Order of Freedom and Independence

North Korean Military Medal

This article is about the North Korean order. For the Chinese order, see Order of Independence and Freedom.

Order of Freedom and Independence
자유독립훈장 (自由獨立勳章)

Collar and Star of the Order of Freedom and Independence

Type| Order
Awarded for| Military achievements
Country| North Korea
Presented by| The Democratic People's Republic of Korea
Campaign(s)| Korean War
Motto| "조국을 위하여"
(For the Fatherland)[1]
Status| Active
Established| 7 July 1950 (1950-07-07)
Total| 227 (First Class)
7746 (Second Class)

First and second class ribbons

Precedence
Next (higher)| Order of the National Flag[2]
Related| Order of the National Flag
Order of Freedom and Independence

Chosŏn'gŭl|

자유독립훈장[2]

Hancha|

自由獨立勳章

Revised Romanization| Jayu Dongnip Hunjang
McCune–Reischauer| Chayu Tongnip Hunjang

The Order of Freedom and Independence (Korean: 자유독립훈장) is one of the highest North Korean orders. It is divided into two classes:[2] the first class is awarded to commanders and partisan units of brigades, divisions, and higher military groups for bravery, courage, and auspicious command of military operations. The second class is awarded to the commanders of partisan regiments, battalions, companies, and detachments, as well as to civil professionals employed in the industry for the military.[3] The order is awarded with the Order of the National Flag of the same rank.[2]

The order was instituted on 7 July 1950, during the Korean War.[4]

Two variants have been made: one Soviet-made with a twisting mechanism for attachment and a North Korean-made with a pin.[5]

## Recipients

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This list is incomplete; you can help by adding missing items. (October 2015)

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During the Korean War, the order, first class, was received by 95 Koreans and 126 Chinese people and second class by 3,043 Koreans and 4,703 Chinese recipients.[2]

* Song and Dance Ensemble of the Korean People's Army, first class[6]
* Kim Hyong Gwon, first class[7]
* Ri Jong-ok, first class[8]
* Pak Song-chol, first class[9]
* Jo Myong-rok, first class[10]
* Kim Jong-il, first class (twice)[11]

## See also

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* Orders, decorations, and medals of North Korea

## References

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1. ^ "Medal-Medaille , Orders, decorations and medals of the world for sale online". medal-medaille.com. Retrieved 11 October 2015.
2. ^ a b c d e Weiser, Martin (8 January 2016). "Chests Full of Brass: A DPRK Political History in Orders, Medals, Prizes, and Titles". Sino-NK. Retrieved 16 April 2016.
3. ^ Mała Encyklopedia Wojskowa (in Polish). Vol. II. Warsaw: Wyd-wo Ministerstwa Obrony Narodowej. 1970. OCLC 644013103.
4. ^ Sainty, Guy Stair (17 August 2006). World orders of knighthood and merit. Vol. 2\. Burke's Peerage & Gentry. p. 1281\. ISBN 978-0-9711966-7-4.
5. ^ НАГРАДЫ КНДР. ОРДЕН СВОБОДЫ И НЕЗАВИСИМОСТИ.. wawards.narod.ru (in Russian). Retrieved 11 October 2015.
6. ^ "50th anniversary of KPA song and dance ensemble marked". KCNA. 14 March 1997. Archived from the original on 12 October 2014. Retrieved 11 October 2015.
7. ^ "Kim Jong Il inspects Kim Hyong Gwon Military Academy of Communications Men". KCNA. 17 November 1998. Archived from the original on 12 October 2014. Retrieved 11 October 2015.
8. ^ "Ri Jong Ok passes away". KCNA. 23 September 1999. Archived from the original on 12 October 2014. Retrieved 11 October 2015.
9. ^ "Pak Song Chol Dies". KCNA. 30 October 2008. Archived from the original on 12 October 2014. Retrieved 11 October 2015.
10. ^ "Jo Myong Rok Dies". KCNA. 6 November 2010. Archived from the original on 12 October 2014. Retrieved 11 October 2015.
11. ^ Kwon Hyok-chol (2014). "Reverence for the Great Leader". Korea Pictorial. 2 (698): 12. ISSN 1727-9208.

## External links

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* {{usurped|1=ОРДЕН СВОБОДЫ И НЕЗАВИСИМОСТИ [Order of Freedom and Independence]}} in pictures (in Russian)

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