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. During the years of Japanese occupation of Korea, many of the future leaders fled to the Soviet Union. During World War II many if not close to all party leaders and Korean People's Army commanders served in the Soviet Army and as such adopted many of the Soviet awards criteria for their own. During the late 1940s and until the Sino-Soviet Split in late 1958, orders and titles were made in the Soviet Money Mints in Moscow or Leningrad. Soviet made awards were modeled after Soviet orders and made of sterling silver. Initially the orders were attached to clothing with a screw-plate, but after Soviet production stopped, production was moved to North Korea. The screwback was replaced with a pin and the silver content was replaced with cheap tin. With the exception of a few examples of modern orders, Soviet and Czech KPA awards are the most sought after in current militaria markets.
Titles AwardName(English/Korean/Transliteration)Date createdDescriptionHero of the Republic공화국영웅 Konghwaguk Yŏng'ung1950-06-30The "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 the Korean War and thereafter. 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 Labour로력영웅Roryŏk Yŏng'ung1951-07-17This 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 RibbonName(English/Korean/Transliteration)Date createdDescriptionOrder of Kim Il Sung김일성 훈장Kim Ilsŏng Hunjang1972-03-20 The Order of Kim Il Sung is the highest decoration of the country. It is awarded for contributions to the revolution or upholding the dignity of the country at home or abroad. It is usually awarded around April 15 (Day of the Sun, the birthday of Kim Il Sung). Kim Jong Il was its first recipient, although he rejected the order first.Order of Kim Jong Il김정일 훈장Kim Chŏngil Hunjang2012-02-03With the issuance of Decree 2150 by the Presidium of the Supreme People's Assembly on 3 February 2012, the Order of Kim Jong Il was created for the 70th anniversary of his birth. The order measures 67 mm in length and 65 mm in width. It features the portrait of Kim Jong Il in the centre of golden ears of rice above a shining five-point star, the flag of the DPRK below and the emblem of the Workers' Party of Korea above with an engraving of "Order of Kim Jong-il" on the back with pin and serial number. It is made to give commendation to officials, service personnel, working people, military units, organs, enterprises, and organizations who provided distinguished service to the DPRK. The order ribbon is similar to the Order of Kim Il Sung in colour and the star at the centre, but its design is different.Order of the National Flag1st Class국기훈장 제1급Kukki HunjangChe il-gŭp1948-10-02Until the creation of the Order of Kim Il Sung in 1972, the highest order of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea. The ONF was based on the awarding criteria of the Soviet Order of the Badge of Honour. Awards were present to those that exemplified themselves in the fields of science, economics, and teachings of socialist ideologies.Order of the National Flag2nd Class국기훈장제2급Kukki HunjangChe i-gŭp1948-10-02Order ribbon has 2 gold stripes indicating 2nd Class. Order of the National Flag3rd Class국기훈장제3급Kukki HunjangChe sam-gŭp1948-10-02Order ribbon has 3 small gold stripes indicating 3rd Class.Order of Korean Labour조선로력훈장Chosŏn Roryŏk Hunjang1951-07-17For efficient and meritorious professional labour. Notable recipients: Catherine Denguiadé, empress of the Central African Empire. King Gyanendra Bir Bikram Shah Dev of Nepal Konrad Püschel, East German architect and town planner, for his work rebuilding the cities of Hamhung and Hungnam.Dong-Sam Sin (2016) Die Planung des Wiederaufbaus der Städte Hamhung und Hungnam in Nordkorea durch die DAG-Städtebaubrigade der DDR von 1955 - 1962. A dissertation for HafenCity Universität Hamburg Kang Ki-sop, Director of the Korean General Administration of Civil Aviation.Soldier's Medal of Honour1st Class전사영예훈장제1급Chŏnsa Yŏng'ye HunjangChe il-gŭp1950-07-01For acts of individual gallantry in combat. The insignia design is similar to the Soviet Union Order of the Red Star (soldier on central crest encircled with wreaths) and Order of the Patriotic War (Red enamel five-pointed star, made of gold/silver, with straight rays in the background, and crossed sabre and a rifle) combined.Soldier's Medal of Honour2nd Class전사영예훈장제2급Chŏnsa Yŏng'ye HunjangChe i-gŭp1950-07-01Order