Reasons why North Korean Generals wear so many medals
The medals donned by North Korean generals reflect a blend of inherited honors, political motivations, and an expansive system of recognizing both military and civilian contributions to the state. Image: North Korean leader Kim Jong Un with his military generals
North Korea’s generals are often seen adorned with an overwhelming number of medals, even though the country has not engaged in a full-scale war since the Korean War over seven decades ago. This raises the question of how these generals accumulate so many decorations in peacetime. The answer lies in a combination of traditions, political incentives, and cultural practices unique to the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK).
History of the Division of Korea: How and why did the two Koreas become fierce enemies?
Historical Context and Inherited Honors
One of the reasons for the proliferation of medals is that North Korean generals are often allowed to wear decorations originally awarded to their parents or grandparents. This tradition reflects North Korea’s emphasis on familial loyalty and continuity in service to the state. By displaying these inherited medals, generals symbolically link their achievements to those of their forebears, perpetuating a narrative of multi-generational commitment to the regime and the nation’s ideals.
The roots of North Korea’s extensive medal culture can be traced back to the Korean War (1950–1953), during which many awards were introduced to recognize military valor. As the war concluded and active conflict ceased, the scope of these decorations expanded to include contributions in non-military spheres, blurring the lines between military and civilian achievements.
Military Decorations: A Prestigious Tradition
The Order of Kim Il Sung, established in 1972, is North Korea’s highest honor, awarded to individuals demonstrating exceptional loyalty and service to the regime. Typically reserved for the Kim family’s inner circle, it has been granted fewer than a thousand times.
Military awards are considered the most prestigious honors in North Korea. The highest military decoration is the Order of Kim Il Sung, introduced in the early 1970s and awarded to those who demonstrate exceptional service or loyalty to the state.
Similar to the Order of Kim Il Sung is the Order of Kim Jong Il. Established in 2012, this honor provides an additional opportunity for high-ranking officials to showcase their allegiance.
The Order of Kim Jong Il, established on February 3, 2012, commemorates Kim Jong Il’s 70th birthday. It recognizes individuals and organizations contributing to socialism and Juche ideology, including advancements in North Korea’s space and nuclear programs.
During the Korean War, other honors such as the Hero of the Republic and the Order of Soldiers’ Honor were created to reward acts of extreme bravery and outstanding leadership.
North Korea’s Order of Soldier’s Honor
Over time, as active conflict waned, the criteria for these medals shifted to include acts of service outside the battlefield. For example, a police officer – who sacrificed himself to protect sacred writings of North Korea’s founding father – was posthumously awarded one of these prestigious honors.
The Hero of the Republic, introduced during the Korean War, honors exceptional bravery. Initially awarded for battlefield courage, it now recognizes various acts of valor, including posthumous deeds, even outside combat scenarios.
The culture of awarding medals for military service persisted even in peacetime, with lower-ranking personnel receiving honors like the Order of Freedom and Independence or the Military Merit Medal for contributions that could include logistical support, infrastructure projects, or ideological adherence.
The Order of Freedom and Independence and Military Merit Medal recognized lower-ranking soldiers, while the Order of Yi Sun-sin, named after a renowned 16th-century admiral, was exclusively awarded to Navy personnel, highlighting maritime contributions.
Expansion of Civilian Awards
As the DPRK transitioned to peacetime, the regime expanded its awards system to include civilian contributions. These honors, often more numerous than military decorations, play a critical role in maintaining morale and promoting the state’s ideology. The Hero of Labor, introduced during the Korean War, is one such example, rewarding individuals for extraordinary achievements in industries, agriculture, or education.
The Hero of Labor or Order of Labor, established during the Korean War, is North Korea’s highest civilian honor. It rewards exceptional workers or prolific mothers. Recipients enjoy top medical care, housing, first-class train travel, and educational advantages for their children.
Labor heroes enjoy privileges such as access to top medical facilities, first-class train travel, and priority placement for their children in higher education institutions. The criteria for these awards range from cultivating farmland with innovative methods to producing significant outputs under challenging conditions.
In the 1990s, North Korea began awarding medals for involvement in key construction projects, starting in 1992 with a general recognition for contributions to capital construction, marking a shift toward honoring infrastructure-related efforts.
Civil awards also extend to a wide array of professions, including merited titles for athletes, doctors, artists, and even tractor drivers. Over the decades, the state has introduced increasingly specific medals, recognizing efforts as varied as weather forecasting, geological exploration, and filmmaking.
After the Korean War, North Korea significantly expanded its civil awards, introducing People’s Prizes for achievements in arts, science, children’s welfare, and literature in the 1960s. Initial honors included titles like Merited Athlete and Merited Railroad Worker, followed by highly specific awards for salt makers, electricians, and tractor drivers. Image: Commemorative Order “Capital Construction”
Recognition of Infrastructure and Machinery
In North Korea, even participation in significant construction projects is often commemorated with medals. Since the 1990s, awards have been issued for contributions to the building of power plants, highways, and other infrastructure projects. This practice reflects the regime’s desire to elevate collective achievements and inspire loyalty among workers.
Some North Korean medals commemorate historical events like the Korean army’s founding and the state’s creation. By 2008, the latest medal celebrated the DPRK’s 60th anniversary.
Strikingly, inanimate objects, such as machines and trees, have also been awarded medals. A famous example is a 15-ton pneumatic hammer that received both the Hero of the Republic and the Hero of Labor awards for 30 years of service. Similarly, a tree that supposedly shielded a North Korean vehicle during the Korean War was posthumously honored in 2000 for its “commitment to the protection of the Fatherland.”
