General Political Bureau of the Korean People's Army

The General Political Bureau (GPB) is a department of the Ministry of Defence, used by the leadership of the North Korean government to exert political control over the Korean People's Army (KPA). The GPB operates under the direction of the Central Military Commission of the Workers' Party of Korea.^[1] The GPB controls units of the KPA on all levels down to company level. It primarily exerts control through propaganda, education, and cultural activities. Under directions of the State Affairs Commission of North Korea, it also controls troop movements.^[2]

As of January 2023^[update], the Director of the General Political Bureau is Jong Kyong-thaek, who succeeded Kwon Yong-jin.