Orders and Medals of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea

The award system of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (North Korea) was initially created, less than one month after the foundation of the Republic, similarily to the Soviet award system. Many of the Orders have the form of stylised five pointed star. Initially the Orders were attached to clothing with a screw-plate (like Soviet Orders), but later was replaced with a horizontal and then vertical pin. Medals suspend from a pin on the back of a five sided ribbon on a metal plate. Unlike Soviet five sided suspensions the medal plates of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea have three straight sides and the ribbons run vertically. Many of the awards' designs are heavily inspired by the national flag and emblem and the flag of the Korean Worker's Party.

Titles

Award	Name (English/Korean/Transliteration)	Date Created	Description
	Hero Of The Republic 공화국영웅 Konghwaguk Yeongung	1950-06-30	The "Hero Of The Republic" was the highest award of the Democratic People's Republic Of Korea until the Order of Kim Il-Sung was established in 1972. Awarded for extreme heroic exploits during war. The recipient is also awarded with the Order Of The National Flag 1st Class which was the nation's highest Order until the Order of Kim Il-Sung. Along with the Gold Star and Order the Recipient is also honoured with the erection of a personal statue at their birthplace. This award is based upon the Soviet award "Hero Of The Soviet Union".
	Hero Of Labour 로력영웅 Roryeok Yeongung	1951-07-17	This title was the highest civilian award until the establishment of the Order of Kim Il-Sung in 1972. Awarded for exceptional merit and efficiency in professional labour. The recipient of this title was also awarded the Order Of The National Flag 1st Class which was also the nation's highest order until the Order Of Kim Il-Sung. This award is based upon the Soviet award "Hero Of Socialist Labour".

Orders

Order And Ribbon	Name (English/Korean/Transliteration)	Date Created	Description
	Order Of Kim Il-Sung 김일성 훈장 Kim Il-Sung Hunchang	1972-03-20	Since the creation of this order in 1972 it has been the highest order or award of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea. The order draws inspiration from the Order of Lenin of the Soviet Union and other communist nation's "Cult" awards, such as the Orders of Karl Marx and Georgi Dimitrov. The ribbon is golden with a gold star at it's centre.
	Order Of The National Flag 1st Class 국기훈장 제1급 Kukki Hunchang Ge Il Geup	1948-10-02	Until the creation of the Order Of Kim Il-Sung in 1972, the highest order of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea. The order ribbon, whilst based on the Flag of North Korea, has a large golden stripe in the centre indicating 1st Class.
	Order Of The National Flag 2nd Class 국기훈장 제2급 Kukki Hunchang Ge I Geup	1948-10-02	Order ribbon has 2 gold stripes indicating 2nd Class.
	Order Of The National Flag 3rd Class 국기훈장 제3급 Kukki Hunchang Ge Sam Geup	1948-10-02	Order ribbon has 3 small gold stripes indicating 3rd Class.
	Order Of Korean Labour 조선로력훈장 Choseon Roryeok Hunchang	1951-07-17	For efficient and meritorious professional labour.
	Order Of Soldier's Honour 1st Class 전사영예훈장 제1급 Cheonsa Yeongye Hunchang Ge Il Geup	1950-06-25	For acts of individual gallantry in combat
	Order Of Soldier's Honour 2nd Class 전사영예훈장 제2급 Cheonsa Yeongye Hunchang Ge I Geup	1950-06-25	For acts of individual gallantry in combat
	Order Of Admiral Yi Sun-Shin 1st Class 이순신장군훈장 제1급 Yi Sun-Shin Changgun Hunchang Ge Il Geup	1950-07-13	Conferred to flag officers and navy commanders for outstanding leadership.
	Order Of Admiral Yi Sun-Shin 2nd Class 이순신장군훈장 제2급 Yi Sun-Shin Changgun Hunchang Ge I Geup	1950-07-13	Conferred to flag officers and navy commanders for outstanding leadership.
	Order Of Freedom And Independence 1st Class 자유독립훈장 제1급 Sayu Dokryb Hunchang Ge Il Geup	1951-07-17
	Order Of Freedom And Independence 2nd Class 자유독립훈장 제2급 Sayu Dokryb Hunchang Ge I Geup	1951-07-17
	Order Of Military Service Honour 1st Class 군사복무영예훈장 제1급 Gunsa Bongmu Yeongye Hunchang Ge Il Geup	1973-07-03
	Order Of Military Service Honour 2nd Class 군사복무영예훈장 제2급 Gunsa Bongmu Yeongye Hunchang Ge I Geup	1973-07-03
	Order Of Military Service Honour 3rd Class 군사복무영예훈장 제3급 Gunsa Bongmu Yeongye Hunchang Ge Sam Geup	1973-07-03
	Order Of Colliery Service Honour 1st Class 석탄광업복무영예훈장 제1급 Seoktan Gwangeop Bongmu Yeongye Hunchang Ge Il Geup	1973-09-03
	Order Of Colliery Service Honour 2nd Class 석탄광업복무영예훈장 제2급 Seoktan Gwangeop Bongmu Yeongye Hunchang Ge I Geup	1973-09-03
	Order Of Colliery Service Honour 3rd Class 석탄광업복무영예훈장 제3급 Seoktan Gwangeop Bongmu Yeongye Hunchang Ge Sam Geup	1973-09-03
	Order Of Military Engineering Service Honour 10 Years 군수공복무영예훈장 10 Gunsugong Bongmu Yeongye Hunchang 10
	Order Of Military Engineering Service Honour 20 Years 군수공복무영예훈장 20 Gunsugong Bongmu Yeongye Hunchang 20
	Order Of Military Engineering Service Honour 30 Years 군수공복무영예훈장 30 Gunsugong Bongmu Yeongye Hunchang 30		Awarded to veteran military engineers, enlisted, NCOs and officers in the KPA for 30 years service in military engineering service
	Order Of Fishery Service Honour 1st Class 수산복무영예훈장 제1급 Susan Bongmu Yeongye Hunchang Ge Il Geup
	Order Of Fishery Service Honour 2nd Class 수산복무영예훈장 제2급 Susan Bongmu Yeongye Hunchang Ge I Geup
	Order Of Railway Service Honour 1st Class 철도복무영예훈장 제1급 Cheoldo Bongmu Yeongye Hunchang Ge Il Geup
	Order Of Railway Service Honour 2nd Class 철도복무영예훈장 제2급 Cheoldo Bongmu Yeongye Hunchang Ge I Geup
	Order Of Railway Service Honour 3rd Class 철도복무영예훈장 제3급 Cheoldo Bongmu Yeongye Hunchang Ge Sam Geup
	Order Of Democratic People's Republic Of Korea Friendship 1st Class 조선민주주의인민공화국친선훈장 제1급 Chosŏn Minjujuŭi Inmin Konghwaguk Chinseon Hunchang Ge Il Geup	1985
	Order Of Democratic People's Republic Of Korea Friendship 2nd Class 조선민주주의인민공화국친선훈장 제2급 Chosŏn Minjujuŭi Inmin Konghwaguk Chinseon Hunchang Ge I Geup	1985	Awarded only to Non-Nationals. Including; Alejandro Cao de Benos [1], Norbert Vollertsen in 1999[2] Ellsworth Culver on 2006-01-10[3] Liu Xiaoming on 2010-02-03[4].
	Order Of The Red Banner Of Three Great Revolutions 3대혁명붉은기훈장 3 Dae Hyeongmyeong Bulgeun Ki Hunchang	1986-11-20

