The National Defence Commission of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (NDC) () was the highest state institution for military and national defence leadership in North Korea, which also served as the highest governing institution of the country from 1998 until 2016 when it was replaced by the State Affairs Commission. History The National Defence Commission started as the National Defence Commission of the Central People's Committee of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea () which was created on 27 December 1972 by the 1972 Constitution as one of the commissions that were subordinate to the Central People's Committee. The commission was separated from the on 9 April 1992 through an amendment of the 1972 Constitution, and became the National Defence Commission of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea. It was also designated as the "supreme military leadership institution of state power." National Defense Commission was separated from the Central People's Committee (which was dissolved and replaced by the Cabinet) at the first session of the 10th convocation of the Supreme People's Assembly and became the highest governing institution in North Korea on 5 September 1998 through an amendment of the 1972 Constitution that abolished the office of President of North Korea. It was designated as the "supreme military leadership and overall national defence management institution of state power." Since an amendment of the 1972 Constitution on 9 April 2009, the National Defence Commission was designated as the "supreme national defence leadership institution of state power." The National Defence Commission continued to be the highest leadership body in North Korea until 29 June 2016 when an amendment to the 1972 Constitution created the State Affairs Commission of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (), which was designated as the new highest leadership body in the country, with the National Defence Commission being disbanded to be convened only during times of war. Functions The 1972 Constitution mandated the National Defence Commission to be one of the commissions that are subordinate to the Central People's Committee in order to assist it in its work. The 1992 amendment to the 1972 Constitution separated the National Defence Commission from the Central People's Committee and was designated the following functions as the "supreme military leadership institution of state power": Guide the overall armed forces and defense-building work of the State Appoint or dismiss key military officials Institute military ranks and promote officers above the general-grade