Comparative military ranks of Korea

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.

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

[edit]

North Korean rank  | North Korean insignia[3]

|

Grand Marshal of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea
(Korean: 대원수, romanized: Tae wonsu)[a] |

Marshal of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea
(Korean: 공화국원수, romanized: Konghwaguk Wonsu)[b] |

## Officer ranks

[edit]

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

[edit]

Rank group  | General / flag officers  | Senior officers  | Junior officers

|
|
|

Korean People's Army Ground Force[4]

* v
* t
* e

|  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
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
Republic of Korea Army[5]

* v
* t
* e

|  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |

Wonsu | 대장
Daejang | 중장
Jungjang | 소장
Sojang | 준장
Junjang | 대령
Daeryeong | 중령
Jungnyeong | 소령
Soryeong | 대위
Daewi | 중위
Jungwi | 소위
Sowi
Rank group  | General / flag officers  | Senior officers  | Junior officers

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

### Air force ranks

[edit]

Rank group  | General / flag officers  | Senior officers  | Junior officers

|
|
|

Korean People's Army Air Force[4]

* v
* t
* e

|  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
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
Republic of Korea Air Force[6]

* v
* t
* e

|  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |

Wonsu | 대장
Daejang | 중장
Jungjang | 소장
Sojang | 준장
Junjang | 대령
Daeryeong | 중령
Jungnyeong | 소령
Soryeong | 대위
Daewi | 중위
Jungwi | 소위
Sowi
Rank group  | General / flag officers  | Senior officers  | Junior officers

### Naval ranks

[edit]

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 group  | General / flag officers  | Senior officers  | Junior officers

|
|
|

Korean People's Navy[4]

* v
* t
* e

|  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
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
Republic of Korea Navy[7]

* v
* t
* e

|  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
|  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |

Wonsu | 대장
Daejang | 중장
Jungjang | 소장
Sojang | 준장
Junjang | 대령
Daeryeong | 중령
Jungnyeong | 소령
Soryeong | 대위
Daewi | 중위
Jungwi | 소위
Sowi
Rank group  | General / flag officers  | Senior officers  | Junior officers

### Marine Corps

[edit]

Rank group  | General / flag officers  | Senior officers  | Junior officers

|
|
|

Republic of Korea Marine Corps[6]

* v
* t
* e

|  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |

Daejang | 중장
Jungjang | 소장
Sojang | 준장
Junjang | 대령
Daeryeong | 중령
Jungnyeong | 소령
Soryeong | 대위
Daewi | 중위
Jungwi | 소위
Sowi
Rank group  | General/flag officers  | Senior officers  | Junior officers

## Warrant officer ranks

[edit]

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 Branch  | Army  | Navy  | Marine Corps  | Air Force

|
|
|
|

Insignia  |
|  |  |
Rank title  | 준위

Junwi

## Enlisted ranks

[edit]

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

[edit]

Rank group  | Senior NCOs  | Junior NCOs  | Enlisted

|
|
|

Korean People's Army Ground Force[4]

* v
* t
* e

|  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
특무상사
T'ŭkmu-sangsa | 상사
Sangsa | 중사
Chungsa | 하사
Hasa | 상급병사
Sanggŭp-pyŏngsa | 중급병사
Chungŭp-pyŏngsa | 하급병사
Hagŭp-pyŏngsa | 전사
Chŏnsa
Republic of Korea Army[5]

* v
* t
* e

|  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |

Wonsa | 상사
Sangsa | 중사
Jungsa | 하사
Hasa | 병장
Byeongjang | 상등병
Sangdeungbyeong | 일등병
Ildeungbyeong | 이등병
Ideungbyeong
Rank group  | Senior NCOs  | Junior NCOs  | Enlisted

### Air force ranks

[edit]

Rank group  | Senior NCOs  | Junior NCOs  | Enlisted

|
|
|

Korean People's Army Air Force[4]

