Until April 1956, the Politburo was known as the Political Council. After
Kim Il Sung's unitary ruling system was established in the 1960s, the Politburo was transformed from a decision-making body where policies could be discussed into a
rubber stamp body. Leading members have disappeared without explanation; the last was
Kim Tong-gyu, in 1977. Politburo members under Kim Il Sung and Kim Jong Il lacked a strong power base, and depended on the party leader for their position. Because of this, the Politburo became a loyal servant of the party leader. The Politburo Standing Committee (PSC) of the Workers' Party of Korea was established at the 6th Congress in 1980, and became the highest WPK body when the Politburo and the Central Committee were not in session. With the death of
O Jin-u in 1995, Kim Jong Il remained the only member of the Politburo Standing Committee still alive; the four others (Kim Il Sung,
Kim Il, O Jin-u, and
Ri Jong-ok) died in office. Between O Jin-u's death and the 3rd Conference, there were no reports indicating that Kim Jong Il or the central party leadership was planning to renew the PSC composition. Similar to the Central Committee, the Politburo was dormant during much of Kim Jong Il's rule; however, the 3rd Conference elected new Politburo members. While many foreign observers believed it would signify a generational shift, it did not; the youngest member was 53 years old, and the average age was 74 (with 12 over age 80). The majority of new members were aides to Kim Jong Il or
Kim family members.
Kim Kyong-hui (Kim Jong Il's sister) and
Jang Song-thaek (Kim Kyong-hui's husband) were appointed full and candidate member, respectively. Several of Jang's protégés were elected candidate members, including
Ju Sang-song (
Minister of People's Security),
U Tong-chuk (First Deputy Director of the
State Security Department) and
Choe Ryong-hae (Secretary for Military Affairs).
Pak Jong-su (First Deputy Head of the Organization and Guidance Department), a leading facilitator of Kim Jong Un's succession, was appointed a candidate member. Most of the new members were cabinet members, military officials, party secretaries or officials from the security establishment. Ten members from the
National Defense Commission and three deputy premiers were appointed to the Politbüro. Leading economic experts (such as
Hong Sok-yong and
Tae Jong-su) and foreign experts (such as
Kang Sok-ju,
Kim Yong-il and
Kim Yang-gon) became members. At the 4th Conference, one-third of the Politburo was dismissed in unannounced retirements and dismissals. Jang Song-thaek,
Pak To-chun and
Vice Marshal Kim Jong-gak were promoted from candidate to full membership;
Hyon Chol-hae,
Kim Won-hong and
Ri Myong-su, all members of the Central Military Commission, were appointed to full Politburo membership. ==Role==