Socialist Constitution of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (1972)

For works with similar titles, see Constitution of North Korea.

SOCIALIST CONSTITUTION OF THE DEMOCRATIC PEOPLE'S REPUBLIC OF KOREA

Adopted on 27 December 1972 by the Fifth Supreme People's Assembly of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea at its first session.

Chapter I. Politics

Article 1. The Democratic People's Republic of Korea is an independent socialist state representing the interests of all the Korean people.

Article 2. The Democratic People's Republic of Korea rests on the politico-ideological unity of the entire people, based on the worker-peasant alliance led by the working class, on the socialist relations of production, and the foundation of an independent national economy.

Article 3. The Democratic People's Republic of Korea is a revolutionary state power which has inherited the brilliant traditions formed during the glorious revolutionary struggle against the imperialist aggressors and for the liberation of the homeland and for the freedom and well-being of the people.

Article 4. The Democratic People's Republic of Korea is guided in its activity by the Chuch'e idea of the Workers' Party of Korea, a creative application of Marxism-Leninism to the conditions of our country.

Article 5. The Democratic People's Republic of Korea strives to achieve the complete victory of socialism in the northern half, drive out foreign forces on a national scale, reunify the country peacefully on a democratic basis, and attain complete national independence.

Article 6. In the Democratic People's Republic of Korea, class antagonisms and all forms of exploitation and oppression of man by man have been eliminated for ever.

The state defends and protects the interests of the workers, peasants, soldiers, and working intellectuals freed from exploitation and oppression.

Article 7. The sovereignty of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea rests with the workers, peasants, soldiers, and working intellectuals.

The working people exercise power through their representative organs—the Supreme People's Assembly and local People's Assemblies at all levels.

Article 8. The organs of state power at all levels from the county People's Assembly to the Supreme People's Assembly are elected on the principle of universal, equal, and direct suffrage by secret ballot.

Deputies to the organs of state power at all levels are accountable to the electors for their activities.

Article 9. All state organs in the Democratic People's Republic of Korea are formed and run in accordance with the principle of democratic centralism.

Article 10. The Democratic People's Republic of Korea exercises the dictatorship of the proletariat and pursues class and mass lines.

Article 11. The state defends the socialist system against the subversive activities of hostile elements at home and abroad and revolutionizes and working-classizes the whole of society by intensifying the ideological revolution.

Article 12. The state thoroughly applies in all its work the great Chōngsan ri spirit and Chōngsan ri method to guarantee that the higher bodies help the lower, the masses' opinions are respected, and their conscious enthusiasm is roused by giving priority to political work, work with people.

Article 13. The Chollima Movement in the Democratic People's Republic of Korea is the general line in the building of socialism.

The state accelerates socialist construction to the maximum by constantly developing the Chollima Movement in depth and breadth.

Article 14. The Democratic People's Republic of Korea is based on the all-people, nationwide system of defense, and carries through a self-defensive military line.

It is the mission of the Armed Forces of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea to protect the interests of the workers, peasants, and other working people, to defend the socialist system and revolutionary gains, and to safeguard the freedom and independence of the country and peace.

Article 15. The Democratic People's Republic of Korea protects the democratic, national rights of Koreans overseas and their legitimate rights under international law.

Article 16. The Democratic People's Republic of Korea is completely equal and independent in its relations with foreign countries.

The state establishes diplomatic as well as political, economic, and cultural relations with all friendly countries, on the principles of complete equality, independence, mutual respect, noninterference in each other's internal affairs, and mutual benefit.

The state, in accordance with the principles of Marxism-Leninism and proletarian internationalism, unites with the socialist countries, unites with all peoples of the world opposed to imperialism, and actively supports and encourages their national-liberation and revolutionary struggles.

Article 17. The law of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea reflects the will and interests of the workers, peasants, and other working people, and it is consciously observed by all state organs, enterprises, social cooperative organizations, and citizens.

