Speculation emerged on Wednesday that North Korea might bestow the title of Chairman upon Kim Jong Un, the General Secretary of the Workers’ Party, during its upcoming 9th Party Congress.
38 North, a North Korea-focused outlet operated by the U.S. think tank Stimson Center, suggested that North Korea’s recent practice of referring to Kim as the Head of State since 2024 could be laying the groundwork for reviving the Chairman position.
Kim Yo-jong, Deputy Director of the Party’s Central Committee, first referred to Kim as the Head of State of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea in a statement released in September 2024. Subsequently, North Korea began addressing Kim as Head of State across various communications, including party, state, and military reports.
North Korea previously abolished the Chairman position in 1998, a move widely interpreted as a response to Kim Il Sung’s death and Kim Jong Il’s decision to govern through the National Defense Commission rather than the party.
During Kim Il Sung’s rule, the North Korean constitution stipulated that the Chairman of the Republic would serve as the head of state. This historical context has led analysts to interpret the recent use of Head of State for Kim as a potential precursor to reviving the Chairman position.
North Korea amended its constitution during Supreme People’s Assembly sessions in October 2024 and January 2025, but did not disclose specific details. Some experts suggest that, given North Korea’s tendency to withhold information on sensitive matters, the Chairman position may have already been reinstated.
38 North predicts that if Kim reclaims the title of Chairman, it could signify a significant shift in North Korea’s political system and power structure, extending beyond a mere change in nomenclature. The think tank also analyzes that this move might be a strategic maneuver to bolster Kim’s authority and establish a clear succession framework.