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Korean People's Army

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Article Genealogy
Parent: North Korea Hop 3
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Korean People's Army
Unit nameKorean People's Army
Native name조선인민군
CaptionFlag of the Korean People's Army
Founded8 February 1948
Current form1992
HeadquartersPyongyang
Commander-in-chiefKim Jong-un
MinisterKang Sun-nam
Chief of staffRi Yong-gil
Age17
Active1,280,000 (est.)
Reserve600,000 (est.)
BranchesKorean People's Army Ground Force, Korean People's Army Navy, Korean People's Army Air and Anti-Air Force, Korean People's Army Strategic Force, Korean People's Army Special Operation Force

Korean People's Army. The Korean People's Army is the unified military force of North Korea, founded on February 8, 1948. It is one of the world's largest standing militaries, directly subordinate to the Workers' Party of Korea and the supreme leader. The force is a central pillar of the national ideology of Juche and the Songun policy of military-first politics.

History

The military's origins trace to anti-Japanese guerrilla units formed in the 1930s, notably the Korean People's Revolutionary Army led by Kim Il-sung. Following World War II and the division of Korea, it was formally established as the national army of the newly founded Democratic People's Republic of Korea. It played the primary role in initiating the Korean War in 1950, with early offensives including the Battle of Seoul and the Battle of Pusan Perimeter. Post-armistice, under the guidance of Kim Jong-il, it expanded significantly and developed a focus on asymmetric warfare and deterrence, heavily fortifying the Korean Demilitarized Zone. Key modern developments include the establishment of the Korean People's Army Strategic Force and numerous tests of ballistic missiles like the Hwasong-15.

Organization and structure

The military is organized into five main branches: the Korean People's Army Ground Force, the Korean People's Army Navy, the Korean People's Army Air and Anti-Air Force, the Korean People's Army Strategic Force, and the Korean People's Army Special Operation Force. Ultimate command resides with the State Affairs Commission and the Central Military Commission of the Workers' Party of Korea. The General Staff Department and the Ministry of People's Armed Forces handle operational and administrative control. The force is divided into multiple corps, with key commands including the V Corps and the VIII Corps, and maintains a vast network of underground facilities and artillery positions near the 38th parallel.

Personnel and training

Service is compulsory for all citizens, with conscription terms among the world's longest. The Korean People's Army draws its officer corps from institutions like the Kim Il-sung Military University and the Mangyongdae Revolutionary School. Training emphasizes political indoctrination in Juche thought and loyalty to the Kim dynasty, alongside conventional and unconventional warfare drills. A significant portion of the state budget is allocated to maintaining the force, with personnel often engaged in civil construction projects. Elite units, such as those under the Korean People's Army Special Operation Force, undergo rigorous training for missions behind enemy lines.

Equipment and capabilities

The force operates a mix of obsolete and modernized equipment, relying on quantity and strategic placement for deterrence. The ground forces possess a vast arsenal of artillery, including multiple rocket launchers like the M-1985 positioned to threaten Seoul. The navy focuses on coastal defense with numerous submarines, missile boats, and hovercraft. The air force operates aging fleets of MiG-29 and MiG-21 fighters. The Korean People's Army Strategic Force controls a growing inventory of ballistic missiles, from the Scud to intercontinental ballistic missiles like the Hwasong-17, and is believed to maintain a stockpile of chemical and biological weapons.

Role in North Korean society and politics

The military is the core institution of the Songun policy, granting it priority in resource allocation and national affairs. It plays a crucial role in domestic security and upholding the regime, working alongside agencies like the Ministry of State Security. Military service is a key rite of passage, and veterans receive significant social privileges. The armed forces are celebrated in state propaganda, art, and media, with major holidays like Day of the Shining Star featuring large military parades in Kim Il-sung Square. Senior commanders, such as Pak Jong-chon, hold high-ranking positions within the Workers' Party of Korea.

International relations and deployments

While largely insular, the military maintains close historical ties with China and to a lesser extent Russia, occasionally participating in joint exercises. It has a long record of proliferation activities, including missile technology transfers to states like Iran and Syria. Its only significant overseas deployment was during the Vietnam War. The primary focus remains the confrontation with South Korea and the United States Forces Korea, with frequent incidents along the Northern Limit Line and the Joint Security Area. Its nuclear and missile programs have led to severe international sanctions from the United Nations Security Council.

Category:North Korea Category:Military of North Korea Category:Korean People's Army