Korean People's Army
The Korean People’s Army (KPA) is the military organization of North Korea, officially known as the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK). It was established on April 25, 1932, as an anti-Japanese guerrilla force, and later evolved into a regular army.
The KPA is one of the largest standing armies in the world, with an estimated 1.2 million active-duty personnel, as well as an additional 7.7 million reserve and paramilitary forces. It is divided into five branches: Ground Force, Navy, Air Force, Strategic Rocket Forces, and Special Operation Force.
The KPA is one of the most important institutions in North Korean society, and its loyalty to the ruling Kim family is considered paramount. The military is responsible for defending North Korea against external threats, and is also involved in internal security and maintaining the regime’s grip on power.
Despite its size and military might, the KPA is known to suffer from outdated equipment, poor training, and limited resources. However, its large number of troops, combined with North Korea’s nuclear weapons and missile programs, make it a formidable force in the region.
What Are North Korea’s Military Capabilities?
North Korea has one of the largest standing armies in the world, with over 1.2 million active-duty personnel, as well as millions of reserve and paramilitary forces. The country’s military capabilities are centered around its nuclear and ballistic missile programs, which have been a major source of concern for the international community.
North Korea has conducted six nuclear tests, the most recent being in 2017, and has claimed to have developed a variety of nuclear weapons, including miniaturized warheads that can be mounted on ballistic missiles. The country has also developed a range of ballistic missiles, including the Hwasong-15, which has a reported range of up to 13,000 kilometers and is believed to be capable of reaching the United States mainland.
In addition to its nuclear and missile programs, North Korea has a large conventional military, which includes tanks, artillery, and infantry. The country’s navy consists primarily of small coastal defense craft, but it has developed a submarine-launched ballistic missile capability. The North Korean air force is believed to have a large number of outdated fighter jets and other aircraft.
Despite its large military, North Korea’s capabilities are limited by its outdated equipment, poor training, and limited resources. The country also faces economic sanctions and international isolation, which further constrain its military capabilities. However, the country’s nuclear and missile programs, coupled with its willingness to use force, make it a significant regional threat.
North Korea Military Budget
The exact military budget of North Korea is not publicly known, as the country does not release detailed information on its military spending. However, it is estimated that North Korea spends a significant portion of its GDP on its military, likely around 20-25% of its total budget.
North Korea’s economy is heavily centralized and controlled by the state, with the military playing a significant role in the country’s economic and political systems. The military is involved in a range of industries, including mining, construction, and manufacturing, and is believed to be largely self-sufficient in terms of producing its own weapons and equipment.
Despite its large military budget, North Korea faces significant economic challenges, including international sanctions and a lack of access to modern technology and resources. This has led to a reliance on outdated equipment and technology, and has limited the country’s ability to modernize its military. However, North Korea’s focus on developing nuclear and missile capabilities, along with its willingness to engage in provocative actions, continue to pose a significant threat to regional security.
North Korea Army Equipment
North Korea’s military equipment is largely comprised of outdated and domestically produced weapons and equipment, due to the country’s isolation and limited access to modern technology and resources. However, the country has also invested heavily in developing its nuclear and ballistic missile capabilities, which are considered its most significant military assets.
In terms of conventional weapons, the North Korean Army is estimated to have approximately 4,200 tanks, including older Soviet-era T-55 and T-62 tanks, as well as more modern domestically produced tanks such as the Chonma-ho. The Army also has a large number of artillery pieces, including self-propelled guns and multiple rocket launchers.
North Korea’s air force is believed to have a large number of outdated fighter jets and other aircraft, including MiG-29 and MiG-23 fighters, as well as older Soviet-era transport planes and helicopters. The country has also developed some indigenous aircraft, such as the H-5 bomber and the Y-5 transport plane.
North Korea’s navy is primarily focused on coastal defense, and is largely comprised of small patrol boats and submarines. The country has also developed a submarine-launched ballistic missile capability, which is considered a significant threat to regional security.
Overall, while North Korea’s military equipment is outdated and limited in many respects, the country’s nuclear and missile programs, coupled with its willingness to use force, continue to pose a significant threat to regional security.
North Korea Army Size
North Korea has one of the largest standing armies in the world, with an estimated 1.2 million active-duty personnel as well as millions of reserve and paramilitary forces. This large force is organized into several branches, including the Korean People’s Army (KPA) Ground Force, Navy, Air Force, Strategic Rocket Forces, and Special Operation Force.
