List of Kim Jong-il's titles
# List of Kim Jong-il's titles

Kim Jong-il, former leader of North Korea, received numerous titles during his rule. Despite his death in 2011, he is currently the Eternal Chairman of the National Defense Commission of the Republic.

## Usage of North Korean media

When he is mentioned in North Korean media and publications, he is most commonly referred to as "Great Leader Comrade Kim Jong-il" (Korean:위대한 령도자 김정일동지) or "General" (Korean: 장군님).

Like his father and son, when his name is written, it is always emphasised by a special bold font or in a larger font size, for example: "The great leader Comrade Kim Jong-il provides on-the-spot guidance to the Ragwon Machine Complex." or "The great leader Comrade Kim Jong-il provides on-the-spot guidance to the Ragwon Machine Complex."

## List of official titles and offices

### Official titles

| Chosŏn'gŭl (Hancha) | DPRK McCune–Reischauer | English | Comment |
| - | - | - | - |
| 조선로동당의 영원한 총비서 | Yŏngwŏnhan Tang Chongpisŏ | Eternal General Secretary of the Workers' Party of Korea | Appointed at the 4th Conference of the Workers' Party of Korea on the 11 April 2012. |
| 공화국의 영원한 국방위원회 위원장 | Gonghwagukŭi Yŏngwŏnhan Gugbangviwonhui Viwonchang | Eternal Chairman of the National Defense Commission | Appointed at the 5th Meeting of the 12th Supreme People's Assembly on the 13 April 2012. |
| 조선민주주의인민공화국 대원수 | Chosŏnminjujuŭiinmin'gonghwaguk Taewŏnsu | Generalissimo of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea | Posthumously promoted on the 14 February 2012. |

### Held offices and titles

| Chosŏn'gŭl (Hancha) | DPRK McCune–Reischauer | English | Tenure | Comment |
| - | - | - | - | - |
| Party ||||||
| 조선로동당 중앙위원회 위원 | | Member of the Central Committee of the Workers' Party of Korea | October 1972 – 17 December 2011 | Elected at the 5th Plenary Meeting of the 5th Party Central Committee. |
| 조선로동당 중앙위원회 비서 | | Secretary of the Central Committee of the Workers' Party of Korea | September 1973 – 8 October 1997 | Elected at the 7th Plenary Meeting of the 5th Party Central Committee, re-elected at the 6th Congress of the WPK. |
| 조선로동당 중앙위원회 정치위원회 위원 | | Member of the Political Committee of the Central Committee of the Workers' Party of Korea | February 1974 – October 1980 | Elected at the 8th Plenary Meeting of the 5th Party Central Committee. |
| 조선로동당 중앙위원회 정치국 상무위원회위원 | | Member of the Presidium of the Political Bureau of the Central Committee of the Workers' Party of Korea | October 1980 – 17 December 2011 | Elected at the 6th Congress of the WPK, re-elected at the 3rd Conference of the WPK. |
| 조선로동당 중앙위원회 정치국 위원 | | Member of the Political Bureau of the Central Committee of the Workers' Party of Korea | October 1980 – 17 December 2011 | Elected at the 6th Congress of the WPK, re-elected at the 3rd Conference of the WPK. |
| 조선로동당 중앙군사위원회 위원 | | Member of the Central Military Commission of the Workers' Party of Korea | October 1980 – 17 December 2011 | Elected at the 6th Congress of the WPK, re-elected at the 3rd Conference of the WPK. |
| 조선로동당 총비서 | Chosŏn Rodongdang Ch'ongbisŏ | General Secretary of the Workers' Party of Korea | 8 October 1997 – 17 December 2011 | Elected by joint notice between the Central Committee and the Central Military Commission of the WPK, re-elected at the 3rd Conference of the WPK. |
| 조선로동당 중앙군사위원회 위원장 | chosŏllodongdang chunganggunsawiwŏnhoe wiwŏnjang | Chairman of the Central Military Commission of the Workers' Party of Korea | 8 October 1997 – 17 December 2011 | |
| State ||||||
| 조선민주주의인민공화국 최고인민회의 대의원 | | Deputy to the Supreme Peoples' Assembly of the DPRK | February 1982 – 17 December 2011 | Elected to the 7th to 12th Supreme Peoples' Assembly. |
| 조선민주주의인민공화국 국방위원회 제1부위원장 | | First-vice-chairman of the National Defence Commission of the DPRK | 23 May 1990 – 9 April 1993 | Elected at the 1st session of the 9th Supreme People's Assembly. |
| 조선민주주의인민공화국 국방위원회 위원장 | Chosŏnminjujuŭiinmin'gonghwaguk Kukpangwiwŏnhoe Wiwŏnjang | Chairman of the National Defence Commission of the DPRK | 9 April 1993 – 17 December 2011 | Elected at the 5th Session of the 9th Supreme People's Assembly, re-elected at the 1st meetings of the 10th to 12th Supreme Peoples' Assembly. |
| Army ||||||
| 조선인민군 최고사령관 | Chosŏninmin-gun Ch'oegosaryŏnggwan | Supreme Commander of the Korean People's Army | 24 December 1991 – 17 December 2011 | |
| 조선민주주의인민공화국 원수 | Chosŏnminjujuŭiinmin'gonghwaguk Wŏnsu | Marshal of the DPRK | April 1992 – 14 February 2012 | |

