If you’re looking for the North Korea president name, you might be surprised to find that, technically, the country doesn't have a "President" in the way we usually think about it. It’s weird. Honestly, it's one of those things that sounds like a trivia trick, but it actually tells you everything you need to know about how that country runs.
Kim Jong Un is the guy everyone is thinking of. He is the face of the nation, the man in the headlines, and the one holding the nuclear codes. But if you called him "President Kim" in Pyongyang, you’d get some very confused—or very terrified—looks.
The Man Behind the Titles
So, if he isn't the President, what is he?
✨ Don't miss: The Senate Whip: Why This Stressful Job Actually Runs Washington
As of early 2026, his primary official title is General Secretary of the Workers' Party of Korea. He’s also the President of the State Affairs Commission.
Wait, didn't I just say he wasn't the President?
Here's the catch: in North Korean politics, "President" is a title mostly reserved for the dead. Kim Il Sung, the current leader's grandfather, was declared the "Eternal President" after he passed away. It’s like the ultimate "Employee of the Month" award that never expires. Because the grandfather is still technically the "Eternal President," no one else can officially use that specific, standalone title.
It’s kinda like a family business where the founder's office is kept exactly as he left it, and no one else is allowed to sit in his chair, even thirty years later.
Why the name Kim Jong Un matters right now
Kim Jong Un took over in late 2011 after his father, Kim Jong Il, died of a heart attack. At the time, people thought he was too young. Too inexperienced. Some analysts even predicted the whole system would collapse within months.
They were wrong.
He didn't just survive; he consolidated power with a ruthlessness that caught the world off guard. He’s now been in power for over fourteen years. In that time, he’s moved the country from a "military-first" policy to a focus on becoming a recognized nuclear power.
The Mystery of the "President" Title
You’ll often see Western media use the term "North Korean President" just because it’s easier for a global audience to understand. We like labels. We like "President," "Prime Minister," or "King." But North Korea operates on a system called Suryeong, which basically means "Supreme Leader."
It’s more than just a job title. It’s a quasi-religious status.
A shift in 2026
Lately, things have been changing in how the state talks about him. In recent months leading into 2026, North Korean state media has been leaning heavily on the title "Great Comrade." Why the shift?
Experts like those at 38 North or the Council on Foreign Relations suggest this is about stepping out of the shadows of his father and grandfather. By using new titles, he’s signaling that his era—the "Kim Jong Un era"—is its own distinct thing. He isn't just the grandson of the founder anymore; he is the architect of the new North Korea.
Who is Next? The Ju Ae Factor
If you’re searching for the North Korea president name because you’re curious about the future of the dynasty, you have to look at Kim Ju Ae.
She’s his daughter. She’s roughly 13 years old.
Lately, she’s been everywhere. She’s at missile launches. She’s at New Year’s celebrations. She’s standing right next to her father while generals bow. This is a huge deal because North Korea has never had a female leader, and the "Kim bloodline" (the Paektu bloodline) is the only thing that grants legitimacy in their system.
Is she the next "President"? It’s too early to say for sure, but the breadcrumbs are definitely being dropped.
What Most People Get Wrong About the Name
- The Spelling: You’ll see it as Kim Jong Un, Kim Jong-un, or even Kim Jong-eun. They’re all just different ways of translating Korean characters into English.
- The Order: In Korea, the family name comes first. Kim is the last name. Jong Un is the given name.
- The Other "President": There is a guy named Choe Ryong Hae who is the President of the Presidium of the Supreme People's Assembly. He handles the boring stuff, like receiving credentials from foreign ambassadors. He has "President" in his title, but he has almost zero actual power compared to Kim.
Making Sense of the North Korean Leadership
Understanding the North Korea president name isn't just about getting a trivia answer right. It’s about realizing that in Pyongyang, words are weapons. Titles are carefully curated to project strength, tradition, and absolute control.
If you’re trying to keep track of what’s happening in that part of the world, don't just look for the word "President." Look for who the media calls the "Respected Comrade" or the "Marshal."
Actionable Insights for Following North Korean News:
- Check the source: If an article calls him "President Kim," it’s likely using Western shorthand. If it calls him "General Secretary," it’s using his actual political rank.
- Watch the photos: In North Korean politics, who is standing closest to Kim Jong Un in photos is usually more important than what their official title is.
- Follow the Ninth Party Congress: Scheduled for early 2026, this meeting will likely formalize even more new titles for Kim, further cementing his "Great Comrade" status over his predecessors.
- Keep an eye on Kim Yo Jong: His sister. She doesn't have the "President" title either, but she’s arguably the most powerful woman in the country and often acts as the "bad cop" in international diplomacy.
The political landscape in Pyongyang is a moving target. While the names stay the same, the power behind the titles is always shifting. Basically, if you remember the name Kim Jong Un, you’ve got the most important part of the puzzle. Just don't expect to see it on a "President" nameplate anytime soon.