🇰🇵
North Korea vs Russia Military Ranks
The North Korean Army has 24 ranks — 16 officer and 8 enlisted — from 전사 Chŏnsa up to 대원수 Tae wonsu. Below: all 64 ranks across 3 branches (Army, Navy, Air Force), aligned tier by tier with their Russian equivalents.
Branches
3
Ranks documented
64
Active personnel
1.3M
Army
Rank Ladder
Highest first · 22 of 24 matched
| 🇰🇵 North Korea · Army | NATO code |
Equivalent in
|
|---|---|---|
| Officers | ||
대원수 Tae wonsu
|
OF-10 Marshal / General of the Army |
Ма́ршал Росси́йской Федера́ции / Márshal Rossíyskoy Federátsii
|
공화국원수 Konghwaguk Wonsu
|
OF-10 Marshal / General of the Army |
Ма́ршал Росси́йской Федера́ции / Márshal Rossíyskoy Federátsii
|
인민군원수 Inmingun-wonsu
|
OF-10 Marshal / General of the Army |
Ма́ршал Росси́йской Федера́ции / Márshal Rossíyskoy Federátsii
|
차수 Chasu
|
OF-10 Marshal / General of the Army |
Ма́ршал Росси́йской Федера́ции / Márshal Rossíyskoy Federátsii
|
대장 Daejang
|
OF-9 General |
Генера́л а́рмии / Generál ármii
|
상장 Sangjang
|
OF-8 Lieutenant General |
Генера́л-полко́вник / Generál-polkóvnik
|
중장 Chungjang
|
OF-7 Major General |
Генера́л-лейтена́нт / Generál-leytenánt
|
소장 Sojang
|
OF-6 Brigadier General |
Генера́л-майо́р / Generál-mayór
|
대좌 Daechwa
|
OF-5 Colonel |
Полко́вник / Polkóvnik
|
상좌 Sangjwa
|
OF-5 Colonel |
Полко́вник / Polkóvnik
|
중좌 Chungjwa
|
OF-4 Lieutenant Colonel |
Подполко́вник / Podpolkóvnik
|
소좌 Sojwa
|
OF-3 Major / Commandant |
Майо́р / Mayór
|
대위 Taewi
|
OF-2 Captain / 1st Lieutenant |
Kапита́н / Kapitán
|
상위 Sangwi
|
OF-1 Lieutenant |
Ста́рший лейтена́нт / Stárshiy leytenánt
Лейтена́нт / Leytenánt
Mла́дший лейтена́нт / Mládshiy leytenánt
|
중위 Chungwi
|
OF-1 Lieutenant |
Ста́рший лейтена́нт / Stárshiy leytenánt
Лейтена́нт / Leytenánt
Mла́дший лейтена́нт / Mládshiy leytenánt
|
소위 Sowi
|
OF-1 Lieutenant |
Ста́рший лейтена́нт / Stárshiy leytenánt
Лейтена́нт / Leytenánt
Mла́дший лейтена́нт / Mládshiy leytenánt
|
| Enlisted ranks | ||
특무상사 T'ŭkmu-sangsa
|
OR-8 1st Sergeant |
Пра́порщик / Práporshchik
Старшина́ / Starshiná
|
상사 Sangsa
|
OR-7 Sergeant 1st Class |
Ста́рший сержа́нт / Stárshiy serzhánt
|
중사 Chungsa
|
OR-6 Staff Sergeant |
Сержа́нт / Serzhánt
|
하사 Hasa
|
OR-5 Sergeant |
Мла́дший сержа́нт / Mládshiy serzhánt
|
상급병사 Sanggŭp-pyŏngsa
|
OR-4 Corporal |
Ефре́йтор / Yefréytor
|
중급병사 Chungŭp-pyŏngsa
|
OR-3 Private 1st Class | – |
하급병사 Hagŭp-pyŏngsa
|
OR-2 Private | – |
전사 Chŏnsa
|
OR-1 Private |
Рядово́й / Ryadovóy
|
Navy
Rank Ladder
Highest first · 18 of 20 matched
| 🇰🇵 North Korea · Navy | NATO code |
Equivalent in
|
|---|---|---|
| Officers | ||
대장 Daejang
|
OF-9 General |
Адмирал флота / Admiral flota
|
상장 Sangjang
|
OF-8 Lieutenant General |
Адмирал / Admiral
|
중장 Chungjang
|
OF-7 Major General |
Вице-адмирал / Vitse-admiral
|
소장 Sojang
|
OF-6 Brigadier General |
Контр-адмирал / Contre-admiral
|
대좌 Daechwa
|
OF-5 Colonel |
Капитан 1-го ранга / Kapitan 1-go ranga
|
상좌 Sangjwa
|
OF-5 Colonel |
Капитан 1-го ранга / Kapitan 1-go ranga
|
중좌 Chungjwa
|
OF-4 Lieutenant Colonel |
Капитан 2-го ранга / Kapitan 2-go ranga
|
소좌 Sojwa
|
OF-3 Major / Commandant |
Капитан 3-го ранга / Kapitan 3-go ranga
|
대위 Taewi
|
OF-2 Captain / 1st Lieutenant |