Chapter II. The Economy

Article 18. In the Democratic People's Republic of Korea, the means of production are owned by the state and cooperative organizations.

Article 19. The property of the state belongs to the whole people.

The state may own property without limit.

All natural resources of the country, major factories and enterprises, ports, banks, transport and communication establishments are owned solely by the state.

State property plays a leading role in the economic development of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea.

Article 20. The property of cooperative organizations is collectively owned by the working people involved in the cooperative economy.

Land, draught animals, farm implements, fishing boats, buildings, as well as small and medium factories and enterprises may be owned by cooperative organiztions.

The state protects the property of cooperative organizations by law.

Article 21. The state strengthens and develops the socialist cooperative economic system and gradually transforms the property of cooperative organizations into the property of all the people on the basis of the voluntary will of the entire membership.

Article 22. Personal property is property for the personal use of the working people.

The personal property of the working people is derived from socialist distribution according to work done and from additional benefits granted by the state and society.

The products from the inhabitants' supplementary husbandry, including those from the small plots of cooperative farmers, are also personal property.

The state protects the working people's personal property by law and guarantees their right to inherit it.

Article 23. The state regards it as the supreme principle of its activities to steadily improve the material and cultural standards of the people.

The constantly increasing material wealth of society in the Democratic People's Republic of Korea is used entirely to promote the well-being of the working people.

Article 24. The foundation of an independent national economy in the Democratic People's Republic of Korea is the material guarantee of the prosperity and development of the country, and the improvement of the people's well-being.

In the Democratic People's Republic of Korea, the historic task of industrialization has been accomplished successfully.

The state strives to consolidate and develop the successes in industrialization and to further strengthen the material and technical foundations of socialism.

Article 25. The state accelerates the technical revolution to eliminate the distinctions between heavy and light labor and between agricultural and industrial labor, to free the working people from arduous labor, and to gradually narrow the difference between physical and mental labor.

Article 26. The state enhances the role of the country and strengthens its guidance and assistance to the countryside in order to eliminate the difference between town and country and class distinction between workers and peasants.

The state undertakes at its own expense the building of production facilities for the cooperative farms and modern houses in the countryside.

Article 27. The working masses are the makers of history. Socialism and communism are built by the creative labor of millions of working people.

All the working people of the country take part in labor, and work for the country and the people and for their own benefit by displaying conscious enthusiasm and creativity.

The state correctly applies the socialist principle of distribution according to the quantity and quality of work done, while constantly raising the political and ideological consciousness of the working people.

Article 28. The working day is eight hours. The state reduces the length of the working day for arduous trades and other special categories of work.

The state guarantees that working hours are fully utilized through the proper organization of labor and the strengthening of labor discipline.

Article 29. In the Democratic People's Republic of Korea, the minimum age for starting work is 16 years.

The state prohibits the employment of children under working age.

Article 30. The state directs and manages the nation's economy through the Taean work system, an advanced socialist form of economic management whereby the economy is operated and managed scientifically and rationally on the basis of the collective strength of the producer masses, and through the new system of agricultural guidance whereby agricultural management is done by industrial methods.

Article 31. The national economy of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea is a planned economy.

In accordance with the laws of economic development of socialism, the state draws up and carries out the plans for the development of the national economy so that the balance of accumulation and consumption can be maintained correctly, economic construction accelerated, the people's living standards steadily raised, and the nation's defense potential strenghtened.

The state ensures a high rate of growth in production and a proportionate development of the national economy by implementing a policy of unified and detailed planning.

Article 32. The Democratic People's Republic of Korea compiles and implements the state budget according to the national economic development plan.

The state systematically increases its accumulation and expands and develops socialist property by intensifying the struggle for increased production and economy, and by exercising strict financial control in all fields.

Article 33. The state abolishes taxation, a holdover of the old society.

Article 34. In the Democratic People's Republic of Korea, foreign trade is conducted by the state or under its supervision.

The state develops foreign trade on the principles of complete equality and mutual benefit.

The state pursues a tariff policy in order to protect the independent national economy.

