Military Ranks of North Korea 🇰🇵
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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 Korean Air Force
| Rank name |
Insignia |
NATO code |
US Army equivalent |
| 대장 Daejang |
|
OF-9 |
General |
| 상장 Sangjang |
|
OF-8 |
Lieutenant General |
| 중장 Chungjang |
|
OF-7 |
Major General |
| 소장 Sojang |
|
OF-6 |
Brigadier General |
| 대좌 Daechwa |
|
OF-5 |
Colonel |
| 상좌 Sangjwa |
|
OF-5 |
Colonel |
| 중좌 Chungjwa |
|
OF-4 |
Lieutenant Colonel |
| 소좌 Sojwa |
|
OF-3 |
Major / Commandant |
| 대위 Taewi |
|
OF-2 |
Captain / 1st Lieutenant |
| 상위 Sangwi |
|
OF-1 |
Lieutenant |
| 중위 Chungwi |
|
OF-1 |
Lieutenant |
| 소위 Sowi |
|
OF-1 |
Lieutenant |
| 특무상사 T'ŭkmu-sangsa |
|
OR-8 |
1st Sergeant |
| 상사 Sangsa |
|
OR-7 |
Sergeant 1st Class |
| 중사 Chungsa |
|
OR-6 |
Staff Sergeant |
| 하사 Hasa |
|
OR-5 |
Sergeant |
| 상급병사 Sanggŭp-pyŏngsa |
|
OR-4 |
Corporal |
| 중급병사 Chungŭp-pyŏngsa |
|
OR-3 |
Private 1st Class |
| 하급병사 Hagŭp-pyŏngsa |
|
OR-2 |
Private |
| 전사 Chŏnsa |
|
OR-1 |
Private |
North Korean Army
| Rank name |
Insignia |
NATO code |
US Army equivalent |
| 대원수 Tae wonsu |
|
OF-10 |
Marshal / General of the Army |
| 공화국원수 Konghwaguk Wonsu |
|
OF-10 |
Marshal / General of the Army |
| 인민군원수 Inmingun-wonsu |
|
OF-10 |
Marshal / General of the Army |
| 차수 Chasu |
|
OF-10 |
Marshal / General of the Army |
| 대장 Daejang |
|
OF-9 |
General |
| 상장 Sangjang |
|
OF-8 |
Lieutenant General |
| 중장 Chungjang |
|
OF-7 |
Major General |
| 소장 Sojang |
|
OF-6 |
Brigadier General |
| 대좌 Daechwa |
|
OF-5 |
Colonel |
| 상좌 Sangjwa |
|
OF-5 |
Colonel |
| 중좌 Chungjwa |
|
OF-4 |
Lieutenant Colonel |
| 소좌 Sojwa |
|
OF-3 |
Major / Commandant |
| 대위 Taewi |
|
OF-2 |
Captain / 1st Lieutenant |
| 상위 Sangwi |
|
OF-1 |
Lieutenant |
| 중위 Chungwi |
|
OF-1 |
Lieutenant |
| 소위 Sowi |
|
OF-1 |
Lieutenant |
| 특무상사 T'ŭkmu-sangsa |
|
OR-8 |
1st Sergeant |
| 상사 Sangsa |
|
OR-7 |
Sergeant 1st Class |
| 중사 Chungsa |
|
OR-6 |
Staff Sergeant |
| 하사 Hasa |
|
OR-5 |
Sergeant |
| 상급병사 Sanggŭp-pyŏngsa |
|
OR-4 |
Corporal |
| 중급병사 Chungŭp-pyŏngsa |
|
OR-3 |
Private 1st Class |
| 하급병사 Hagŭp-pyŏngsa |
|
OR-2 |
Private |
| 전사 Chŏnsa |
|
OR-1 |
Private |
North Korean Navy
| Rank name |
Insignia |
NATO code |
US Army equivalent |
| 대장 Daejang |
|
OF-9 |
General |
| 상장 Sangjang |
|
OF-8 |
Lieutenant General |
| 중장 Chungjang |
|
OF-7 |
Major General |
| 소장 Sojang |
|
OF-6 |
Brigadier General |
| 대좌 Daechwa |
|
OF-5 |
Colonel |
| 상좌 Sangjwa |
|
OF-5 |
Colonel |
| 중좌 Chungjwa |
|
OF-4 |
Lieutenant Colonel |
| 소좌 Sojwa |
|
OF-3 |
Major / Commandant |
| 대위 Taewi |
|
OF-2 |
Captain / 1st Lieutenant |
| 상위 Sangwi |
|
OF-1 |
Lieutenant |
| 중위 Chungwi |
|
OF-1 |
Lieutenant |
| 소위 Sowi |
|
OF-1 |
Lieutenant |
| 특무상사 T'ŭkmu-sangsa |
|
OR-8 |
1st Sergeant |
| 상사 Sangsa |
|
OR-7 |
Sergeant 1st Class |
| 중사 Chungsa |
|
OR-6 |
Staff Sergeant |
| 하사 Hasa |
|
OR-5 |
Sergeant |
| 상급병사 Sanggŭp-pyŏngsa |
|
OR-4 |
Corporal |
| 중급병사 Chungŭp-pyŏngsa |
|
OR-3 |
Private 1st Class |
| 하급병사 Hagŭp-pyŏngsa |
|
OR-2 |
Private |
| 전사 Chŏnsa |
|
OR-1 |
Private |