The 1972 Constitution stated that the president was the head of state who represents the state's power. The president was the head of the
Central People's Committee which was primarily responsible for setting North Korea's domestic policies. In necessary cases, the president could also have guided the meetings of the
Administration Council. The president had the power to control the country's armed forces as the supreme commander of the armed forces and the chairman of the
National Defense Commission. The president had the power to nominate the
Vice President or Vice Presidents, the secretary general and members of the Central People's Committee and the
Premier, who were then to be elected by the Supreme People's Assembly. The president promulgated the 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 was also given the power to introduce agenda items in the sessions of the Supreme People's Assembly and to issue orders. The president was also tasked with receiving letters of credentials or recall from foreign ambassadors. The president had the power to exercise the power of special pardon. The 1992 amendment of the 1972 Constitution introduced changes to the powers of the president. The amendment no longer made it possible for the president to automatically become the chairman of the National Defense Commission, who was tasked with the control of the country's armed forces. The president's power to conclude international treaties was transferred to the Central People's Committee. Instead, the president was tasked with promulgating ratified or nullified international treaties. The president was given the additional power to appoint or recall the country's ambassadors and ministers to other countries, which was a power that previously belonged to the Central People's Committee. In practice, Kim derived most of his power from his post as leader of the WPK. ==List of presidents==