## List of propagated titles

| Chosŏn'gŭl (Hancha) | DPRK McCune–Reischauer | English | Comment |
| - | - | - | - |
| 당중앙 (黨中央) | Tangjungang | Party Centre/Center of the Party | The first of Kim Jong-il's titles. Has been in use since 1973 after Kim was secretly appointed as his father's successor and until it was officially announced in order to mention Kim Jong-il in press without calling him by name. |
| 웃분 | Utpun | Superior Person | The title has been in use since the middle of the 1970s. |
| 친애하는 지도자 (親愛하는 指導者) | Ch'inaehanŭn chidoja | Dear Leader | This title was the most common title during Kim Il-sung's rule. |
| 존경하는 지도자 (尊敬하는 指導者) | Chon'gyŏnghanŭn chidoja | Respected Leader | The title has been in use since the middle of the 1970s. |
| 현명한 지도자 (賢明한 指導者) | Hyŏnmyŏnghan chidoja | Wise Leader | The title has been in use since the middle of the 1970s. |
| 영명하신 지도자 (英明하신 指導者) | Yŏngmyŏnghasin chidoja | Brilliant Leader | The title has been in use since the middle of the 1970s. |
| 유일한 지도자 (唯一한 指導者) | Yuilhan chidoja | Unique Leader | The title has been in use since June 1975. |
| 령도자가 갖추어야 할 풍모를 완벽하게 지닌 친애하는 지도자 (領導者가 갖추어야 할 風貌를 完璧하게 지닌 親愛하는 指導者) | Ryŏngdojaga katch'uŏya hal p'ungmorŭl wanbyŏk'age chinin ch'inaehanŭn chidoja | Dear Leader, Who is a Perfect Incarnation of the Appearance that a Leader Should Have | In use since the mid-1980s on special occasions. |
| 최고사령관 (最高司令官) | Choegosaryŏnggwan | Supreme Commander | First mentioned in the middle of the 1980s before Kim was officially appointed as Supreme Commander of the Korean People's Army. |
| 위대한 령도자 (偉大한 領導者) | Widaehan ryŏngdoja | Great Leader | The most common of current Kim Jong-il's titles. |
| 인민의 어버이 (人民의 어버이) | Inminŭi ŏbŏi | Father of the People | In use since February 1986. |
| 공산주의 미래의 태양 (共産主義 未來의 太陽) | Kongsanjuŭi miraeŭi t'aeyang | Sun of the Communist Future | In use since the middle of the 1980s. |
| 백두광명성 (百頭光明星) | Paektugwangmyŏngsŏng | Shining Star of Paektu Mountain | In use since the middle of the 1980s. |
| 향도의 해발 (嚮導의 해발) | Hyangdoŭi haepal | Guiding Sun Ray | In use since the middle of the 1980s. |
| 혁명무력의 수위 (革命武力의 首位) | Hyŏngmyŏngmuryŏgŭi suwi | Leader of the Revolutionary Armed Forces | In use since December 21, 1991, when Kim Jong-il became Supreme Commander of the Korean People's Army. |
| 조국통일의 구성 (祖國統一의 構成) | Choguk t'ongirŭi kusŏng | Guarantee of the Fatherland's Unification | In use since December 21, 1991, when Kim Jong-il became Supreme Commander of the Korean People's Army. |
| 조국 통일의 상징 (祖國 統一의 象徵) | Choguk t'ongirŭi sangjing | Symbol of the Fatherland's Unification | In use since December 21, 1991, when Kim Jong-il became Supreme Commander of the Korean People's Army. |
| 민족의 운명 (民族의 命運) | Minjokŭi Unmyŏng | Fate of the Nation | In use since December 21, 1991, when Kim Jong-il became Supreme Commander of the Korean People's Army. |
| 자애로운 아버지 (慈愛로운 아버지) | Chaaeroun Abŏji | Beloved Father | In use since December 21, 1991, when Kim Jong-il became Supreme Commander of the Korean People's Army. |
| 당과 국가와 군대의 수위 (黨과 國家와 軍隊의 首位) | Tanggwa kukkawa kundaeŭi suwi | Leader of the Party, the country, and the Army | In use since December 21, 1991, when Kim Jong-il became Supreme Commander of the Korean People's Army. |
| 수령 (首領) | Suryŏng | Leader | Became common after Kim Il-sung's death. |
| 장군 (將軍) | Changgun | General | One of the most common titles. In use since 1994. |
