(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 |
Date Created |
Description |
Hero Of The Republic |
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 |
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 |
Date Created |
Description |
Order Of Kim Il-Sung |
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 Order of Lenin The Order of Lenin , named after the leader of the Russian October Revolution, was the highest decoration bestowed by the Soviet Union... of the Soviet Union and other communist nation's "Cult" awards, such as the Orders of Karl Marx Order of Karl Marx The Order of Karl Marx was the most important order in the German Democratic Republic . Award of the order also included a prize of 20,000 East German marks.... and Georgi Dimitrov. The ribbon is golden with a gold star at it's centre. |
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Order Of The National Flag |
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 Flag of North Korea The flag of North Korea was adopted on September 8, 1948, as the national flag and ensign. The red star of Communism can be seen on this flag on a white disc. The flag was adopted in 1948, when Northern portion of Korea became a Communist state. The traditional Korean flag was red, white, and blue... , has a large golden stripe in the centre indicating 1st Class. |
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Order Of The National Flag |
1948-10-02 | Order ribbon has 2 gold stripes indicating 2nd Class. | |
Order Of The National Flag |
1948-10-02 | Order ribbon has 3 small gold stripes indicating 3rd Class. | |
Order Of Korean Labour |
1951-07-17 | For efficient and meritorious professional labour. | |
Order Of Soldier's Honour |
1950-06-25 | For acts of individual gallantry in combat | |
Order Of Soldier's Honour |
1950-06-25 | For acts of individual gallantry in combat | |
Order Of Admiral Yi Sun-Shin |
1950-07-13 | Conferred to flag officers and navy commanders for outstanding leadership. | |
Order Of Admiral Yi Sun-Shin |
1950-07-13 | Conferred to flag officers and navy commanders for outstanding leadership. | |
Order Of Freedom And Independence |
1951-07-17 | ||
Order Of Freedom And Independence |
1951-07-17 | ||
Order Of Military Service Honour |
1973-07-03 | ||
Order Of Military Service Honour |
1973-07-03 | ||
Order Of Military Service Honour |
1973-07-03 | ||
Order Of Colliery Service Honour |
1973-09-03 | ||
Order Of Colliery Service Honour |
1973-09-03 | ||
Order Of Colliery Service Honour |
1973-09-03 | ||
Order Of Military Engineering Service Honour |
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Order Of Military Engineering Service Honour |
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Order Of Military Engineering Service Honour |
Awarded to veteran military engineers, enlisted, NCOs and officers in the KPA for 30 years service in military engineering service |
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Order Of Fishery Service Honour |
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Order Of Fishery Service Honour |
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Order Of Railway Service Honour |
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Order Of Railway Service Honour |
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Order Of Railway Service Honour |
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Order Of Democratic People's Republic Of Korea Friendship |
1985 | ||
Order Of Democratic People's Republic Of Korea Friendship |
1985 | Awarded only to Non-Nationals. Including; Alejandro Cao de Benos  ,Norbert Vollertsen Norbert Vollertsen Norbert Vollertsen is a German doctor and human rights activist.Vollertsen practiced medicine in North Korea from 1999 to 2001 with the Cap Anamur Committee, a non-governmental cooperation organization...  in 1999Ellsworth Culver  on 2006-01-10Liu Xiaoming  on 2010-02-03. |
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Order Of The Red Banner Of Three Great Revolutions |
1986-11-20 |
Commemorative Orders
Order And Ribbon |
Name |
Date Created |
Description |
Commemorative Order "Anniversary Of The Foundation Of The People's Army" |
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. |
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Commemorative Order "20th Anniversary Of The Foundation Of The Democratic People's Republic Of Korea" |
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. |
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Commemorative Order "Foundation Of The Democratic People's Republic Of Korea" |
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. |
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Commemorative Order "40th Anniversary Of Fatherland Liberation War Victory" |
1993 | ||
Commemorative Order "5th March" |
1986-03-03 | ||
Commemorative Order "30th Anniversary Of The Agricultural Presentation" |
1990 | ||
Commemorative Order "60th Anniversary Of The People's Army" |
1992 | ||
Commemorative Order "Capital Construction" |
1992 | ||
Commemorative Order "50th Anniversary Of The Foundation Of The Democratic People's Republic Of Korea" |
1998 |
Medals
Medal And Ribbon |
Name |
Date Created |
Description |
 |
Medal For Military Merits |
1949-07-13 | Awarded for military merit achievement. |
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Medal For Merits |
1949-07-13 | Awarded for meritorious labour service. |
Medal Of Military Service Honour |
1973-07-03 | ||
Medal For Agricultural Merits |
1974-12-24 | ||
Medal Of Democratic People's Republic Of Korea Friendship |
1985 |
Commemorative Medals
Medal And Ribbon |
Name |
Date Created |
Description |
Korea 15.8.1945 |
1948-10-16 | Awarded for participation in the Korean independence armies. | |
Commemorative Medal "Great Fatherland Liberation War 1950-1953" |
1953-08-15 | ||
Commemorative Medal "Participation In The Fatherland Liberation War 1950-1953" |
1953-08-15 | ||
Commemorative Medal "Fatherland Liberation" |
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Commemorative Medal "The Foundation Of The People's Republic Of Korea" |
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Commemorative Medal "20th Anniversary Of Chongryon (General Association Of Korean Residents In Japan)" |
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" |
1990 | ||
Commemorative Medal "Capital Construction" |
1992 | ||
Commemorative Medal "Pyongyang-Nampho Highway Construction" |
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Commemorative Medal "Military Parade" |
Badges
Medal And Ribbon |
Name |
Date Created |
Description |
Commemorative Badge "20th Anniversary Of The Foundation Of The People's Army" |
1968-02-08 | ||
Cholima Honour Badge |
1968 |