Chapter III. Culture

Article 35. In the Democratic People's Republic of Korea, all people study and a social national culture flourishes and develops fully.

Article 36. The Democratic People's Republic of Korea, by thoroughly carrying out the cultural revolution, trains all the working people to be builders of socialism and communism who are equipped with a profound knowledge of nature and society, and a high level of culture and technology.

Article 37. The Democratic People's Republic of Korea builds a true people's revolutionary culture which serves the socialist working people.

In building a socialist national culture, the state opposes the cultural infiltration of imperialism and the tendency to return to the past, and protects the heritage of national culture and takes over and develops it in keeping with socialist reality.

Article 38. The state eliminates the way of life left over from the old society and introduces the new socialist way of life in all fields.

Article 39. The state carries into effect the principles of socialist pedagogy and brings up the rising generation to be steadfast revolutionaries who fight for society and the people, to be men of a new communist mould who are knowledgeable, virtuous, and healthy.

Article 40. The state gives top priority to public education and the training of cadres for the nation, and blends general education with technological education, and education with productive labor.

Article 41. The state introduces universal compulsory ten-year senior middle school education for all young people under working age.

The state grants to all pupils and students education free of charge.

Article 42. The state trains competent technicians and experts by developing the general educational system, as well as different forms of part-time education for those at work.

Students of higher educational institutions and higher specialized schools are granted scholarships.

Article 43. The state gives all children a compulsory one-year preschool education.

The state brings up all children of preschool age in crèches and kindergartens at state and public expense.

Article 44. The state accelerates the nation's scientific and technological progress by thoroughly establishing Chuch'e in scientific research and strengthening creative cooperation between scientists and producers.

Article 45. The state develops a Chuch'e-oriented, revolutionary literature and art, national in form and socialist in content.

The state encourages the creative activities of writers and artists, and draws the broad masses of workers, farmers, and other working people into literary and artistic activities.

Article 46. The state safeguards our language from the policy of the imperialists and their stooges aimed at destroying it, and develops it to meet present-day needs.

Article 47. The state steadily improves the physical fitness of the working people.

The state fully prepares the entire people for work and national defense by popularizing physical culture and sports and developing physical training for national defense.

Article 48. The state consolidates and develops the system of universal free medical service and pursues a policy of preventive medical care so as to protect people's lives and promote the health of the working people.

Chapter IV. Fundamental Rights and Duties of Citizens

Article 49. In the Democratic People's Republic of Korea, the rights and duties of citizens are based on the collectivist principle of "One for all and all for one".

Article 50. The state effectively guarantees genuine democratic rights and liberties, as well as the material and cultural well-being of all citizens.

In the Democratic People's Republic of Korea, the rights and freedoms of citizens increase with the consolidation and development of the socialist system.

Article 51. Citizens all enjoy equal rights in the political, economic, and cultural and all other spheres of state and public activity.

Article 52. All citizens who have reached the age of 17 have the right to elect and to be elected, irrespective of sex, race, occupation, length of residence, property status, education, party affiliation, political views, and religion.

Citizens serving in the Armed Forces also have the right to elect and to be elected.

Those who are deprived by a court decision of the right to vote and insane persons are denied the right to elect and to be elected.

Article 53. Citizens have freedom of speech, the press, assembly, association, and of demonstration.

The state guarantees conditions for the free activities of democratic political parties and social organizations.

Article 54. Citizens have freedom of religious belief and freedom of anti-religious propaganda.

Article 55. Citizens are entitled to make complaints and submit petitions.

Article 56. Citizens have the right to work.

All able-bodied citizens can choose occupations according to their desire and skills, and are provided with stable jobs and working conditions.

Citizens work according to their ability and receive remuneration according to the quantity and quality of work done.

Article 57. Citizens have the right to rest. This right is ensured by the eight-hour working day, paid leave, accommodation at health resorts and holiday homes at state expense, and by an ever-expanding network of cultural facilities.