Commemorative Orders

Order And Ribbon	Name (English/Korean/Transliteration)	Date Created	Description
	Commemorative Order "Anniversary Of The Foundation Of The People's Army" 조선인민군창건기념훈장 Chosŏn Inmin'gun Changgeon Ginyeom Hunchang	1968-01-25	This ordered was originally dated 1968.2.8. for the 20th anniversary and also a screw-back (The only screw-back commemorative order), later variations are pin back and undated for the 40th and 50th anniversaries. This order could be awarded to an individual up to three times, especially if he/she is a veteran or retired officer or NCO of the KPA in recognition of services given to the country.
	Commemorative Order "20th Anniversary Of The Foundation Of The Democratic People's Republic Of Korea" 조선민주주의인민공화국창건20주년기념훈장 Chosŏn Minjujuŭi Inmin Konghwaguk Changgeon 20 Chunyeon Ginyeom Hunchang	1968-05-24	This order was awarded only once per recipient and dated 1968.9.9. on the reverse. Awarded to people who helped found the DPRK in 1948 as well as those who contributed to national defense, development and progress in the past 20 years.
	Commemorative Order "Foundation Of The Democratic People's Republic Of Korea" 조선민주주의인민공화국창건기념훈장 Chosŏn Minjujuŭi Inmin Konghwaguk Changgeon Ginyeom Hunchang	1978	This commemorative order was issued on the 30th and 40th anniversaries of the foundation of the DPRK. It was only awarded a maximum of twice to a single recipient. The obverse of this order is identical to the 20th Anniversary Commemorative Order but is not dated on the reverse.
	Commemorative Order "40th Anniversary Of Fatherland Liberation War Victory" 조국해방전쟁승리40돐기념훈장 Choguk Haebang Chǒnjaeng Seungni 40 Dol Ginyeom Hunchang	1993
	Commemorative Order "5th March" 3월5일기념훈장 3 Wol 5 Il Ginyeom Hunchang	1986-03-03
	Commemorative Order "30th Anniversary Of The Agricultural Presentation" 농촌데제발표30돐년기념훈장 Nong Chonde Chebal Pyo 30 Dolnyeon Ginyeom Hunchang	1990
	Commemorative Order "60th Anniversary Of The People's Army" 조선인민군창건60돐기념훈장 Chosŏn Inmin'gun Changgeon 60 Dol Ginyeom Hunchang	1992
	Commemorative Order "Capital Construction" 수도건설기녕훈장 Sudo Geonseol Ginyeong Hunchang	1992
	Commemorative Order "50th Anniversary Of The Foundation Of The Democratic People's Republic Of Korea" 조선민주주의인민공화국창건50돐년기념훈장 Chosŏn Minjujuŭi Inmin Konghwaguk Changgeon 50 Chunyeon Ginyeom Hunchang	1998

