sentences:  While it is not stated by the amended constitution, the National Defense Commission became the de facto highest leadership institution in the country with its Chairman holding the highest office of the state.Despite the 1998 constitutional amendment effectively making the Chairman of the National Defense Commission the highest office in North Korea, it did not have the status of head of state.The President of the Presidium of the Supreme People's Assembly was designated as the country's head of state from 1998 until 2019.