Article 58. Citizens are entitled to free medical care, and persons who have lost the ability to work because of old age, sickness, or deformity, old people, and children without supporters have the right to material assistance. This right is ensured by free medical care, a growing network of hospitals, sanatoria, and other medical institutions, and the state social insurance and security system.

Article 59. Citizens have the right to education. This right is ensured by an advanced educational system, free compulsory education, and other state educational measures for the people.

Article 60. Citizens have freedom of scientific, literary, and artistic pursuits.

The state grants benefits to innovators and inventors.

Copyright and patent rights are protected by law.

Article 61. Revolutionary fighters, the families of revolutionary and patriotic martyrs, the families of People's Armymen, and disabled soldiers enjoy the special protection of the state and society.

Article 62. Women are accorded equal social status and rights with men.

The state affords special protection to mothers and children through maternity leave, shortened working hours for mothers of large families, a wide network of maternity hospitals, creches, and kindergartens, and other measures.

The state frees women from the heavy burden of household chores and provides every condition for them to participate in public life.

Article 63. Marriage and the family are protected by the state.

The state pays great attention to consolidating the family, the cell of society.

Article 64. Citizens are guaranteed inviolability of the person and the home, and privacy of correspondence.

No citizen can be placed under arrest except by law.

Article 65. All Korean citizens in foreign lands are legally protected by the Democratic People's Republic of Korea.

Article 66. The Democratic People's Republic of Korea extends the right of asylum to foreign citizens persecuted for fighting for peace and democracy, national independence and socialism, or for the freedom of scientific and cultural pursuits.

Article 67. Citizens must strictly observe the laws of the state and the socialist norms of life and the socialist rules of conduct.

Article 68. Citizens must display a high degree of collectivist spirit.

Citizens must cherish their collective and organization, and develop the revolutionary trait of working devotedly for the good of society and the people and for the interests of the homeland and the revolution.

Article 69. It is the sacred duty and honor of citizens to work.

Citizens must voluntarily and honestly participate in work and strictly observe labor discipline and working hours.

Article 70. Citizens must take good care of state and communal property, combat all forms of misappropriation and wastage, and run the nation's economy assiduously with the attitude of masters.

The property of the state and social cooperative organizations is inviolable.

Article 71. Citizens must heighten their revolutionary vigilance against the maneuvres of the imperialists and all hostile elements opposed to our country's socialist system, and must strictly preserve state secrets.

Article 72. National defense is a supreme duty and honor for citizens.

Citizens must defend the country and serve in the army, as stipulated by law.

Treason against the country and the people is the most heinous of crimes.

Those who betray the country and the people are punished with all the severity of the law.

Chapter V. The Supreme People's Assembly

Article 73. The Supreme People's Assembly is the highest organ of state power in the Democratic People's Republic of Korea.

Legislative power is exercised exclusively by the Supreme People's Assembly.

Article 74. The Supreme People's Assembly is composed of deputies elected on the principle of universal, equal, and direct suffrage by secret ballot.

Article 75. The Supreme People's Assembly is elected for a term of four years.

A new Supreme People's Assembly is elected according to the decision of the Standing Committee of the Supreme People's Assembly prior to the expiry of its term of office. When unavoidable circumstances render the election impossible, the term of office is prolonged until the election.

Article 76. The Supreme People's Assembly has the authority to:

(1) adopt or amend the Constitution, laws, and ordinances;

(2) establish the basic principles of domestic and foreign policies of the state;

(3) elect the President of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea;

(4) elect or recall the Vice-Presidents of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea, and the Secretary and members of the Central People's Committee on the recommendation of the President of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea;

(5) elect or recall members of the Standing Committee of the Supreme People's Assembly;

(6) elect or recall the Premier of the Administration Council on the recommendation of the President of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea;

(7) elect or recall the Vice-Chairmen of the National Defense Commission on the recommendation of the President of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea;

(8) elect or recall the President of the Central Court, and appoint or remove the Procurator General of the Central Procurator's Office.