Medals as Political and Propaganda Tools
The excessive awarding of medals in North Korea serves a dual purpose: to solidify political loyalty and to reinforce propaganda narratives. Medals are often awarded directly by the ruling Kim family, linking the honor to their personal approval and strengthening the recipient’s allegiance to the regime. This practice fosters a culture where recognition is tied to the leader’s favor, reinforcing the hierarchical power structure.
For the general population, the sight of heavily decorated officials serves as a reminder of the state’s supposed strength and the leadership’s generosity. Medals are a visual representation of North Korea’s ideological commitment, portraying the nation as one of collective effort and heroic achievement despite economic challenges.
Propaganda mural with Kim Il Sung in Pyongyang
Maintaining Social Order Through Recognition
The proliferation of awards is also a mechanism to maintain social order. By recognizing contributions at all levels—military, civilian, and even mechanical—the regime creates an illusion of widespread opportunity and reward. This helps distract citizens from the harsh realities of daily life, particularly during periods of economic hardship or political tension.
Generals and other high-ranking officials are a focal point of this system, with their ostentatious displays of medals emphasizing the rewards of loyalty and service. For ordinary citizens, this serves as a reminder that dedication to the state can bring recognition, even if only a small, elite group truly benefits.
In North Korea, even inanimate objects, such as machines, receive awards. In 2001, a 15-ton pneumatic hammer earned both the Hero of the Republic and Hero of Labor for 30 years of consistent service, reflecting the regime’s glorification of machinery, a practice that began in the 1960s. Image: Equestrian statues of younger versions of Kim Jong Il (right) and Kim Il Sung, Pyongyang
A Unique Cultural Phenomenon
While many countries use medals and awards to recognize achievement, North Korea’s approach is unparalleled in its scale and specificity. The DPRK’s system of decoration reflects a blend of historical traditions, ideological imperatives, and propaganda needs, creating a culture where medals are awarded for virtually any contribution to the state.
This unique phenomenon is further amplified by the regime’s focus on symbolism and spectacle. From grand military parades to public ceremonies, the display of medals reinforces the narrative of North Korea as a heroic and resilient nation led by visionary leaders.
The Order of the National Flag, North Korea’s oldest order established in 1948, recognizes political, cultural, or economic achievements. Awarded in three classes, it honors both domestic and international figures, including Kim Il Sung and Fidel Castro. Image: North Korea’s Order of the National Flag
Conclusion
The abundance of medals worn by North Korean generals, even in peacetime, is not merely a quirk of the regime but a deliberate strategy rooted in its political and cultural framework. These decorations serve to commemorate achievements, reward loyalty, and perpetuate the image of a unified and heroic state.
Through a vast system of military and civilian awards, North Korea reinforces its ideology, distracts its population from hardships, and elevates the Kim family’s authority. Whether granted to individuals, machines, or even trees, these medals symbolize the regime’s control over every aspect of life, turning recognition into a tool of power and propaganda. As such, the heavily adorned uniforms of North Korean generals are not just a spectacle but a window into the intricate mechanisms of the DPRK’s authoritarian statecraft.
Frequently Asked Questions
North Korean leader Kim Jong Un with his military generals
What inspired North Korea’s award system?
North Korea’s award system was heavily influenced by the Soviet Union, as many early leaders served in the Soviet military during World War II and adopted Soviet-style awards and criteria.
When was North Korea’s award system established?
The system was introduced shortly after the founding of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea in 1948.
What is the significance of the Hero of the Republic title?
Established in 1950, it was North Korea’s highest honor for extraordinary heroism, often awarded during the Korean War and accompanied by other prestigious recognitions.
How do the Orders of Kim Il Sung and Kim Jong Il function?
These are the highest decorations, introduced in 1972 and 2012 respectively, recognizing contributions to revolutionary ideals and loyalty to the leadership.
North Koreans paying homage to the statues of Kim Jong Il and his father, Kim Il Sung, at the Mansu Hill Grand Monument
Why are awards given for civilian contributions?
Civilian awards, such as the Hero of Labor and the Order of Korean Labor, honor exceptional productivity and ideological adherence, promoting collective achievements and economic development.
What role do commemorative medals play?
Commemorative medals mark significant historical events or infrastructure projects, reinforcing national pride and the regime’s narrative.
How are sector-specific awards used?
Orders like the Colliery Service Honor and Fishery Service Honor recognize productivity in mining, fishing, and other industries, emphasizing the importance of all sectors to the state.
Why are foreign nationals sometimes recipients of awards?
Awards like the Order of DPRK Friendship are given to foreign dignitaries and specialists who strengthen ties with North Korea.
What are the People’s and Merited Titles?
These titles, such as People’s Scientist or Merited Teacher, recognize exceptional professionals in various fields, enhancing prestige while aligning them with state goals.
What is the significance of honorary badges?
Badges, such as the Chollima Honor Badge, recognize factories and teams for outstanding performance, linking economic success to ideological fervor.
How does the award system maintain social order?
By tying recognition to loyalty and achievements, the system reinforces the regime’s authority and incentivizes adherence to state directives.
What is the overarching purpose of the award system?
The awards serve to recognize contributions, promote propaganda, consolidate loyalty, and project an image of strength and unity under the leadership of the Kim dynasty.
The significance of the Order of Kim Il Sung is heightened by its annual presentation on April 15, Kim Il Sung’s birthday, a national holiday celebrating the founder of North Korea and his enduring legacy. Image: A mural in Pyongyang of a young Kim Il Sung giving a speech
