North Korean Military Ranks Explained (Simply)

Ever looked at a photo of a North Korean military parade and wondered why some of those generals have enough medals on their chests to stop a bullet? It’s a lot. Honestly, the North Korean military ranks system is one of the most bloated, fascinating, and confusing hierarchies on the planet.

If you're trying to figure out who actually holds the power in Pyongyang, looking at the shoulder boards is a good start, but it doesn't tell the whole story. As of early 2026, things are shifting. We’ve seen veteran hardliners like Ri Pyong-chol step back due to age, while newer faces are climbing the ladder after the high-profile deployments to Russia in late 2024 and 2025.

Basically, the Korean People’s Army (KPA) uses a system that looks a bit like the old Soviet model, but they’ve added a bunch of "special" layers at the top to make sure everyone knows exactly who the boss is.

The "God Tier" Ranks (The Marshals)

At the very top, you have the Wonsu ranks. These aren't just military positions; they are political statements.

• Grand Marshal (Tae-wonsu): This is the highest possible rank. Currently, it’s mostly an honorific for the dead. Both Kim Il Sung and Kim Jong Il were given this title. There’s been talk for years about Kim Jong Un taking it, but for now, he seems content with his current status.
• Marshal of the DPRK (Konghwaguk Wonsu): This is Kim Jong Un’s primary military title. It’s distinct from the regular "Marshal" rank because it implies authority over the entire Republic, not just the army.
• Marshal of the KPA (Inmingun Wonsu): This is for the elite of the elite—the career military guys. Think of legendary (and sometimes controversial) figures like Ri Pyong-chol or Pak Jong-chon.

The insignia for these guys is usually a massive single star, often with the national coat of arms. If you see a guy with a star that looks like it belongs on top of a Christmas tree, he’s a Marshal.

Decoding the General Officers

Moving down from the Marshals, we hit the Jang-seong—the generals. This is where the real day-to-day command happens. Unlike the US system, which caps at four stars, North Korea goes up to four "regular" general ranks plus a "Vice Marshal" bridge.

1. Vice Marshal (Chasu): This is a unique rank that sits between a four-star general and a Marshal. It’s a bit of a "limbo" rank for top-tier loyalists.
2. General (Dae-jang): Four stars. These guys lead the various branches like the Navy or Air Force.
3. Colonel General (Sang-jang): Three stars.
4. Lieutenant General (Jung-jang): Two stars.
5. Major General (So-jang): One star.

One thing you've gotta realize: rank in North Korea is incredibly fluid. You can be a four-star general on Tuesday, get "purged" or demoted to a two-star on Wednesday for a minor mistake, and then magically reappear as a three-star a year later if Kim Jong Un decides he needs your expertise. Pak Jong-chon is the poster child for this—he’s been up and down the ladder more times than a window cleaner.

The Officers: Senior and Junior

This is where the bulk of the leadership lives. They split their officers into two groups: "Senior" (Yeong-gwan) and "Junior" (Wi-gwan).

The Senior Grade

• Senior Colonel (Dae-jwa): This is another "North Korea special." Most militaries go from Colonel straight to General. North Korea adds this "super-colonel" rank in between.
• Colonel (Sang-jwa)
• Lieutenant Colonel (Jung-jwa)
• Major (So-jwa)

The Junior Grade

• Captain (Dae-wi)
• Senior Lieutenant (Sang-wi)
• First Lieutenant (Jung-wi)
• Second Lieutenant (So-wi)

Notice a pattern? They use the prefixes Dae (Great/Senior), Sang (High), Jung (Middle), and So (Junior) across almost every tier. It makes it easy to remember once you get the hang of the prefixes.

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The Enlisted and NCOs: The "Million-Man" Backbone

The vast majority of the KPA consists of conscripts. In North Korea, military service isn't just a job; it’s a decade-long (or longer) rite of passage.

• Master Sergeant (Teukmu-sang-sa): These are the guys who actually know how things work.
• Sergeant 1st Class (Sang-sa)
• Sergeant (Jung-sa)
• Staff Sergeant (Ha-sa)

Then you have the privates, or Byeong. They range from Senior Corporal (Sang-geub-byeong-sa) down to the lowly Private (Jeon-sa). Most of these guys are spending more time farming or building apartments than practicing with live ammo, especially given the country's economic struggles.

Why These Ranks Actually Matter in 2026

You might think this is just nerdy trivia, but tracking North Korean military ranks is the only way intelligence agencies can figure out who's in favor.

For instance, in the 2026 Unification Ministry directory, we saw Cha Yong-bom and Kim Yong-bok getting massive bumps in visibility. Why? Because they were the ones managing the logistics for the troops sent to Russia. Their rise tells us that North Korea is leaning hard into its new "blood alliance" with Moscow.

Also, it's worth noting that the "Military-First" (Songun) policy of the old days has been replaced by Kim Jong Un’s "People-First" principle. On paper, this means the Party is back in charge of the military. In reality, it just means the military has to work harder for the Party’s economic goals.

Actionable Insights for the Curious

If you’re trying to keep track of the North Korean hierarchy, don't just look at the ranks—look at the seats.

• Watch the Politburo: If a General is also a member of the Politburo Presidium, he is a major player. If he’s just a General, he’s a technician.
• Check the "Double Firsts": North Korea recently expanded the roles of "First Vice Minister" in the Defense Ministry. These are the guys doing the actual work while the old Marshals sit for photos.
• Follow the Ribbons: In North Korea, medals are often "group awards" given to entire units. A guy with fifty medals might not be a war hero; his unit might just have been very good at "loyalty singing" or potato harvesting that year.

To get the most accurate current data, you should keep an eye on the Ministry of Unification's annual power-structure charts or specialized trackers like NK News or 38 North. They do the heavy lifting of squinting at blurry state media photos to see who has been promoted or demoted this month.

Next Steps for Research:
Check the latest 2026 leadership directory from the South Korean Ministry of Unification. It provides the most up-to-date mapping of which specific generals currently hold the "First Vice" positions within the General Staff Department. This is currently the most active area of movement within the KPA hierarchy.