(9) approve the state plan for the development of the national economy;

(10) approve the state budget;

(11) decide on questions of war and peace.

Article 77. The Supreme People's Assembly holds regular and extraordinary sessions.

The regular session is convened once or twice a year by the Standing Committee of the Supreme People's Assembly.

The extraordinary session is convened when the Standing Committee of the Supreme People's Assembly deems it necessary, or at the request of a minimum of one-third of the total number of deputies.

Article 78. The Supreme People's Assembly needs more than half the total number of deputies to meet.

Article 79. The Supreme People's Assembly elects its Chairman and Vice-Chairmen.

The Chairman presides over the session.

Article 80. Items to be considered at the Supreme People's Assembly are submitted by the President of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea, the Central People's Committee, the Standing Committee of the Supreme People's Assembly, and the Administration Council. Items can also be presented by deputies.

Article 81. The first session of the Supreme People's Assembly elects a Credentials Committee and on hearing the Committee's report, adopts a decision confirming the credentials of deputies.

Article 82. The laws, ordinances, and decisions of the Supreme People's Assembly are adopted when more than half of the deputies present give approval by a show of hands.

The Constitution is adopted or amended with the approval of more than two-thirds of the total number of deputies to the Supreme People's Assembly.

Article 83. The Supreme People's Assembly can appoint a Budget Committee, a Bills Committee, and other necessary Committees.

The Committees of the Supreme People's Assembly assist in the work of the Supreme People's Assembly.

Article 84. Deputies to the Supreme People's Assembly are guaranteed inviolability as such.

No deputy to the Supreme People's Assembly can be arrested without the consent of the Supreme People's Assembly or, when it is not in session, without the consent of its Standing Committee.

Article 85. The Standing Committee of the Supreme People's Assembly is a permanent body of the Supreme People's Assembly.

Article 86. The Standing Committee of the Supreme People's Assembly consists of the Chairman, Vice-Chairmen, Secretary, and members.

The Chairman and Vice-Chairmen of the Supreme People's Assembly are concurrently the Chairman and Vice-Chairmen of its Standing Committee.

Article 87. The Standing Committee of the Supreme People's Assembly has the duties and authority to:

(1) examine and decide on bills in the intervals between sessions of the Supreme People's Assembly and obtain the approval of the next session of the Supreme People's Assembly;

(2) amend current laws and ordinances when the Supreme People's Assembly is not in session and obtain the approval of the next session of the Supreme People's Assembly;

(3) interpret current laws and ordinances;

(4) convene the session of the Supreme People's Assembly;

(5) conduct the election of deputies to the Supreme People's Assembly;

(6) work with the deputies to the Supreme People's Assembly;

(7) work with the Committees of the Supreme People's Assembly;

(8) organize the elections of deputies to the local People's Assemblies;

(9) elect or recall the judges and people's assessors of the Central Court.

Article 88. The Standing Committee of the Supreme People's Assembly adopts decisions.

Chapter VI. The President of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea

Article 89. The President of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea is the Head of State and represents state power in the Democratic People's Republic of Korea.

Article 90. The President of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea is elected by the Supreme People's Assembly.

The term of office of the President of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea is four years.

Article 91. The President of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea directly guides the Central People's Committee.

Article 92. The President of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea, when necessary, convenes and presides over meetings of the Administration Council.

Article 93. The President of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea is the supreme commander of all the Armed Forces of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea and the Chairman of the National Defense Commission, and commands all the Armed Forces of the state.

Article 94. The President of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea promulgates the laws and ordinances of the Supreme People's Assembly, the decrees of the Central People's Committee, and the decisions of the Standing Committee of the Supreme People's Assembly.

The President of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea issues edicts.

Article 95. The President of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea exercises the right of granting special pardon.

Article 96. The President of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea ratifies or abrogates treaties concluded with other countries.

Article 97. The President of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea receives the letters of credence and recall of diplomatic representatives accredited by foreign states.

