TheMinistry of State Security of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea[a] (Korean: 조선민주주의인민공화국 국가보위성) is thesecret police agency ofNorth Korea. It is an autonomous agency of theNorth Korean government reporting directly to theSupreme Leader.[2][3] The agency is reputed to be one of the most brutal secret police forces in the world, and it has been involved in numeroushuman rights abuses.[3]
It is one of two agencies that provide security or protection to North Korean officials and VIPs, alongside theSupreme Guard Command. The MSS was known by its nickname asSaenggak kyŏngchal (Korean:생각경찰) meaningThought Police under Kim Jong-un's reign as leader since taking power in December 2011.[3][4]
In 1945, the DPRK Security was established, being attached to the "Police Department".[5] In 1948, it became Ministry of Internal Affairs (Korean:내무성 정치보위국) with the Bureau of Political Protection attached.[5] In February 1949, it became the Political Security Agency (Korean:정치보위부로). In September 1948, the National Political Affairs Department, which specializes in political in the North Korean region, was newly established.
On August 20, 1949, however, after Lee Chang-ok, the deputy secretary of the Republic of Korea, escaped from Haeju, South Korea, along withKim Kang and others, the organization was abolished after a massive purge. It was integrated into the Ministry of Social Safety (later known as theMinistry of People's Security). In 1951 it was renamed to Social Security Political Security Agency. In 1952, Department of Homeland Security. In 1962, it became Social and Political Security Agency (Korean:사회안전성 정치보위국). The SSD was created in 1973, being separated from theMinistry of Public Security.[6][7]
Some defectors and sources[who?] have suggested that unlike itsEastern Bloc counterparts, State Security functions are actually conducted by several larger and different security bodies that operate under theWorkers' Party of Korea (WPK) or theKorean People's Army (KPA, the North Korean armed forces), each with its own unique responsibilities and classified names that are referred to by code (e.g.Room 39), and that the agency is little more than a hollow shell used by the elite to coordinate their activities and provide cover for them.[citation needed]
The post of Security Department head was left vacant after MinisterRi Chun-su's death in 1987, although it wasde facto if notde jure controlled byKim Jong-il and the WPKOrganization and Guidance Department he headed.[8] In 1998, the MSS migrated under theNational Defence Commission, also chaired by Kim Jong-il.[8] Finally, in 2007, it was transferred under the WPK Administration Department, whose first vice director became responsible of the MSS daily work, but it continued to have obligations towards the Organization and Guidance Department.[8]
In November 2011, it was reported thatGeneralU Tong-chuk had been appointed permanent minister of State Security,[9] the first of this kind since 1987, filling a post left unoccupied for 24 years. This was almost concurrent with GeneralRi Myong-su's appointment as minister ofPeople's Security. Other sources also claimed thatKim Jong-un worked at the State Security Department before and/or after his anointment asheir apparent in September 2010.[10]Kim Won-hong was appointed minister in April 2012 as the position was restored followingKim Jong-il's death.[11] He served as Kim Jong-un's aide until February 2017 when he was allegedly dismissed for filing false reports to Kim Jong-un and mishandling an aide of Kim Jong-un. He was formally replaced in October 2017 at aWPK central committee plenum byJong Kyong-thaek.[12]So Tae-ha is the vice minister, whileKim Chang-sop serves as the head of the political department of the ministry.[13]
On October 21, 2021, the MSS was instructed not to surveil North Koreans living near the Chinese-North Korean border who are known to be free from any ideological suspicions.[14]
On November 18, 2025, Kim Jong-un visited MSS HQ with Minister of State SecurityPang Tu-sop as part of celebrating 80 years of eliminating political opposition.[15]
The Ministry of State Security is tasked with investigating political and economic crimes in North Korea, especially crimes against theKim family.[7] It's also tasked with conducting VIP protection duties for North Korean diplomats and employees who work in various North Korean embassies, consulates and other foreign missions abroad.[7] In addition to its internal security duties, it is involved in the operation of North Korea'sconcentration camps, prisons and various other hidden activities.[16]
The ministry has been known to link up with various other government ministries and agencies to help them with their various missions.[7]
Bermudez, Joseph S. (2001).Shield of the Great Leader. The Armed Forces of North Korea. The Armed Forces of Asia. Sydney: Allen & Unwin.ISBN1-86448-582-5.
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