Comparative military ranks of Korea

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The comparative military ranks of Korea are the military insignia used by the two nations on the Korean Peninsula, those being the Republic of Korea Armed Forces (South Korea) and the Korean People's Army of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (North Korea). The United States Forces Korea personnel wear the ranks and insignia used by other service personnel of the United States Armed Forces in the territories of the United States.

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In the South Korean armed forces, ranks fall into one of four categories: commissioned officer, warrant officer, non-commissioned officer, and junior enlisted ("Byeong"), in decreasing order of authority. Commissioned officer ranks are subdivided into general officers ("Jangseong"; 장성/將星), field-grade officers ("Yeonggwan"; 영관/領官), and company-grade officers ("Wigwan"; 위관/尉官). The ranks of all three branches (the Army, Navy, and Air Force) of the South Korean Armed Forces share the same titles in Hangul. Most ranks of South and North Korea are identical, with some exceptions such as the supreme North Korean ranks.

While the North Korean ranks are inspired by the Soviet ranks, [1] the South Korean ranks are inspired by the United States. [2]

The following table lists the comparative ranks of the militaries in Korea, including their rank titles and insignia. In this table, the North Korean military rank insignia shown is that of their Army field uniform shoulder boards; their parade uniforms and uniforms of other branches use alternative color schemes with the same basic design. The South Korean likewise have subdued versions of their insignia in each of their branches.

Special ranks

North Korean rankNorth Korean insignia [3]
Grand Marshal of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea
(Korean : 대원수, romanized:  Tae wonsu ) [a]
DPRK-Army-OF-12.svg
Marshal of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea
(Korean : 공화국원수, romanized: Konghwaguk Wonsu ) [b]
DPRK-Army-OF-11.svg

Officer ranks

The shoulder boards and sleeve stripes of South Korean ranks apply only to their navies. North Korea's People's Army does not maintain a separate marine corps or naval infantry branch as part of their armed forces, although it does maintain two "amphibious sniper brigades" as part of the North Korean Special Operation Force (NKSOF). North Korean insignia follow the Soviet pattern, while South Korean insignia follow a mix of American and British rank insignia traditions.

No one has held the five-star rank Wonsu in the history of the ROK Armed Forces.

Army ranks

Rank groupGeneral / flag officersSenior officersJunior officers
Flag of the Korean People's Army Ground Force (2023-).svg  Korean People's Army Ground Force [4]
DPRK-Army-OF-10b.svg DPRK-Army-OF-10a.svg DPRK-Army-OF-9.svg DPRK-Army-OF-8.svg DPRK-Army-OF-7.svg DPRK-Army-OF-6.svg DPRK-Army-OF-5b.svg DPRK-Army-OF-5a.svg DPRK-Army-OF-4.svg DPRK-Army-OF-3.svg DPRK-Army-OF-2.svg DPRK-Army-OF-1c.svg DPRK-Army-OF-1b.svg DPRK-Army-OF-1a.svg
인민군원수
Inmingun-wonsu
차수
Chasu
대장
Daejang
상장
Sangjang
중장
Chungjang
소장
Sojang
대좌
Daechwa
상좌
Sangjwa
중좌
Chungjwa
소좌
Sojwa
대위
Taewi
상위
Sangwi
중위
Chungwi
소위
Sowi
Flag of the Republic of Korea Army.svg  Republic of Korea Army [5]
SouthKorea-Army-OF-10.svg SouthKorea-Army-OF-9.svg SouthKorea-Army-OF-8.svg SouthKorea-Army-OF-7.svg SouthKorea-Army-OF-6.svg SouthKorea-Army-OF-5.svg SouthKorea-Army-OF-4.svg SouthKorea-Army-OF-3.svg SouthKorea-Army-OF-2.svg SouthKorea-Army-OF-1b.svg SouthKorea-Army-OF-1a.svg
원수
Wonsu
대장
Daejang
중장
Jungjang
소장
Sojang
준장
Junjang
대령
Daeryeong
중령
Jungnyeong
소령
Soryeong
대위
Daewi
중위
Jungwi
소위
Sowi
Rank groupGeneral / flag officersSenior officersJunior officers

All DPRK Marshalls wear Ground Force uniform as there is no division of Branch after this rank.