Капитан-лейтенант / Kapitan-leytenant
|
상위 Sangwi
|
OF-1 Lieutenant |
Старший лейтенант / Starshey leytenant
Лейтенант / Leytenant
Младший лейтенант / Mladshiy leytenant
|
중위 Chungwi
|
OF-1 Lieutenant |
Старший лейтенант / Starshey leytenant
Лейтенант / Leytenant
Младший лейтенант / Mladshiy leytenant
|
소위 Sowi
|
OF-1 Lieutenant |
Старший лейтенант / Starshey leytenant
Лейтенант / Leytenant
Младший лейтенант / Mladshiy leytenant
|
| Enlisted ranks | ||
특무상사 T'ŭkmu-sangsa
|
OR-8 1st Sergeant |
Мичман / Michman
Главный корабельный старшина / Glavny korabelny starshina
|
상사 Sangsa
|
OR-7 Sergeant 1st Class |
Главный старшина / Glavny starshina
|
중사 Chungsa
|
OR-6 Staff Sergeant |
Старшина 1 статьи / Starshina 1 statji
|
하사 Hasa
|
OR-5 Sergeant |
Старшина 2 статьи / Starshina 2 statji
|
상급병사 Sanggŭp-pyŏngsa
|
OR-4 Corporal |
Старший матрос / Starshy matros
|
중급병사 Chungŭp-pyŏngsa
|
OR-3 Private 1st Class | – |
하급병사 Hagŭp-pyŏngsa
|
OR-2 Private | – |
전사 Chŏnsa
|
OR-1 Private |
Матрос / Matros
|
Air Force
Rank Ladder
Highest first · 18 of 20 matched
| 🇰🇵 North Korea · Air Force | NATO code |
Equivalent in
|
|---|---|---|
| Officers | ||
대장 Daejang
|
OF-9 General |
Генера́л а́рмии / Generál ármii
|
상장 Sangjang
|
OF-8 Lieutenant General |
Генера́л-полко́вник / Generál-polkóvnik
|
중장 Chungjang
|
OF-7 Major General |
Генера́л-лейтена́нт / Generál-leytenánt
|
소장 Sojang
|
OF-6 Brigadier General |
Генера́л-майо́р / Generál-mayór
|
대좌 Daechwa
|
OF-5 Colonel |
Полко́вник / Polkóvnik
|
상좌 Sangjwa
|
OF-5 Colonel |
Полко́вник / Polkóvnik
|
중좌 Chungjwa
|
OF-4 Lieutenant Colonel |
Подполко́вник / Podpolkóvnik
|
소좌 Sojwa
|
OF-3 Major / Commandant |
Майо́р / Mayór
|
대위 Taewi
|
OF-2 Captain / 1st Lieutenant |
Kапита́н / Kapitán
|
상위 Sangwi
|
OF-1 Lieutenant |
Ста́рший лейтена́нт / Stárshiy leytenánt
Лейтена́нт / Leytenánt
Mла́дший лейтена́нт / Mládshiy leytenánt
|
중위 Chungwi
|
OF-1 Lieutenant |
Ста́рший лейтена́нт / Stárshiy leytenánt
Лейтена́нт / Leytenánt
Mла́дший лейтена́нт / Mládshiy leytenánt
|
소위 Sowi
|
OF-1 Lieutenant |
Ста́рший лейтена́нт / Stárshiy leytenánt
Лейтена́нт / Leytenánt
Mла́дший лейтена́нт / Mládshiy leytenánt
|
| Enlisted ranks | ||
특무상사 T'ŭkmu-sangsa
|
OR-8 1st Sergeant |
Пра́порщик / Práporshchik
Старшина́ / Starshiná
|
상사 Sangsa
|
OR-7 Sergeant 1st Class |
Ста́рший сержа́нт / Stárshiy serzhánt
|
중사 Chungsa
|
OR-6 Staff Sergeant |
Сержа́нт / Serzhánt
|
하사 Hasa
|
OR-5 Sergeant |
Мла́дший сержа́нт / Mládshiy serzhánt
|
상급병사 Sanggŭp-pyŏngsa
|
OR-4 Corporal |
Ефре́йтор / Yefréytor
|
중급병사 Chungŭp-pyŏngsa
|
OR-3 Private 1st Class | – |
하급병사 Hagŭp-pyŏngsa
|
OR-2 Private | – |
전사 Chŏnsa
|
OR-1 Private |
Рядово́й / Ryadovóy
|
Overview
The armed forces of North Korea, officially known as the "Korean People's Army" (KPA), are under the control of the ruling Workers' Party of Korea. The KPA is one of the largest standing militaries in the world and consists of several branches, each with specific roles:
- Ground Force: The Korean People's Army Ground Force is responsible for land-based military operations. It includes infantry, armored units, artillery, and support units. The ground force is the largest component of the KPA and plays a central role in national defense.