| 우리당과 우리 인민의 위대한 령도자 (우리黨과 우리 人民의 偉大한 領導者) | Uridanggwa uri inminŭi widaehan ryŏngdoja | Great Leader of our Party and of our Nation | In use since 1994. |
| 위대한 장군님 (偉大한 將軍님) | widaehan changgunnim | Beloved Great General | In use since 1994. |
| 경애하는 장군님 (敬愛하는 將軍님) | Kyŏngaehanŭn changgunnim | Beloved and Respected General | In use since 1994. |
| 위대한 수령 (偉大한 首領) | widaehan Suryŏng | Great Leader | When Kim Il-sung was alive, this title was used only to refer to him. |
| 경애하는 수령 (敬愛하는 首領) | Kyŏngaehanŭn Suryŏng | Beloved and Respected Leader | When Kim Il-sung was alive, this title was used only to refer to him. |
| 백전백승의 강철의 령장 (百戰百勝의 鋼鐵의 靈將) | Paekchŏnbaeksŭngŭi kangch'ŏrŭi ryŏngjang | Ever-Victorious, Iron-Willed Commander | In use since 1997 after the 3-year mourning for Kim Il-sung ended. |
| 사회주의 태양 (社會主義 太陽) | Sahoejuŭi T'aeyang | Sun of Socialism | In use since 1997 after the 3-year mourning for Kim Il-sung ended. |
| 민족의 태양 (民族의 太陽) | Minjokŭi T'aeyang | Sun of the Nation | In use since 1997 after the 3-year mourning for Kim Il-sung ended. |
| 삶의 태양 (삶의 太陽) | Salmŭi T'aeyang | The Great Sun of Life | In use since 1997 after the 3-year mourning for Kim Il-sung ended. |
| 민족의 위대한 태양 (民族의 偉大한 太陽) | Minjokŭi widaehan T'aeyang | Great Sun of The Nation | In use since 1999 after the new DPRK constitution was accepted in 1998. |
| 민족의 어버이 (民族의 어버이) | Minjokŭi ŎbŎi | Father of the Nation | In use since 1999 after the new DPRK constitution was accepted in 1998. |
| 21세기의 세계 수령 (21世紀의 世界 首領) | Ishipilsekiŭi Sege Suryŏng | World Leader of The 21st Century | In use since 2000. |
| 불세출의 령도자 (不世出의 領導者) | Pulsech'urŭi ryŏngdoja | Peerless Leader | In use since 2000. |
| 21세기 찬란한 태양 (21世紀 燦爛한 太陽) | Ishipilsegi ch'allanhan t'aeyang | Bright Sun of the 21st Century | In use since 2000. |
| 21세기 위대한 태양 (21世紀 偉大한 太陽) | Ishipilsegi widaehan t'aeyang | Great Sun of the 21st Century | In use since 2000. |
| 21세기 향도자 (21世紀 嚮導者) | Ishipilseki Hyangdoja | Leader of the 21st Century | In use since 2000. |
| 희세의 정치가 (稀世의 政治家) | Hŭiseŭi chŏngch'iga | Amazing Politician | In use since 2000. |
| 천출위인 (天出偉人) | Ch'ŏnch'urwiin | Great Man, Who Descended From Heaven | In use since 2000. |
| 천출명장 (天出明將) | Ch'ŏnch'ulmyŏngjang | Glorious General, Who Descended From Heaven | In use since 2000. |
| 민족의 최고영수 (民族의 最高領袖) | Minjokŭi ch'oegoyŏngsu | Supreme Leader of the Nation | In use since 2000. |
| 주체의 찬란한 태양 (主體의 燦爛한 太陽) | Chuch'eŭi ch'allanhan t'aeyang | Bright Sun of Juche | In use since 2000. |
| 당과 인민의 수령 (黨과 人民의 首領) | Tanggwa Inminŭi Suryŏng | Leader of the Party and the People | |
| 위대한 원수님 (偉大한 元帥님) | widaehan Wŏsunim | Great Marshal | |
| 무적필승의 장군 (無敵必勝의 將軍) | Mujŏkp'ilsŭngŭi changgun | Invincible and Triumphant General | |
| 경애하는 아버지 (敬愛하는 아버지) | Kyŏngaehanŭn Abŏji | Dear Father | |
| 21세기의 향도성 (21世紀의 嚮導星) | Ishipilsegiŭi Hyangdosŏng | Guiding Star of the 21st Century | |
| 실천가형의 위인 (實踐家型의 偉人) | Silchŏngahyŏngŭi wiin | Great Man, Who Is a Man of Deeds | |
| 위대한 수호자 (偉大한 守護者) | widaehan Suhoja | Great Defender | |
| 구원자 (救援者) | Kuwŏnja | Saviour | |
| 혁명의 수뇌부 (革命의 首腦部) | Hyŏnmyŏngŭi Sunoepu | Mastermind of the Revolution | |
| 혁명적 동지애의 최고화신 (革命的 同志愛의 最高化身) | Hyŏnmyŏngjŏk Tongjiaeŭi Choegohwasin | Highest Incarnation of the Revolutionary Comradeship | |
| 각하 (閣下) | Kakha | His Excellency | |
| 주체조선의 영원한 수령 | Chuch'ech'osŏnŭi Yŏngwŏnhan Suryŏng | Eternal Leader of Juche Korea | Established by a line in the preamble to the Constitution, as amended on 30 June 2016. |