Air force ranks

Rank groupGeneral / flag officersSenior officersJunior officers
Flag of the Korean People's Army Air and Anti-Air Force (Obverse).svg  Korean People's Army Air Force [4]
DPRK-AirForce-OF-10b.svg DPRK-AirForce-OF-10a.svg DPRK-AirForce-OF-9.svg DPRK-AirForce-OF-8.svg DPRK-AirForce-OF-7.svg DPRK-AirForce-OF-6.svg DPRK-AirForce-OF-5b.svg DPRK-AirForce-OF-5a.svg DPRK-AirForce-OF-4.svg DPRK-AirForce-OF-3.svg DPRK-AirForce-OF-2.svg DPRK-AirForce-OF-1c.svg DPRK-AirForce-OF-1b.svg DPRK-AirForce-OF-1a.svg
인민군원수
Inmingun-wonsu
차수
Chasu
대장
Daejang
상장
Sangjang
중장
Chungjang
소장
Sojang
대좌
Daechwa
상좌
Sangjwa
중좌
Chungjwa
소좌
Sojwa
대위
Taewi
상위
Sangwi
중위
Chungwi
소위
Sowi
Flag of the Republic of Korea Air Force.svg  Republic of Korea Air Force [6]
SouthKorea-AirForce-OF-10.svg SouthKorea-AirForce-OF-9.svg SouthKorea-AirForce-OF-8.svg SouthKorea-AirForce-OF-7.svg SouthKorea-AirForce-OF-6.svg SouthKorea-AirForce-OF-5.svg SouthKorea-AirForce-OF-4.svg SouthKorea-AirForce-OF-3.svg SouthKorea-AirForce-OF-2.svg SouthKorea-AirForce-OF-1b.svg SouthKorea-AirForce-OF-1a.svg
원수
Wonsu
대장
Daejang
중장
Jungjang
소장
Sojang
준장
Junjang
대령
Daeryeong
중령
Jungnyeong
소령
Soryeong
대위
Daewi
중위
Jungwi
소위
Sowi
Rank groupGeneral / flag officersSenior officersJunior officers

ROK Navy commissioned officer ranks have two distinct sets of rank insignia: On dress uniform a series of stripes similar to the United States Navy naval ranks are worn; on service uniforms, working uniforms, and special uniform situations (combat utilities and flight suits), the rank insignia are the same as the equivalent rank in the Army or the Air Force.

Rank groupGeneral / flag officersSenior officersJunior officers
Flag of the Korean People's Army Navy (Obverse).svg  Korean People's Navy [4]
DPRK-Navy-OF-10b.svg DPRK-Navy-OF-10a.svg DPRK-Navy-OF-9.svg DPRK-Navy-OF-8.svg DPRK-Navy-OF-7.svg DPRK-Navy-OF-6.svg DPRK-Navy-OF-5b.svg DPRK-Navy-OF-5a.svg DPRK-Navy-OF-4.svg DPRK-Navy-OF-3.svg DPRK-Navy-OF-2.svg DPRK-Navy-OF-1c.svg DPRK-Navy-OF-1b.svg DPRK-Navy-OF-1a.svg
인민군원수
Inmingun-wonsu
차수
Chasu
대장
Daejang
상장
Sangjang
중장
Chungjang
소장
Sojang
대좌
Daechwa
상좌
Sangjwa
중좌
Chungjwa
소좌
Sojwa
대위
Taewi
상위
Sangwi
중위
Chungwi
소위
Sowi
Flag of the Republic of Korea Navy.svg  Republic of Korea Navy [7]
SouthKorea-Collar-OF-10.svg SouthKorea-Collar-OF-9.svg SouthKorea-Collar-OF-8.svg SouthKorea-Collar-OF-7.svg SouthKorea-Collar-OF-6.svg SouthKorea-Collar-OF-5.svg SouthKorea-Collar-OF-4.svg SouthKorea-Collar-OF-3.svg SouthKorea-Collar-OF-2.svg SouthKorea-Collar-OF-1b.svg SouthKorea-Collar-OF-1a.svg
SouthKorea-Navy-OF-10.svg SouthKorea-Navy-OF-9.svg SouthKorea-Navy-OF-8.svg SouthKorea-Navy-OF-7.svg SouthKorea-Navy-OF-6.svg SouthKorea-Navy-OF-5 (sleeve).svg SouthKorea-Navy-OF-4 (sleeve).svg SouthKorea-Navy-OF-3 (sleeve).svg SouthKorea-Navy-OF-2 (sleeve).svg SouthKorea-Navy-OF-1b (sleeve).svg SouthKorea-Navy-OF-1a (sleeve).svg
원수
Wonsu
대장
Daejang
중장
Jungjang
소장
Sojang
준장
Junjang
대령
Daeryeong
중령
Jungnyeong
소령
Soryeong
대위
Daewi
중위
Jungwi
소위
Sowi
Rank groupGeneral / flag officersSenior officersJunior officers