Article 98. The President of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea is accountable to the Supreme People's Assembly for his activities.

Article 99. The Vice-Presidents of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea assist the President in his work.

Chapter VII. The Central People's Committee

Article 100. The Central People's Committee is the highest leadership organ of state power in the Democratic People's Republic of Korea.

Article 101. The Central People's Committee is headed by the President of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea.

Article 102. The Central People's Committee consists of the President and Vice-Presidents of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea and the Secretary and members of the Central People's Committee.

The term of office of the Central People's Committee is four years.

Article 103. The Central People's Committee has the duties and authority to:

(1) draw up the domestic and foreign policies of the state;

(2) direct the work of the Administration Council and the local People's Assemblies and People's Committees;

(3) direct the work of judicial and procuratorial organs;

(4) guide the work of national defense and state political security;

(5) ensure the observance of the Constitution, the laws and ordinances of the Supreme People's Assembly, the edicts of the President of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea, and the decrees, decisions, and directives of the Central People's Committee, and annul the decisions and directives of state organs which contravene them;

(6) establish or abolish ministries, respective executive bodies of the Administration Council;

(7) appoint or remove Vice-Premiers, Ministers, and other members of the Administration Council;

(8) appoint or recall ambassadors and ministers;

(9) appoint or remove high-ranking officers and confer military titles of generals;

(10) institute decorations, titles of honor, military titles, and diplomatic ranks, and confer decorations and titles of honor;

(11) grant general amnesties;

(12) institute or change administrative districts;

(13) proclaim a state of war and issue orders for mobilization in case of emergency.

Article 104. The Central People's Committee adopts decrees and decisions and issues directives.

Article 105. The Central People's Committee establishes a Domestic Policy Commission, a Foreign Policy Commission, a National Defense Commission, a Justice and Security Commission, and other respective Commissions to assist it in its work.

The members of the Commissions of the Central People's Committee are appointed or removed by the Central People's Committee.

Article 106. The Central People's Committee is accountable to the Supreme People's Assembly for its activities.

Chapter VIII. The Administration Council

Article 107. The Administration Council is the administrative and executive body of the highest organ of state power.

The Administration Council works under the guidance of the President of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea and the Central People's Committee.

Article 108. The Administration Council consists of the Premier, Vice-Premiers, Ministers, and other necessary members.

Article 109. The Administration Council has the duties and authority to:

(1) direct the work of ministries, organs directly under its authority, and local administrative committees;

(2) establish or abolish organs directly under its authority;

(3) draft the state plan for the development of the national economy and adopt measures to put into effect;

(4) compile the state budget and adopt measures to implement it;

(5) organize and execute the work of industry, agriculture, domestic and foreign trade, construction, transport, communications, land administration, municipal administration, science, education, culture, health services, etc.;

(6) adopt measures to strengthen the monetary and banking system;

(7) conclude treaties with foreign countries and conduct external affairs;

(8) build up the people's Armed Forces;

(9) adopt measures to maintain public order, to protect the interests of the state, and to safeguard the rights of citizens;

(10) annul the decisions and directives of the state administrative organs which run counter to the decisions and directives of the Administration Council.

Article 110. The Administration Council convenes the Plenary Meeting and the Permanent Commission.

The Plenary Meeting consists of all members of the Administration Council. The Permanent Commission consists of the Premier, Vice-Premiers, and other members of the Administration Council appointed by the Premier.

Article 111. The Plenary Meeting of the Administration Council discusses and decides on new, important problems arising in state administration.

The Permanent Commission of the Administration Council discusses and decides on matters entrusted to it by the Plenary Meeting of the Administration Council.

Article 112. The Administration Council adopts decisions and issues directives.

Article 113. The Administration Council is accountable for its activities to the Supreme People's Assembly, the President of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea, and the Central People's Committee.

Article 114. A ministry is a departmental executive body of the Administration Council.

A ministry issues directives.