Medals

Medal And Ribbon	Name (English/Korean/Transliteration)	Date Created	Description
	Medal For Military Merits 군공메달 Gungong Medal	1949-07-13	Awarded for military merit achievement.
	Medal For Merits 공로메달 Gongno Medal	1949-07-13	Awarded for meritorious labour service.
	Medal Of Military Service Honour 군사복무영예메달 Gunsa Bongmu Yeongye Medal	1973-07-03
	Medal For Agricultural Merits 농업공로메달 Nongeop Gongno Medal	1974-12-24
	Medal Of Democratic People's Republic Of Korea Friendship 조선민주주의인민공화국친선메달 Chosŏn Minjujuŭi Inmin Konghwaguk Chinseon Medal	1985

Commemorative Medals

Medal And Ribbon	Name (English/Korean/Transliteration)	Date Created	Description
	Korea 15.8.1945 조선 1945.8.15 Choseon 1945.8.15	1948-10-16	Awarded for participation in the Korean independence armies.
	Commemorative Medal "Great Fatherland Liberation War 1950-1953" 위대한조국해방전쟁을기념메달 1950-1953 Widaehan Chogu Kaebang Chǒnjaeng Eul Ginyeom Medal 1950-1953	1953-08-15
	Commemorative Medal "Participation In The Fatherland Liberation War 1950-1953" 조국해방전쟁참전기념메달 1950-1953 Chogu Kaebang Chǒnjaeng Chamjeon Ginyeom Medal 1950-1953	1953-08-15
	Commemorative Medal "Fatherland Liberation" 조국해방기녕메달 Chogu Kaebang Ginyeom Medal
	Commemorative Medal "The Foundation Of The People's Republic Of Korea" 조선민주주의인민공화국창건기녕메달 Chosŏn Inmin'gun Changgeon Ginyeom Medal
	Commemorative Medal "20th Anniversary Of Chongryon (General Association Of Korean Residents In Japan)" 20총련기녕메달 20 Chongryon Changgeon Ginyeom Medal	1975-05-20	Only 4 of these medals have yet to be observed, making it one of (if not) the rarest of the DPRK awards.
	Commemorative Medal "Cheonggang Power Plant Dam Construction" 정강산발전소건설기녕메달 Cheonggang Sanbal Cheonso Geonseol Ginyeom Medal	1990
	Commemorative Medal "Capital Construction" 수도건설기녕메달 Sudo Geonseol Ginyeong Medal	1992
	Commemorative Medal "Pyongyang-Nampho Highway Construction" 평양-남포고속도로건설기녕메달 Pyongyang-Nampho Gosokttoro Geonseol Ginyeong Medal
	Commemorative Medal "Military Parade" 열병식기녕메달 Yeolbyeongsik Ginyeong Medal

Badges

Medal And Ribbon	Name (English/Korean/Transliteration)	Date Created	Description
	Commemorative Badge "20th Anniversary Of The Foundation Of The People's Army" 조선인민군창건20주년기념휘장 Chosŏn Minjujuŭi Inmin Konghwaguk Changgeon 20 Chunyeon Ginyeom Hwichang	1968-02-08
	Cholima Honour Badge 전리마 영예 휘장 Cholima Yeongye Hwichang	1968

See also

• Korean People's Army

References

• Boik, William A. (2008). Orders, Decorations, and Medals of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea. Springfield, VA: DBMPress.com. ISBN 978-0-615-19087-7. 

1. ^ http://www.korea-dpr.com/about.htm
2. ^ http://www.kcna.co.jp/item/1999/9908/news08/23.htm
3. ^ http://www.mercycorps.org/countries/northkorea/10918
4. ^ http://english.cctv.com/20100204/100976.shtml

External links

• North Korean Orders, Decorations,and Medals