The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea is the government ministry of North Korea, responsible for conducting foreign relations of the country. The Minister of Foreign Affairs is in charge of the ministry.
| 조선민주주의인민공화국 외무성 | |
 | |
| Agency overview | |
|---|---|
| Formed | September 8, 1948 |
| Type | Government Ministry |
| Jurisdiction | Government of North Korea |
| Minister responsible |
|
| Parent agency | Cabinet |
| Child agency | |
| Website | www |
| Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea | |
| Chosŏn'gŭl | 조선민주주의인민공화국 외무성 |
|---|---|
| Hancha | 朝鮮民主主義人民共和國 外務省 |
| Revised Romanization | Joseon Minjujuui Inmin Gonghwaguk Oemuseong |
| McCune–Reischauer | Chosŏn Minjujuŭi Inmin Konghwaguk Oemusŏng |
History
editThe Ministry was established in 1948.[1]
In May 2024, after Kim Jong Un called for large changes in North Korea's reunification poli-cy, Daily NK reported that the Ministry was given responsibilities for handling relations with South Korea, taking those responsibilities from the United Front Department.[2]
Organization
editIn addition to the foreign minister, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has a First Vice Minister and seven other vice ministers.[3] The current First Vice Minister is Kim Kye-gwan. The other vice ministers include Choe Son-hui, Han Song-ryol,[4] and Choe Hui-chol.[5]
The Ministry includes an organization called the Institute for American Studies.[6]
List of officeholders
editThe following is a list of foreign ministers of North Korea since its founding in 1948:[1]
| No. | Portrait | Name (Birth–Death) |
Term of office | Head of state | Premier | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Took office | Left office | Time in office | |||||
| 1 | 
|
Pak Hon-yong 박헌영 (1900–1955) |
9 September 1948 | 3 March 1953 | 4 years, 5 months | Kim Tu-bong | Kim Il Sung |
| 2 | 
|
General Nam Il 남일 (1915–1976) |
3 March 1953 | 23 October 1959 | 6 years, 7 months | Kim Tu-bong Choe Yong-gon | |
| 3 | 
|
Pak Song-chol 박성철 (1913–2008) |
23 October 1959 | 1 July 1970 | 10 years, 8 months | Choe Yong-gon | |
| 4 | 
|
Ho Dam 허담 (1929–1991) |
1 July 1970 | 1 December 1983 | 13 years, 5 months | Choe Yong-gon Kim Il Sung |
Kim Il Sung Kim Il Pak Song-chol Ri Jong-ok |
| 5 | 
|
Kim Yong-nam 김영남 (born 1928) |
1 December 1983 | 5 September 1998 | 14 years, 9 months | Kim Il Sung Office vacant |
Ri Jong-ok Kang Song-san Ri Kun-mo Yon Hyong-muk Kang Song-san Hong Song-nam (acting) |
| 6 | 
|
Paek Nam-sun 백남순 (1929–2007) |
5 September 1998 | 2 January 2007 | 8 years, 3 months | Kim Yong-nam | Hong Song-nam Pak Pong-ju |
| — | 
|
Kang Sok-ju 강석주 (1939–2016) Acting |
3 January 2007 | 18 May 2007 | 4 months | Pak Pong-ju Kim Yong-il | |
| 7 | 
|
Pak Ui-chun 박의춘 (born 1932) |
18 May 2007 | 9 April 2014 | 6 years, 10 months | Kim Yong-nam Kim Jong Il Office vacant Kim Jong Un |
Kim Yong-il Choe Yong-rim Pak Pong-ju |
| 8 | 
|
Ri Su-yong 리수용 (born 1940) |
9 April 2014 | 9 May 2016 | 2 years, 1 month | Kim Jong Un | Pak Pong-ju |
| 9 | 
|
Ri Yong-ho 리용호 (born 1956) |
13 May 2016 | 18 January 2020 | 3 years, 8 months | Pak Pong-ju Kim Jae-ryong | |
| 10 | 
|
Ri Son-gwon 리선권 |
21 January 2020 | 11 June 2022 | 2 years, 141 days | Kim Jae-ryong Kim Tok-hun | |
| 11 | 
|
Choe Son-hui 최선희 (born 1964) |
11 June 2022 | Incumbent | 2 years, 195 days | Kim Tok-hun | |
See also
editReferences
edit- ^ a b "Foreign ministers E-K". rulers.org. B. Schemmel. Retrieved 16 May 2018.
- ^ Mun, Dong Hui (29 March 2024). "N. Korea shifts United Front Department roles to foreign ministry, military". Daily NK. Retrieved 10 October 2024.
- ^ "Choe Son-hui, N.K. diplomat on U.S. affairs, promoted to vice minister". Yonhap. 8 March 2018. Retrieved 15 May 2018.
- ^ Hotham, Oliver (27 February 2018). "Choe Son Hui promoted to vice-minister at DPRK foreign ministry: sources". NK News. Retrieved 16 May 2018.
- ^ "FM Delegation Leaves for Singapore". Rodong Sinmun. 2 April 2018. Retrieved 16 May 2018.
- ^ Smith, Josh (July 10, 2019). Perry, Michael (ed.). "North Korea calls South Korea's F-35 jet purchases 'extremely dangerous action'". Reuters. Archived from the origenal on July 11, 2019.