Chapter IX. The Local People's Assembly, People's Committee, and Administrative Committee

Article 115. The People's Assembly of the province (or municipality directly under central authority), city (or district), and county is the local organ of power.

Article 116. The local People's Assembly consists of deputies elected on the principle of universal, equal, and direct suffrage by secret ballot.

Article 117. The term of office of the People's Assembly of the province (or municipality directly under central authority) is four years, and that of the People's Assembly of the city (or district) and county is two years.

Article 118. The local People's Assembly has the duties and authority to:

(1) approve the local plan for the development of the national economy;

(2) approve the local budget;

(3) elect or recall the Chairman, Vice-Chairmen, Secretary, and members of the People's Committee at the corresponding level;

(4) elect or recall the Chairman of the Administrative Committee at the corresponding level;

(5) elect or recall the judges and people's assessors of the court at the corresponding level;

(6) annul inappropriate decisions and directives of the People's Committee at the corresponding level and the People's Assemblies and People's Committees at the lower levels.

Article 119. The local People's Assembly convenes regular and extraordinary sessions.

The regular session is convened once or twice a year by the People's Committee at the corresponding level.

The extraordinary session is convened when the People's Committee at the corresponding level deems it necessary, or at the request of a minimum of one-third of the total number of deputies.

Article 120. The local People's Assembly needs more than half the total number of deputies to meet.

Article 121. The local People's Assembly elects its Chairman.

The Chairman presides over the session.

Article 122. The local People's Assembly adopts decisions.

The decision of the local People's Assembly is announced by the Chairman of the People's Committee at the corresponding level.

Article 123. The People's Committee of the province (or municipality directly under central authority), city (or district), and county exercises the function of the local organ of state power when the People's Assembly at the corresponding level is not in session.

Article 124. The local People's Committee consists of the Chairman, Vice-Chairmen, Secretary, and members.

The term of office of the local People's Committee is the same as that of the corresponding People's Assembly.

Article 125. The local People's Committee has the duties and authority to:

(1) convene the session of the People's Assembly;

(2) organize work for the election of deputies to the People's Assembly;

(3) work with the deputies to the People's Assembly;

(4) adopt measures to implement the decisions of the corresponding People's Assembly and the People's Committees at higher levels;

(5) direct the work of the Administrative Committee at the corresponding level;

(6) direct the work of the People's Committees at lower levels;

(7) direct the work of the state institutions, enterprises, and social cooperative organizations within the given area;

(8) annul inappropriate decisions and directives of the Administrative Committee at the corresponding level and the People's Committees and Administrative Committees at lower levels, and suspend the implementation of inappropriate decisions of the People's Assemblies at lower levels;

(9) appoint or remove the Vice-Chairmen, Secretary, and members of the Administrative Committee at the corresponding level.

Article 126. The local People's Committee adopts decisions and issues directives.

Article 127. The local People's Committee is accountable for its activities to the corresponding People's Assembly and to the People's Committees at higher levels.

Article 128. The Administrative Committee of the province (or municipality directly under central authority), city (or district), and county is the administrative and executive body of the local organ of state power.

Article 129. The local Administrative Committee consists of the Chairman, Vice-Chairmen, Secretary, and members.

Article 130. The local Administrative Committee has the duties and authority to:

(1) organize and carry out all administrative affairs in the given area;

(2) carry out the decisions and directives of the People's Assembly and People's Committee at the corresponding level, and of the organs at higher levels;

(3) draft the local plan for the development of the national economy, and adopt measures to implement it;

(4) compile the local budget, and adopt measures for its implementation;

(5) adopt measures to maintain public order, to protect the interests of the state, and to safeguard the rights of citizens in the given area;

(6) guide the work of the Administrative Committees at lower levels;

(7) annul inappropriate decisions and directives of the Administrative Committees at lower levels.

Article 131. The local Administrative Committee adopts decisions and issues directives.

Article 132. The local Administrative Committee is accountable for its activities to the People's Assembly and People's Committee at the corresponding level.