- Navy: The Korean People's Army Navy focuses on maritime defense and security, operating various vessels, including submarines, surface ships, and patrol boats, primarily in the waters surrounding the Korean Peninsula.
- Air Force: The Korean People's Army Air Force is responsible for aerial defense and operations, with fighter aircraft, transport planes, helicopters, and air defense systems ensuring air superiority and national defense.
- Strategic Rocket Forces: This branch is responsible for North Korea's missile forces, including long-range ballistic missiles. These missiles are a significant concern for regional and global security.
North Korea Military
Wikipedia (CC BY-SA) and other open sources.
Insignia image credits
- Skjoldbro — CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons: 대원수 Tae wonsu, 공화국원수 Konghwaguk Wonsu, 인민군원수 Inmingun-wonsu, 차수 Chasu, 대장 Daejang (Army), 상장 Sangjang (Army), 중장 Chungjang (Army), 소장 Sojang (Army), 대좌 Daechwa (Army), 상좌 Sangjwa (Army), 중좌 Chungjwa (Army), 소좌 Sojwa (Army), 대위 Taewi (Army), 상위 Sangwi (Army), 중위 Chungwi (Army), 소위 Sowi (Army), 대장 Daejang (Navy), 상장 Sangjang (Navy), 중장 Chungjang (Navy), 소장 Sojang (Navy), 대좌 Daechwa (Navy), 상좌 Sangjwa (Navy), 중좌 Chungjwa (Navy), 소좌 Sojwa (Navy), 대위 Taewi (Navy), 상위 Sangwi (Navy), 중위 Chungwi (Navy), 소위 Sowi (Navy), 대장 Daejang (Air Force), 상장 Sangjang (Air Force), 중장 Chungjang (Air Force), 소장 Sojang (Air Force), 대좌 Daechwa (Air Force), 상좌 Sangjwa (Air Force), 중좌 Chungjwa (Air Force), 소좌 Sojwa (Air Force), 대위 Taewi (Air Force), 상위 Sangwi (Air Force), 중위 Chungwi (Air Force), 소위 Sowi (Air Force)
- Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons: 특무상사 T'ŭkmu-sangsa (Navy), 상사 Sangsa (Navy), 중사 Chungsa (Navy), 하사 Hasa (Navy), 상급병사 Sanggŭp-pyŏngsa (Navy), 중급병사 Chungŭp-pyŏngsa (Navy), 하급병사 Hagŭp-pyŏngsa (Navy), 전사 Chŏnsa (Navy), 특무상사 T'ŭkmu-sangsa (Air Force), 상사 Sangsa (Air Force), 중사 Chungsa (Air Force), 하사 Hasa (Air Force), 상급병사 Sanggŭp-pyŏngsa (Air Force), 중급병사 Chungŭp-pyŏngsa (Air Force), 하급병사 Hagŭp-pyŏngsa (Air Force), 전사 Chŏnsa (Air Force)
- Source work: Blackcloud11 Derivative work: CdnMCG — CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons: 특무상사 T'ŭkmu-sangsa, 상사 Sangsa, 중사 Chungsa, 하사 Hasa, 상급병사 Sanggŭp-pyŏngsa, 중급병사 Chungŭp-pyŏngsa, 하급병사 Hagŭp-pyŏngsa, 전사 Chŏnsa