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

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

Commissioned officer ranks

The rank insignia of commissioned officers.

Rank group General / flag officers Senior officers Junior officers Officer cadet
 Korean People's Army Ground Force[3]
 Marshal of the PKA Vice marshal Captain general Superior general Middle general Junior general Captain commander Superior commander Middle commander Junior commander Captain Senior lieutenant Middle lieutenant Junior Lieutenant
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]
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 and Anti-Air Force[3]
 Captain General Superior General Middle General Junior General Captain Commander Superior Commander Middle Commander Junior Commander Captain Lieutenant Superior Lieutenant Middle Lieutenant Junior Lieutenant
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

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 and Anti-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

Notes

  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

  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

Military ranks and insignia by country
Korean People's Army
Categories