Ch'asu () is a superior military rank of North Korea, often translated as Vice Marshal. The rank is senior to that of Daejang (General) and junior to that of Wonsu (Marshal). The rank is seldom bestowed upon the professional military, and appears to be rather a combined political-military position.
The insignia for a chasu is superimposing a North Korean national crest upon a marshal's insignia star in the shoulder epaulette. Formerly, insignia for such rank holders was the emblem of North Korea until the present insignia was released in 1985.
The rank is often transliterated as ch'asu, showing the difference with the Korean word for embroidery, usually transliterated as chasu (자수).
List of North Korean vice-marshals Vice Marshal of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea조선민주주의인민공화국 차수 Vice Marshal Date of promotion Notes Choe Yong-gon최용건1900–1976 7 February 1953 Vice Marshal of the Korean People's Army조선인민군 차수 Vice Marshal Date of promotion Notes O Jin-u오진우1917–199514 April 1985Promoted to Marshal of the Korean People's Army on 20 April 1992. Ju To-il주도일1922–199420 April 1992 Ri Ul-sol리을설1921–201520 April 1992Promoted to Marshal of the Korean People's Army on 8 October 1995. Choe Kwang최광1918–199720 April 1992Promoted to Marshal of the Korean People's Army on 8 October 1995. Choe In-dok최인덕1920–200320 April 1992 Paek Hak-rim백학림1918–200620 April 1992 Ri Tu-ik리두익1921–200220 April 1992 Kim Pong-ryul김봉률1917–199520 April 1992 Kim Kwang-jin김광진1927–199720 April 1992 Kim Ik-hyon김익현1916–200915 April 1994Jo Myong-rok조명록1928–20108 October 1995 Promoted from Air Force Ri Ha-il리하일1935–20108 October 1995 Kim Yong-chun김영춘1936–20188 October 1995Promoted to Marshal of the Korean People's Army on 14 April 2016.Kim Il-chol김일철1933–202313 April 1997Promoted from People's Navy Jon Jae-son전재선born 194013 April 1997 Pak Ki-so박기서1929–201013 April 1997 Ri Jong-san리종산1922–201113 April 1997 Kim Ryong-yon김룡연1916–20087 September 1998 Ri Yong-mu리용무1925–20227 September 1998 Jang Song-u장성우1933–200913 April 2002 Ri Yong-ho리영호born 194227 September 2010 Kim Jong-gak김정각born 194115 February 2012Choe Ryong-hae최룡해born 19507 April 2012 Hyon Chol-hae현철해1934–20227 April 2012Promoted to Marshal of the Korean People's Army on 14 April 2016. Hyon Yong-chol현영철1949–201516 July 2012Demoted to Army General in October 2012.Hwang Pyong-so황병서born 194926 April 2014 Ri Myong-su리명수born 193414 April 2016 Pak Jong-chon박정천23 May 2020Promoted to Marshal of the Korean People's Army on 5 October 2020. Since demoted back to Chasu and repromoted back to Wonsu. Kim Jong-gwan김정관24 February 2021Demoted to Army General in June 2021. Kwon Yong-jin권영진24 February 2021Demoted to Army General by February 2022. Ri Yong-gil리명수born 195514 April 2022
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