List of Presidents of North Korea: Past and Present

Last updated November 2026

This page lists the presidents and heads of state of North Korea from 1972 to the present, with the years each leader was in office and a short summary of their time in power. Use it to find the current president of North Korea, former presidents, and key dates in the country's political history.

Current president of North Korea: Kim Jong Un (in office since 2011). North Korea has no office titled president at present: the 1998 constitution made Kim Il Sung the 'eternal president'. The head of state is Kim Jong Un as president of the State Affairs Commission, a post the 2019 constitutional revision defined as representing the state. Earlier nominal heads of state, who chaired the legislature's presidium, are listed with that explained.

Presidents of North Korea in order, with years in office

Kim Il Sung

Served: 1972–1994

Founder of North Korea, premier from 1948 and president from 1972 until his death in July 1994; the 1998 constitution named him 'eternal president'.

Kim Jong Il

Served: 1994–2011

Son of Kim Il Sung; he ruled as chairman of the National Defence Commission and never held the presidency, and died in December 2011.

Kim Yong-nam

Served: 1998–2019

President of the Presidium of the Supreme People's Assembly, the nominal head of state who received foreign ambassadors.

Kim Jong Un

Served: 2011–present

Became supreme leader in December 2011 and president of the State Affairs Commission in 2016; the Supreme People's Assembly reappointed him on 22 March 2026.

Choe Ryong-hae

Served: 2019–2026

Succeeded Kim Yong-nam as the nominal head of state as chair of the Supreme People's Assembly presidium; Jo Yong-won replaced him as chairman of its Standing Committee in March 2026.

Frequently asked questions about the presidents of North Korea

Who is the current president of North Korea?

The current head of state of North Korea is Kim Jong Un, in office since 2011. North Korea has no office titled president at present: the 1998 constitution made Kim Il Sung the 'eternal president'. The head of state is Kim Jong Un as president of the State Affairs Commission, a post the 2019 constitutional revision defined as representing the state. Earlier nominal heads of state, who chaired the legislature's presidium, are listed with that explained.

Who were the previous presidents of North Korea?

The presidents and heads of state of North Korea listed on this page, in order, are: Kim Il Sung, Kim Jong Il, Kim Yong-nam, Kim Jong Un, Choe Ryong-hae.

Who was the first president of North Korea?

Kim Il Sung was the first president of North Korea, in office 1972–1994.

Sources: Wikipedia, Heads of state of North Korea; KCNA reports carried by Reuters, Anadolu, AFP and TRT on the 22 March 2026 session of the Supreme People's Assembly; CBC and Daily NK reports (checked Nov 2026). Listed from the creation of the presidency in 1972; earlier nominal heads of state are not listed.. Last reviewed November 2026.

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