Pak Pong-ju is a North Korean leader who is currently serving his second term as the Premier of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) since April 1st, 2013. He previously served his first term in the same position from September 3rd, 2003 to April 11, 2007. He is also an elected member of the Presidium of the Workers' Party of Korea since 2016. As the premier, he is the head of government in DPRK, alongside the other branch of the executive government, the National Defense Commission of North Korea, led by Chairman of the National Defence Commission Kim Jong-un, the Supreme Leader of North Korea. Pong-ju's responsibilities as the Premier include organizing the cabinet and appointing ministers and vice-premiers following confirmation by the Supreme People's Assembly. Starting out from humble beginnings as a manager of a food factory, he climbed up the ladder to work in high positions in the chemical industry and the light industry. During the mid-1990s, when three KWP Central Committee economic departments were consolidated, he served as the principal deputy to Kim Kyong-hui, the only sister of Kim Jong-il.