* v
* t
* e

|  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
특무상사
T'ŭkmu-sangsa | 상사
Sangsa | 중사
Chungsa | 하사
Hasa | 상급병사
Sanggŭp-pyŏngsa | 중급병사
Chungŭp-pyŏngsa | 하급병사
Hagŭp-pyŏngsa | 전사
Chŏnsa
Republic of Korea Air Force[6]

* v
* t
* e

|  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |

Wonsa | 상사
Sangsa | 중사
Jungsa | 하사
Hasa | 병장
Byeongjang | 상등병
Sangdeungbyeong | 일등병
Ildeungbyeong | 이등병
Ideungbyeong
Rank group  | Senior NCOs  | Junior NCOs  | Enlisted

### Navy ranks

[edit]

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 group  | Senior NCOs  | Junior NCOs  | Enlisted

|
|
|

Korean People's Navy[4]

* v
* t
* e

|  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
특무상사
T'ŭkmu-sangsa | 상사
Sangsa | 중사
Chungsa | 하사
Hasa | 상급병사
Sanggŭp-pyŏngsa | 중급병사
Chungŭp-pyŏngsa | 하급병사
Hagŭp-pyŏngsa | 전사
Chŏnsa
Republic of Korea Navy[7]

* v
* t
* e

|  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |

Wonsa | 상사
Sangsa | 중사
Jungsa | 하사
Hasa | 병장
Byeongjang | 상등병
Sangdeungbyeong | 일등병
Ildeungbyeong | 이등병
Ideungbyeong
Rank group  | Senior NCOs  | Junior NCOs  | Enlisted

### Marine Corps

[edit]

Rank group  | Senior NCOs  | Junior NCOs  | Enlisted

|
|
|

Republic of Korea Marine Corps[6]

* v
* t
* e

|  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |

Wonsa | 상사
Sangsa | 중사
Jungsa | 하사
Hasa | 병장
Byeongjang | 상등병
Sangdeungbyeong | 일등병
Ildeungbyeong | 이등병
Ideungbyeong
Rank group  | Senior NCOs  | Junior NCOs  | Enlisted

## See also

[edit]

* Comparative military ranks
* Comparative army officer ranks of Asia

## Notes

[edit]

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

[edit]

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. ^ a b c d e f 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. ^ a b "Army Insignia". army.mil.kr. Republic of Korea Army. Retrieved 2 June 2021.
6. ^ a b c d "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. ^ a b "해군계급장/해군흉.휘장". navy.mil.kr (in Korean). Republic of Korea Navy. Retrieved 2 June 2021.

* 군인사법, 시행 2021. 4. 13., 법률 제18000호, 2021. 4. 13., 일부개정 [Military Justice Act, Enforcement April 13, 2021, Act No. 18000, April 13, 2021, partially amended]. law.go.kr (in Korean). Retrieved 19 May 2021.

* v
* t
* e

Military ranks and insignia by country

* List of comparative military ranks

Africa|

* Algeria
* Angola
* Benin
* Botswana
* Burkina Faso
* Burundi
* Cameroon
* Cape Verde
* Central African Republic
* Chad
* Comoros
* DR Congo
* Republic of the Congo
* Djibouti
* Egypt
* Equatorial Guinea
* Eritrea
* Eswatini
* Ethiopia
* Gabon
* Gambia
* Ghana
* Guinea
* Guinea-Bissau
* Ivory Coast
* Kenya
* Lesotho
* Liberia
* Libya
* Madagascar
* Malawi
* Mali
* Mauritania
* Morocco
* Mozambique
* Namibia
* Niger
* Nigeria
* Rwanda
* São Tomé and Príncipe
* Senegal
* Seychelles
* Sierra Leone
* Somalia
* South Africa
* South Sudan
* Sudan
* Tanzania
* Togo
* Tunisia
* Uganda
* Zambia
* Zimbabwe

