's Army
Reports toMinister of Defence
AppointerSupreme Commander
FormationFebruary 1948
First holderColonel General Kang Kon
DeputyDeputy Chief of the Korean People's Army
Chief of the General Staff of the Korean People's Army
Chosŏn'gŭl
조선인민군 총참모장
Revised RomanizationJoseoninmingun Chongchammojang
McCune–ReischauerChosŏninmin'gun Ch'ongch'ammojang

Duties

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The GSD is the principal administrative body of the KPA besides the Ministry of Defense, which gives it the authority to do the following:

  • Plan the national defense policy for the KPA
  • Assess threats to the sovereignty and security of the state
  • Regulate the training, education, and organization of the KPA

Chiefs of the General Staff of the Korean People's Army

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No. Portrait Chief of the General Staff Took office Left office Time in office Defence branch
1Kon, KangColonel General
Kang Kon
강건

(1918–1950)
February 1948September 19502 years, 7 months  Korean People's Army Ground Force
2Il, NamGeneral
Nam Il
남일

(1915–1976)
September 1950August 19532 years, 11 months  Korean People's Army Ground Force
3Kwang-hyop, KimGeneral
Kim Kwang-hyop
김광협

(1915–1970)
August 1953September 19574 years, 1 month  Korean People's Army Ground Force
4Kwon-mu, LeeColonel General
Lee Kwon-mu
리권무

(1914–1986?)
September 1957July 19591 year, 10 months  Korean People's Army Ground Force
5Chang-bong, KimColonel General
Kim Chang-bong
김창봉
July 1959October 19623 years, 3 months  Korean People's Army Ground Force
6Kwang, ChoeGeneral
Choe Kwang
최광

(1918–1997)
October 1962December 19686 years, 2 months  Korean People's Army Ground Force
7Jin-u, OGeneral
O Jin-u
오진우

(1917–1995)
December 1968September 197910 years, 9 months  Korean People's Army Ground Force
8Kuk-ryol, OGeneral
O Kuk-ryol
오극렬

(1930–2023)
September 1979February 19888 years, 5 months  Korean People's Army Ground Force
(6)Kwang, ChoeMarshal
Choe Kwang
최광

(1918–1997)
February 1988October 19957 years, 8 months  Korean People's Army Ground Force
9Yong-chun, KimVice Marshal
Kim Yong-chun
김영춘

(1936–2018)
October 1995April 200711 years, 6 months  Korean People's Army Ground Force
10Kyok-sik, KimGeneral
Kim Kyok-sik
김격식

(1938–2015)
April 2007February 20091 year, 10 months  Korean People's Army Ground Force
11Yong-ho, RiVice Marshal
Ri Yong-ho
리영호

(1942–2012)
February 2009July 20123 years, 5 months  Korean People's Army Ground Force
12Yong-chol, HyonVice Marshal
Hyon Yong-chol
현영철

(1949–2015)
July 2012May 2013[3]10 months  Korean People's Army Ground Force
(10)Kyok-sik, KimGeneral
Kim Kyok-sik
김격식

(1938–2015)
May 2013August 2013[4]3 months  Korean People's Army Ground Force
13Yong-gil, RiGeneral
Ri Yong-gil
리영길

(born 1952)
August 2013January 2016[5]2 years, 6 months  Korean People's Army Ground Force
14Myong-su, RiVice Marshal
Ri Myong-su
리명수

(born 1934)
February 2016June 20182 years, 4 months  Korean People's Army Ground Force
(13)Yong-gil, RiGeneral
Ri Yong-gil
리영길

(born 1952)
4 June 20186 September 20191 year, 3 months  Korean People's Army Ground Force
15Jong-chon, PakMarshal
Pak Jong-chon
박정천
6 September 20197 September 20212 years  Korean People's Army Ground Force
16Kwang-il, RimGeneral
Rim Kwang-il
림광일

(born 1965)
7 September 20218 June 20229 months  Korean People's Army Ground Force
17Thae-sop, RiGeneral
Ri Thae-sop
리태섭
8 June 202228 December 20226 months  Korean People's Army Ground Force
18Su-il, ParkGeneral
Park Su-il
박수일
28 December 2022[6]10 August 20237 months  Korean People's Army Ground Force
(13)Yong-gil, RiVice Marshal
Ri Yong-gil
리영길

(born 1952)
10 August 2023Incumbent1 year, 4 months  Korean People's Army Ground Force

See also

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References

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  1. ^ CNN "Kim Jong Un fires top general, orders North Korean military to 'gird for war'"
  2. ^ The Guardian,"Kim Jong-un fires North Korea's top general and calls for weapons production boost"
  3. ^ "DPRK appoints new chief of army general staff". China.org.cn. 19 July 2012. Retrieved 19 July 2012.
  4. ^ "N. Korea's former armed forces minister posted as chief of KPA general staff". Sina. 22 May 2013. Retrieved 2013-05-23.
  5. ^ "North Korea 'executes' army chief of staff Ri Yong-gil". BBC. 10 February 2016.
  6. ^ "조선로동당 중앙위원회 제8기 제6차전원회의 공보". KCNA Watch. Retrieved 1 January 2023.
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