Marine Corps

Rank groupGeneral / flag officersSenior officersJunior officers
Flag of the Republic of Korea Marine Corps.svg  Republic of Korea Marine Corps [6]
ROKMC-OF-9.svg ROKMC-OF-8.svg ROKMC-OF-7.svg ROKMC-OF-6.svg ROKMC-OF-5.svg ROKMC-OF-4.svg ROKMC-OF-3.svg ROKMC-OF-2.svg ROKMC-OF-1b.svg ROKMC-OF-1a.svg
대장
Daejang
중장
Jungjang
소장
Sojang
준장
Junjang
대령
Daeryeong
중령
Jungnyeong
소령
Soryeong
대위
Daewi
중위
Jungwi
소위
Sowi
Rank groupGeneral/flag officersSenior officersJunior officers

Warrant officer ranks

All branches of the South Korean armed forces maintain a single Warrant Officer rank known as Junwi . Warrant Officers fall in between non-commissioned and commissioned officers. The rank is denoted by a gold-colored Sowi insignia and, in the case of the South Korean Navy, a single broken sleeve stripe. The North Korean military does not maintain any equivalent Warrant Officer positions.

Military BranchArmyNavyMarine CorpsAir Force
Insignia SouthKorea-Collar-WO.svg
SouthKorea-Army-WO.svg SouthKorea-Navy-WO (sleeve).svg ROKMC-WO.svg SouthKorea-AirForce-WO.svg
Rank title준위
准尉
Junwi

Enlisted ranks

Both North Korea and South Korea share the same enlisted rank structure among all of their military branches. Enlisted rank insignia differ however: The ROKAF uses a mix of American, British, and French practice while the KPA's insignia follow Soviet practice.

In the South Korean armed forces, personnel with ranks of Hasa through Wonsa are considered non-commissioned officers. There are enlisted ranks called "Lance corporal", and "Corporal" in English, but they are not considered non-commissioned officer ranks, though they are treated as one if they hold an NCO position. Ideungbyeong (이등병;2等兵, sometimes translated as private), Ildeungbyeong (일등병; 1等兵, sometimes translated as private first class), and Sangdeungbyeong (상등병; 上等兵, equivalent of a lance corporal) are commonly referred to as Ibyeong, Ilbyeong, and Sangbyeong respectively.

Army ranks

Rank groupSenior NCOsJunior NCOsEnlisted
Flag of the Korean People's Army Ground Force (2023-).svg  Korean People's Army Ground Force [4]
Chief Master Sergeant rank insignia North Korea-V.svg Senior Sergeant rank insignia North Korea-V.svg Sergeant rank insignia North Korea-V.svg Junior Sergeant rank insignia North Korea-V.svg Senior Corporal rank insignia North Korea-V.svg Corporal rank insignia North Korea-V.svg Lance Corporal rank insignia North Korea-V.svg Private rank insignia North Korea-V.svg
특무상사
T'ŭkmu-sangsa
상사
Sangsa
중사
Chungsa
하사
Hasa
상급병사
Sanggŭp-pyŏngsa
중급병사
Chungŭp-pyŏngsa
하급병사
Hagŭp-pyŏngsa
전사
Chŏnsa
Flag of the Republic of Korea Army.svg  Republic of Korea Army [5]
SouthKorea-Army-OR-8.svg SouthKorea-Army-OR-7.svg SouthKorea-Army-OR-6.svg SouthKorea-Army-OR-5.svg SouthKorea-Army-OR-4.svg SouthKorea-Army-OR-3.svg SouthKorea-Army-OR-2.svg SouthKorea-Army-OR-1.svg
원사
Wonsa
상사
Sangsa
중사
Jungsa
하사
Hasa
병장
Byeongjang
상등병
Sangdeungbyeong
일등병
Ildeungbyeong
이등병
Ideungbyeong
Rank groupSenior NCOsJunior NCOsEnlisted

Air force ranks

Rank groupSenior NCOsJunior NCOsEnlisted
Flag of the Korean People's Army Air and Anti-Air Force (Obverse).svg  Korean People's Army Air Force [4]
Master Aircrew rank insignia v (North Korea).svg Flight Sergeant rank insignia v (North Korea).svg Sergeant rank insignia v (North Korean Air Force).svg Junior Sergeant rank insignia v (North Korean Air Force).svg Corporal rank insignia v (North Korean Air Force).svg Senior Aircraftman rank insignia v (North Korea).svg Leading Aircraftman rank insignia v (North Korea).svg Aircraftman rank insignia v (North Korea).svg
특무상사
T'ŭkmu-sangsa
상사
Sangsa
중사
Chungsa
하사
Hasa
상급병사
Sanggŭp-pyŏngsa
중급병사
Chungŭp-pyŏngsa
하급병사
Hagŭp-pyŏngsa
전사
Chŏnsa
Flag of the Republic of Korea Air Force.svg  Republic of Korea Air Force [6]
SouthKorea-AirForce-OR-9.svg SouthKorea-AirForce-OR-8.svg SouthKorea-AirForce-OR-7.svg SouthKorea-AirForce-OR-6.svg Rokaf4.png Rokaf3.png Rokaf2.png Rokaf1.png
원사
Wonsa
상사
Sangsa
중사
Jungsa
하사
Hasa
병장
Byeongjang
상등병
Sangdeungbyeong
일등병
Ildeungbyeong
이등병
Ideungbyeong
Rank groupSenior NCOsJunior NCOsEnlisted

In reality, personnel in Sangsa and Wonsa rates are considered as chief petty officers (i.e. Chief Petty Officer and Master Chief Petty Officer, respectively) in the South Korean navy. Byeongjang and below are commonly referred to as "Subyeong" (seaman).