States with
limited recognition|

* Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic
* Somaliland

Former|

* People's Republic of Angola
* Biafra
* Bophuthatswana
* Ciskei
* Kingdom of Egypt
* Ethiopian Empire
* Katanga
* People's Republic of Mozambique
* Rhodesia
* South West Africa
* Transkei
* Venda
* Zaire

Comparative|

* Army
* Officers
* Enlisted
* Navy
* Officers
* Enlisted
* Air force
* Officers
* Enlisted
* Apartheid States in Southern Africa

Americas|

* Antigua and Barbuda
* Argentina
* Bahamas
* Barbados
* Belize
* Bolivia
* Brazil
* Canada
* Chile
* Colombia
* Cuba
* Dominican Republic
* Ecuador
* El Salvador
* Guatemala
* Guyana
* Haiti
* Honduras
* Jamaica
* Mexico
* Nicaragua
* Paraguay
* Peru
* Saint Kitts and Nevis
* Suriname
* Trinidad and Tobago
* United States
* Officers:
* Army
* Navy
* Air Force
* Coast Guard
* Enlisted:
* Army
* Navy
* Air Force
* Coast Guard
* Other:
* Marine Corps
* Space Force
* Warrant officer
* Opposing forces
* Uruguay
* Venezuela

Former|

* Canada (pre-Unification)
* Confederate States of America
* Union
* Army
* Navy
* Costa Rica
* Republic of Cuba
* Empire of Brazil
* Panama
* Republic of Texas
* Army
* Navy
* United States Army enlisted
* World War I
* World War II

Comparative|

* Army
* Officers
* Enlisted
* Navy
* Officers
* Enlisted
* Air force
* Officers
* Enlisted

Asia|

* Afghanistan
* Bahrain
* Bangladesh
* Bhutan
* Brunei
* Cambodia
* PR of China
* Army
* Navy
* Air Force
* Rocket Force
* Armed Police
* India
* Army
* Air Force
* Navy
* Coast Guard
* Border Roads Organisation
* Paramilitary forces
* Indonesia
* Iran
* Iraq
* Israel
* Japan
* Jordan
* Kazakhstan
* Korea
* North
* South
* Kuwait
* Kyrgyzstan
* Laos
* Lebanon
* Malaysia
* Maldives
* Mongolia
* Myanmar
* Nepal
* Oman
* Pakistan
* Army
* Navy
* Air Force
* Marines
* Civil Armed Forces
* Maritime Security Agency
* Philippines
* Qatar
* Saudi Arabia
* Singapore
* Sri Lanka
* Army
* Navy
* Air Force
* Coast Guard
* Syria
* Tajikistan
* Thailand
* Timor-Leste
* Turkmenistan
* United Arab Emirates
* Uzbekistan
* Vietnam
* Yemen

States with
limited recognition|

* Abkhazia
* Palestine
* South Ossetia
* Taiwan (Republic of China)

Former|

* Artsakh
* China
* Empire
* Republic (1912–1949)
* Dutch East Indies
* East Turkestan (Second Republic)
* People's Republic of Kampuchea
* Imperial Iran
* Imperial Japan
* Army
* Navy
* Korea
* Empire
* Liberation Army
* Kingdom of Laos
* Manchukuo
* Mengjiang
* Mongolian People's Republic
* Vietnam
* State
* South
* South Yemen
* Tibet
* Tuva

Comparative|

* Army
* Officers
* Enlisted
* Navy
* Officers
* Enlisted
* Air force
* Officers
* Enlisted