The local Administrative Committee is subordinate to the higher Administrative Committees and to the Administration Council.

Chapter X. The Courts and the Procurator's Office

Article 133. Justice is administered by the Central Court, the Court of the province (or municipality directly under central authority), the People's Courts, and the Special Court.

Judgment is rendered in the name of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea.

Article 134. The judges and people's assessors of the Central Court are elected by the Standing Committee of the Supreme People's Assembly.

The judges and people's assessors of the Court of the province (or municipality directly under central authority) and the People's Court are elected by the People's Assembly at the corresponding level.

The term of office of judges and people's assessors is the same as that of the People's Assembly at the corresponding level.

Article 135. The Chairman and judges of the Special Court are appointed or removed by the Central Court.

The people's assessors of the Special Court are elected by servicemen and employees at their respective meetings.

Article 136. The functions of the Court are to:

(1) protect through judicial activities the power of the workers and peasants and the socialist system established in the Democratic People's Republic of Korea, the property of the state and social cooperative organizations, personal rights as guaranteed by the Constitution, and the lives and property of citizens against all infringements:

(2) ensure that all state institutions, enterprises, social cooperative organizations, and citizens strictly observe state laws and actively struggle against class enemies and all law-breakers;

(3) give judgments and findings with regard to property and conduct notarial work.

Article 137. Justice is administered by the court consisting of one judge and two people's assessors. In special cases, there may be three judges.

Article 138. Court cases are heard in public and the accused is guaranteed the right of defense.

Hearings may be closed to the public as stipulated by law.

Article 139. Judicial proceedings are conducted are conducted in the Korean language.

Foreign citizens may use their own language during court proceedings.

Article 140. In administering justice, the court is independent, and judicial proceedings are carried out in strict accordance with the law.

Article 141. The Central Court is the highest judicial organ of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea.

The Central Court supervises the judicial activities of all the courts.

Article 142. The Central Court is accountable for its activities to the Supreme People's Assembly, the President of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea, and the Central People's Committee.

The Court of the province (or municipality directly under central authority) and the People's Court are accountable for their activities to their activities to their respective People's Assembly.

Article 143. Investigation and prosecution are conducted by the Central Procurator's Office, and the Procurator's Offices of the province (or municipality directly under central authority), city (or district) and county and Special Procurator's Office.

Article 144. The functions of the Procurator's Office are to:

(1) ensure the strict observance of state laws by state institutions, enterprises, social cooperative organizations, and by citizens;

(2) ensure that decisions and directives of state organs conform with the Constitution, the laws and ordinances of the Supreme People's Assembly, the edicts of the President of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea, the decrees, decisions, and directives of the Central People's Committee, the decisions of the Standing Committee of the Supreme People's Assembly, and with the decisions and directives of the Administration Council;

(3) expose and institute legal proceedings against criminals and offenders so as to safeguard the power of the workers and peasants and the socialist system from all forms of encroachment, and protect the property of the state and social cooperative organizations and personal rights as guaranteed by the Constitution, and the lives and property of citizens.

Article 145. Investigation and prosecution are conducted under the coordinated leadership of the Central Procurator's Office, and all Procurator's Offices are subordinate to their higher offices and to the Central Procurator's Office.

Procurators are appointed or removed by the Central Procurator's Office.

Article 146. The Central Procurator's Office is accountable for its activities to the Supreme People's Assembly, the President of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea, and the Central People's Committee.

Chapter XI. The Emblem, Flag, and Capital

Article 147. The national emblem of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea is adorned with the design of a grand hydroelectric power plant under the beaming light of a five-pointed red star, ovally framed with ears of rice bound with a red band bearing the inscription "The Democratic People's Republic of Korea".

Article 148. The national flag of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea has a red panel across the middle, bordered above and below in sequence by a thin white stripe and a broad blue stripe. On the red panel near the staff is depicted a five-pointed red star within a white circle.

The ratio of width to length is 1:2.

Article 149. The capital of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea is Pyongyang.