of Admiral Yi Sun-Shin1st Class이순신장군훈장제1급I Sunsin Changgun HunjangChe il-gŭp1950-07-13Conferred upon flag officers and navy commanders for outstanding leadership. The 1st class is never issued and the order is discontinued. Order of Admiral Yi Sun-Shin2nd Class이순신장군훈장 제2급I Sunsin Changgun HunjangChe i-gŭpOrder of Freedom and Independence1st Class자유독립훈장 제1급Sayu Tongnip HunjangChe il-gŭp1951-07-17The original screwplate or pin back awards were given to Division, Corp or Army field commanders for achievement in battle. The medal was awarded to commanders in both the KPA and the PLA. During the reign of Kim Jong Il, the award became a necktie style, has lost its battlefield prestige and given for reason more political than military. Awarded to Regiment or lower formation commanders for skill in battle.Order of Freedom and Independence2nd Class자유독립훈장 제2급Sayu Tongnip HunjangChe i-gŭp Order of Military Service Honour1st Class군사복무영예훈장제1급Kunsa Pongmu Yŏng'ye HunjangChe il-gŭp1973-07-03Awarded for meritorious achievement and distinguished service to higher ranks of the armed forces. Order of Military Service Honour2nd Class군사복무영예훈장제2급Kunsa Pongmu Yŏng'ye HunjangChe i-gŭp Order of Military Service Honour3rd Class군사복무영예훈장제3급Kunsa Pongmu Yŏng'ye HunjangChe sam-gŭp Order of Colliery Service Honour1st Class석탄광업복무영예훈장제1급Sŏkt'an Kwang'ŏp Pongmu Yŏng'ye HunjangChe il-gŭp1973-09-03Awarded to mine workers for long service or especial achievements in productivity. Order of Colliery Service Honour2nd Class석탄광업복무영예훈장제2급Sŏkt'an Kwang'ŏp Pongmu Yŏng'ye HunjangChe i-gŭp Order of Colliery Service Honour3rd Class석탄광업복무영예훈장제3급Sŏkt'an Kwang'ŏp Pongmu Yŏng'ye HunjangChe sam-gŭp Order of Military Engineering Service Honour10 Years군수공복무영예훈장10Kunsugong Pongmu Yŏng'ye HunjangsipAwarded to veteran military engineers, enlisted, NCOs and officers in the KPA for 10 years service in military engineering service Order of Military Engineering Service Honour20 Years군수공복무영예훈장20Kunsugong Pongmu Yŏng'ye HunjangisipAwarded to veteran military engineers, enlisted, NCOs and officers in the KPA for 20 years service in military engineering service Order of Military Engineering Service Honour30 Years군수공복무영예훈장30Kunsugong Pongmu Yŏng'ye HunjangsamsipAwarded to veteran military engineers, enlisted, NCOs and officers in the KPA for 30 years service in military engineering service Order of Fishery Service Honour1st Class수산복무영예훈장제1급Susan Pongmu Yŏng'ye HunjangChe il-gŭp1986Awarded for merit recognition within the fishery sector. Order of Fishery Service Honour2nd Class수산복무영예훈장제2급Susan Pongmu Yŏng'ye HunjangChe i-gŭp Order of Railway Service Honour1st Class철도복무영예훈장제1급Ch'ŏldo Pongmu Yŏng'ye HunjangChe il-gŭp1988-10-6Awarded for merit and service recognition within the railway industry. Order of Railway Service Honour2nd Class철도복무영예훈장제2급Ch'ŏldo Pongmu Yŏng'ye HunjangChe i-gŭp Order of Railway Service Honour3rd Class철도복무영예훈장제3급Ch'ŏldo Pongmu Yŏng'ye HunjangChe sam-gŭp Order of Democratic People's Republic of Korea Friendship1st Class조선민주주의인민공화국친선훈장제1급Chosŏn Minjujuŭi Inmin Konghwaguk Ch'insŏn HunjangChe il-gŭp1985-07-25Awarded to foreign Dignitaries, Specialists, and diplomats who performed distinguished service or meritorious achievements in strengthening their countries friendship with North Korea. Awarded only to non-nationals. Including; Antonio Inoki in 2010-09 Order of Democratic People's Republic of Korea Friendship2nd Class조선민주주의인민공화국친선훈장제2급Chosŏn Minjujuŭi Inmin Konghwaguk Ch'insŏn HunjangChe i-gŭpAwarded to foreign Dignitaries, Specialists, and diplomats who performed distinguished service or meritorious achievements in strengthening their countries friendship with North Korea. Awarded only to non-nationals. Including;Alejandro Cao de Benos Norbert Vollertsen in 1999Ellsworth Culver on 2006-01-10Liu Xiaoming on 2010-02-03.Order of the Red Banner of Three Great Revolutions3대혁명붉은기훈장Sam Tae Hyŏngmyŏng Pulg'ŭngi Hunjang1986-11-20Awarded for distinguished service or achievement in the fields of ideology, technology and culture.Order of Teacher's Honor1st Class2008-04-10Awarded to teachers who have devotedly worked to implement Kim Il Sung's Theses on Socialist EducationOrder of Teacher's Honor2nd ClassOrder of Teacher's Honor3rd ClassOrder of Kunjari Working Class2016-04-07Awarded to munitions industry officials and workers who have distinguished themselves in the Kunjari Working Class mass campaign
Commemorative orders