Rank groupSenior NCOsJunior NCOsEnlisted
Flag of the Korean People's Army Navy (Obverse).svg  Korean People's Navy [4]
Chief Petty Officer rank insignia vertical (North Korea).svg Petty Officer First Class rank insignia vertical (North Korea).svg Petty Officer Second Class rank insignia vertical (North Korea).svg Petty Officer Third Class rank insignia vertical (North Korea).svg Able Seaman rank insignia vertical (North Korea).svg Seaman rank insignia vertical (North Korea).svg Seaman Apprentice rank insignia vertical (North Korea).svg Seaman Recruit rank insignia vertical (North Korea).svg
특무상사
T'ŭkmu-sangsa
상사
Sangsa
중사
Chungsa
하사
Hasa
상급병사
Sanggŭp-pyŏngsa
중급병사
Chungŭp-pyŏngsa
하급병사
Hagŭp-pyŏngsa
전사
Chŏnsa
Flag of the Republic of Korea Navy.svg  Republic of Korea Navy [7]
SouthKorea-Navy-OR-9.svg SouthKorea-Navy-OR-8.svg SouthKorea-Navy-OR-7.svg SouthKorea-Navy-OR-6.svg SouthKorea-Navy-OR-4.svg SouthKorea-Navy-OR-3.svg SouthKorea-Navy-OR-2.svg SouthKorea-Navy-OR-1.svg
원사
Wonsa
상사
Sangsa
중사
Jungsa
하사
Hasa
병장
Byeongjang
상등병
Sangdeungbyeong
일등병
Ildeungbyeong
이등병
Ideungbyeong
Rank groupSenior NCOsJunior NCOsEnlisted

Marine Corps

Rank groupSenior NCOsJunior NCOsEnlisted
Flag of the Republic of Korea Marine Corps.svg  Republic of Korea Marine Corps [6]
ROKMC-OR-9.svg ROKMC-OR-8.svg ROKMC-OR-7.svg ROKMC-OR-6.svg ROKMC-OR-4.svg ROKMC-OR-3.svg ROKMC-OR-2.svg ROKMC-OR-1.svg
원사
Wonsa
상사
Sangsa
중사
Jungsa
하사
Hasa
병장
Byeongjang
상등병
Sangdeungbyeong
일등병
Ildeungbyeong
이등병
Ideungbyeong
Rank groupSenior NCOsJunior NCOsEnlisted

See also

Notes

In the article, all South Korean ranks are spelled accordingly with the Revised Romanization of Korean system; all North Korean ranks use the McCune-Reischauer system.

  1. Highest possible political-military rank of North Korea and is intended to be an honorific title for the nation’s Great Leaders.
  2. Highest political-military rank reserved only for Supreme Leader of North Korea.

References

  1. Keegan, John (1979). "North Korea" . In Keegan, John (ed.). World armies. Sandhurst: Royal Military Academy. p. 409. LCCN   79-9217 . Retrieved 31 January 2022.
  2. Keegan, John (1979). "South Korea" . In Keegan, John (ed.). World armies. Sandhurst: Royal Military Academy. p. 415. LCCN   79-9217 . Retrieved 31 January 2022.
  3. Tertitskiy, Fyodor (14 March 2017). "North Korea's baffling personalized rank insignia, explained". NK News . Korea Risk Group. Retrieved 25 October 2021.
  4. 1 2 3 4 5 6 Minnich, James M. (2008). "National Security". In Worden, Robert L. (ed.). North Korea: a country study. Area Handbook (5th ed.). Washington, D.C.: Library of Congress. pp. 266, 268. LCCN   2008028547 . Retrieved 20 October 2021.
  5. 1 2 "Army Insignia". army.mil.kr. Republic of Korea Army. Retrieved 2 June 2021.
  6. 1 2 3 4 "gyegeubjang-ui jesig(je7joje2hang gwanlyeon)" 계급장의 제식(제7조제2항 관련) [Rank insignia (related to Article 7 (2))]. law.go.kr (in Korean). Retrieved 30 December 2021.
  7. 1 2 "해군계급장/해군흉.휘장". navy.mil.kr (in Korean). Republic of Korea Navy. Retrieved 2 June 2021.