Choe Ryong Hae, member of the Presidium of the Political Bureau

Born in Sinchon County, South Hwanghae Province, on Jan. 15, 1950.

Joined the Korean People's Army in September 1967.

Graduated from Kim Il Sung University as a political and economic expert.

He was vice department director, department director and vice-chairman of the C.C., the League of the Socialist Working Youth of Korea, first secretary of the C.C., the Kim Il Sung Socialist Youth League, vice department director of the C.C., WPK, chief secretary of the North Hwanghae Provincial Committee of the WPK and secretary of the C.C., WPK.

Now director of the General Political Bureau of the KPA since April 2012.

Kim Jong Gak, member of the Political Bureau

Born in Jungsan County, South Phyongan Province, on July 20, 1941.

Joined the KPA in August 1959.

Graduated from Kim Il Sung Military University.

He was a battalion commander, vice commander of a corps, chief of staff and director of a training center, vice-minister of the People's Armed Forces and first vice director of the General Political Bureau of the KPA.

Now minister of the People's Armed Forces since April 2012.

Jang Song Thaek, member of the Political Bureau

Born in Chongam District, Chongjin City, North Hamgyong Province on Jan. 22, 1946.

Graduated from Kim Il Sung University.

He was instructor of the Pyongyang City Committee of the WPK, instructor, vice section chief, section chief, vice department director, first vice department director and department director of the C.C., the WPK

Now vice-chairman of the DPRK National Defence Commission and director of the Administration Department of the C.C., WPK since June, 2010.

Pak To Chun, member of the Political Bureau

Born in Rangrim County, Jagang Province on March 9, 1944.

Joined the KPA in October 1960.

Graduated from Kim Il Sung Higher Party School.

He was secretary of the party committee of a mine, instructor, vice section chief and section chief of the C.C., the WPK, secretary and concurrently department director of a provincial party committee and chief secretary of the Jagang Provincial Committee of the WPK

Now secretary of the C.C., the WPK since September 2010.

Hyon Chol Hae, member of the Political Bureau

Born in Kyongsong County, North Hamgyong Province on August 13, 1934.

Joined the KPA in July 1950.

Graduated from a university as ship engineer.

He was instructor in charge and director of the Organizational Department of the General Political Bureau of the KPA, director of the Political Department of a corps, director the General Logistic Bureau and vice director of the General Political Bureau of the KPA, director of the Political Department and concurrently director of the General Affairs Bureau of the DPRK National Defence Commission.

Now first vice-minister and concurrently director of the General Logistic Bureau of the People's Armed Forces since April 2012.

Kim Won Hong, member of the Political Bureau

Born in Sungho County, North Hwanghae Province on July 17, 1945.

Joined the KPA in Nov 1962.

Graduated from Kim Il Sung Higher Party School.

He was instructor, section chief and vice department director of the General Political Bureau of the KPA, political commissar and commander of a corps and vice director of the Organizational Department of the General Political Bureau of the KPA.

Now minister of State Security since April, 2012.

Ri Myong Su, member of the Political Bureau

Born in Myongchon County, North Hamgyong Province on Feb. 20, 1934

Joined the KPA in July 1950.

Graduated from Kim Il Sung Military University.

He was director of the operational department of a corps, its chief of staff and commander, first vice-chief of the General Staff and concurrently its operational director and director of the Administration Affairs Bureau of the NDC.

Now minister of People's Security since April 2011

Kwak Pom Gi, alternate member of the Political Bureau

Born in Riwon County, South Hamgyong Province on Nov. 20, 1939.

Graduated from Kim Il Sung University as planning economist.

He was manager of the branch factory of the Huichon Machine Tool Factory, first vice-minister and minister of Machine Industry, vice- premier of the Cabinet and chief secretary of the South Hamgyong Provincial Committee of the WPK.

Now secretary of the C.C., the WPK since April 2012.

O Kuk Ryol, alternate member of the Political Bureau

Born in Onsong County, North Hamgyong Province on Jan. 7, 1930.

Joined the KPA in May 1949.

Graduated from Air Force University.

He was vice-commander of the Air Force Command, rector of Air Force University, commander of the Air Force, chief of the General Staff of the KPA and department director of the C.C., the WPK.

Now vice-chairman of the DPRK National Defence Commission since February 2009.

Ro Tu Chol, alternate member of the Political Bureau

Born in Hungdok District, Hamhung City, South Hamgyong Province on Oct. 2, 1950.

Graduated from Kim Chaek University of Technology as fluid machine engineer.

He was instructor, vice department director and department director and vice-chairman of the State Planning Commission and vice-premier of the Cabinet.

Now vice-premier of the Cabinet and concurrently chairman of the State Planning Commission since April 2009.

Ri Pyong Sam, alternate member of the Political Bureau

Born in Mundok County, South Phyongan Province on July 1, 1935.

Graduated from Kim Il Sung Military University.

He was instructor, vice director and director of the Political Department of a corps and its political commissar, vice-director of the General Political Bureau of the KPA and vice department director of the C.C., the WPK.

Now director of the Political Bureau of the Korean People's Internal Security Forces and concurrently chief secretary of its party committee since May 2009.

Jo Yon Jun, alternate member of the Political Bureau

Born in Kowon County, South Hamgyong Province on Sept. 28, 1937.

Joined the KPA in August 1954.

Graduated from Kim Il Sung University as political and economic expert.

He was senior teacher at Kim Il Sung University, instructor, vice section chief and section chief of the C.C., the WPK, organizational secretary of the South Hamgyong Provincial Committee of the WPK and vice department director of the C.C., the WPK.

Now first vice department director of the Organizational Leadership Department of the C.C., the WPK since Jan 2012.