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.

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."

The chairman of the National Defence Commission also served as the supreme commander of the Korean People's Army.

Since 1992, the chairman of the National Defence Commission was no longer required to be the President and was elected by the Supreme People's Assembly.