Military ranks of North Korea

Summary

The Military ranks of North Korea are the military insignia used by the Korean People's Army. Due to the close military cooperation, North Korean ranks are inspired by the Soviet ranks system.[1]

Special ranks edit

North Korean rank North Korean insignia[2]
Grand Marshal of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea
(Korean: 대원수, romanizedTae wonsu)[a]
 
Marshal of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea
(Korean: 공화국원수, romanizedKonghwaguk Wonsu)[b]
 

Commissioned officer ranks edit

The rank insignia of commissioned officers.

Rank group General / flag officers Senior officers Junior officers Officer cadet
  Korean People's Army Ground Force[3]
                           
인민군원수
Inmingun-wonsu
차수
Chasu
대장
Daejang
상장
Sangjang
중장
Chungjang
소장
Sojang
대좌
Daechwa
상좌
Sangjwa
중좌
Chungjwa
소좌
Sojwa
대위
Taewi
상위
Sangwi
중위
Chungwi
소위
Sowi
  Korean People's Navy[3]
                           
인민군원수
Inmingun-wonsu
차수
Chasu
대장
Daejang
상장
Sangjang
중장
Chungjang
소장
Sojang
대좌
Daechwa
상좌
Sangjwa
중좌
Chungjwa
소좌
Sojwa
대위
Taewi
상위
Sangwi
중위
Chungwi
소위
Sowi
  Korean People's Army Air Force[3]
                           
인민군원수
Inmingun-wonsu
차수
Chasu
대장
Daejang
상장
Sangjang
중장
Chungjang
소장
Sojang
대좌
Daechwa
상좌
Sangjwa
중좌
Chungjwa
소좌
Sojwa
대위
Taewi
상위
Sangwi
중위
Chungwi
소위
Sowi
Rank group General / flag officers Senior officers Junior officers Officer cadet

Other ranks edit

The rank insignia of non-commissioned officers and enlisted personnel.

Rank group Senior NCOs Junior NCOs Enlisted
  Korean People's Army Ground Force[3]
               
특무상사
T'ŭkmu-sangsa
상사
Sangsa
중사
Chungsa
하사
Hasa
상급병사
Sanggŭp-pyŏngsa
중급병사
Chungŭp-pyŏngsa
하급병사
Hagŭp-pyŏngsa
전사
Chŏnsa
  Korean People's Navy[3]
               
특무상사
T'ŭkmu-sangsa
상사
Sangsa
중사
Chungsa
하사
Hasa
상급병사
Sanggŭp-pyŏngsa
중급병사
Chungŭp-pyŏngsa
하급병사
Hagŭp-pyŏngsa
전사
Chŏnsa
  Korean People's Army Air Force[3]
               
특무상사
T'ŭkmu-sangsa
상사
Sangsa
중사
Chungsa
하사
Hasa
상급병사
Sanggŭp-pyŏngsa
중급병사
Chungŭp-pyŏngsa
하급병사
Hagŭp-pyŏngsa
전사
Chŏnsa
Rank group Senior NCOs Junior NCOs Enlisted

See also edit

Notes edit

  1. ^ Highest possible political-military rank of North Korea and is intended to be an honorific title for the nation’s Great Leaders.
  2. ^ Highest political-military rank reserved only for Supreme Leader of North Korea.

References edit

  1. ^ Keegan, John (1979). "North Korea". In Keegan, John (ed.). World armies. Sandhurst: Royal Military Academy. p. 409. LCCN 79-9217. Retrieved 31 January 2022.
  2. ^ Tertitskiy, Fyodor (14 March 2017). "North Korea's baffling personalized rank insignia, explained". NK News. Korea Risk Group. Retrieved 25 October 2021.
  3. ^ a b c d e f Minnich, James M. (2008). "National Security". In Worden, Robert L. (ed.). North Korea: a country study. Area Handbook (5th ed.). Washington, D.C.: Library of Congress. pp. 266, 268. LCCN 2008028547. Retrieved 20 October 2021.

External links edit

  • "Korea (North – Democratic People's Republic)". uniforminsignia.org. The International Encyclopedia of Uniform Insignia. Retrieved 2 July 2022.