Europe|

* Albania
* Armenia
* Austria
* Azerbaijan
* Belarus
* Belgium
* Bosnia and Herzegovina
* Bulgaria
* Croatia
* Cyprus
* Czech Republic
* Denmark
* Army
* Navy
* Air Force
* Home Guard
* Estonia
* Finland
* France
* Army
* Navy
* Gendarmerie
* Air and Space Force
* Foresters
* Germany
* Georgia
* Greece
* Hungary
* Iceland
* Land Forces
* Coast Guard
* Ireland
* Italy
* Army
* Navy
* Air Force
* Carabinieri
* Finance Guard
* Latvia
* Lithuania
* Luxembourg
* North Macedonia
* Malta
* Moldova
* Monaco
* Montenegro
* Netherlands
* Norway
* Poland
* Portugal
* Romania
* Russia
* Army
* Navy
* Air Force
* Cossacks
* Between 1994 and 2010
* San Marino
* Serbia
* Slovakia
* Slovenia
* Spain
* Sweden
* Switzerland
* Turkey
* Ukraine
* United Kingdom
* Officers:
* Army
* Navy
* Air Force
* Other:
* Army
* Navy
* Air Force
* Vatican

States with
limited recognition|

* Kosovo
* Northern Cyprus
* Transnistria

Former|

* Albania
* Kingdom
* People's Socialist Republic
* Austria–Hungary
* Army
* Navy
* Bulgaria
* Kingdom
* People's Republic
* Independent State of Croatia
* Czechoslovakia
* German Empire
* Weimar Republic
* Nazi Germany
* Army
* Navy
* Air Force
* East Germany
* Kingdom of Greece
* Army
* Navy
* Air Force
* France
* Napoleonic Grand Army
* Hungary
* Kingdom
* People's Republic
* Italy
* Kingdom
* Social Republic
* Ottoman Empire
* Polish People's Republic
* Republika Srpska
* Romania
* Kingdom
* Socialist Republic
* Russian Empire
* White Movement
* Slovakia (First Republic)
* Soviet Union
* 1918–35
* 1935–40
* 1940–43
* 1943–55
* 1955–91
* Spain
* 2nd Republic
* State
* Yugoslavia
* Kingdom
* Socialist Federal Republic
* Federal Republic

Comparative|

* Army
* Officers
* Enlisted
* Navy
* Officers
* Enlisted
* Air force
* Officers
* Enlisted

Oceania|

* Australia
* Fiji
* New Zealand
* Papua New Guinea
* Tonga
* Vanuatu

Comparative|

* Army
* Officers
* Enlisted
* Navy
* Officers
* Enlisted
* Air force
* Officers
* Enlisted

Language|

| Anglophone|

* Army
* Officers
* Enlisted
* Navy
* Officers
* Enlisted
* Air force
* Officers
* Enlisted

|

Arabophone|

* Army
* Officers
* Enlisted
* Navy
* Officers
* Enlisted
* Air force
* Officers
* Enlisted

Francophone|

* Army
* Officers
* Enlisted
* Navy
* Officers
* Enlisted
* Air force
* Officers
* Enlisted
* Gendarmerie
* Officers
* Enlisted

Hispanophone|

* Army
* Officers
* Enlisted
* Navy
* Officers
* Enlisted
* Air force
* Officers
* Enlisted

Lusophone|

* Army
* Officers
* Enlisted
* Navy
* Officers
* Enlisted
* Air force
* Officers
* Enlisted
* Military police
* Officers
* Enlisted

Post-Soviet states|

* Army
* Officers
* Enlisted
* Navy
* Officers
* Enlisted
* Air force
* Officers
* Enlisted

Commonwealth of Nations|

* Army
* Officers
* Enlisted
* Navy
* Officers
* Enlisted
* Air force
* Officers
* Enlisted

European Union|

* Army
* Officers
* Enlisted
* Navy
* Officers
* Enlisted
* Air force
* Officers
* Enlisted

NATO|

* Army
* Officers
* Enlisted
* Navy
* Officers
* Enlisted
* Air Force
* Officers
* Enlisted

Comparative ranks of

* Star ranking
* WWI
* Officers
* WWII
* Officers
* Women's services
* Marine forces
* Space forces
* Gendarmeries
* UK and US

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