The KPA Ground Force is the largest branch of the North Korean military, with an estimated 950,000 active-duty personnel, including 150,000 special forces troops. The Navy is believed to have around 60,000 personnel, while the Air Force is estimated to have around 110,000 personnel.
In addition to its regular military forces, North Korea has a large number of reserve and paramilitary forces, which are organized into the Worker-Peasant Red Guards and the Korean People’s Internal Security Forces. The reserve and paramilitary forces are believed to number in the millions, and are primarily responsible for internal security and maintaining the regime’s grip on power.
Overall, North Korea’s large and well-trained military, combined with its nuclear and missile capabilities, make it a significant regional threat. However, the country’s military is also hampered by outdated equipment and limited resources, and its economy and society face significant challenges.
North Korea Air Force
North Korea’s Air Force, officially known as the Korean People’s Army Air and Anti-Air Force, is believed to have around 110,000 personnel and is comprised primarily of outdated Soviet and Chinese-made aircraft.
The Air Force is organized into several wings, with the majority of its aircraft stationed near the border with South Korea. The Air Force’s primary mission is to provide air defense and support for ground forces.
North Korea’s fighter aircraft are primarily composed of aging Soviet-era MiG-21, MiG-23, and MiG-29 fighters, which are considered to be outdated and of limited combat capability. The Air Force also has a number of Chinese-made Shenyang J-5 and J-6 fighters, as well as indigenous fighter designs such as the Chosun Yun and the MiG-19 derivative.
In addition to its fighter aircraft, North Korea’s Air Force also has a large number of transport planes, including Soviet-era An-2 and An-24 aircraft, as well as Chinese-made Y-5 and Y-7 aircraft. The Air Force also has a small number of attack helicopters, primarily the Mi-2 and the Mi-8.
Overall, North Korea’s Air Force is limited by its outdated equipment and a lack of access to modern technology and resources. However, the Air Force remains a significant regional threat due to the country’s willingness to use force and its possession of nuclear and ballistic missile capabilities.
North Korea Army Rank
The rank structure of the North Korean Army, officially known as the Korean People’s Army (KPA), is similar to that of other countries with a Soviet-style military organization. The ranks are divided into commissioned officers, warrant officers, non-commissioned officers (NCOs), and enlisted personnel.
The commissioned officers in the North Korean Army are ranked as follows, in descending order:
- Marshal of the Republic (highest rank, reserved for the country’s top military leaders)
- General
- Lieutenant General
- Major General
- Colonel General
- Lieutenant Colonel General
- Colonel
- Lieutenant Colonel
- Major
- Captain
- Senior Lieutenant
- Lieutenant
- Junior Lieutenant
The warrant officers are ranked as follows, in descending order:
- Senior Warrant Officer
- Warrant Officer First Class
- Warrant Officer Second Class
The non-commissioned officers in the North Korean Army are ranked as follows, in descending order:
- Sergeant Major
- Senior Sergeant
- Sergeant First Class
- Sergeant
- Corporal
The enlisted personnel in the North Korean Army are ranked as follows, in descending order:
- Senior Private First Class
- Private First Class
- Private
It’s worth noting that North Korea’s military hierarchy is highly centralized and the country’s top military leaders hold significant political power. The Supreme Commander of the Korean People’s Army is the country’s top military position, and is traditionally held by the country’s top political leader, currently Kim Jong-un.
History of the North Korean Army
The North Korean Army, officially known as the Korean People’s Army (KPA), was established in 1948 shortly after the founding of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK). The KPA was initially formed from the guerrilla forces that fought against Japanese occupation during World War II and the Korean War that followed.
During the Korean War, which began in 1950, the KPA fought against South Korean and United Nations forces, including American troops. The KPA was initially successful and managed to capture most of the Korean peninsula, with the exception of the Pusan Perimeter in the southeast, which was held by UN forces. However, after the UN counteroffensive and the Chinese intervention in late 1950, the KPA was pushed back north of the 38th parallel, resulting in a stalemate that lasted until the armistice agreement in 1953.
After the Korean War, the KPA continued to grow in size and strength. The military became heavily focused on national defense and maintaining a state of military readiness, which included conscription for all able-bodied men and women. The KPA received significant support from the Soviet Union and China, which provided the country with military equipment and training.
In the 1960s and 1970s, the KPA played a significant role in North Korea’s efforts to spread its ideology and influence abroad, particularly in Africa and the Middle East. The military also underwent a significant modernization effort during this time, with an increased focus on building up the country’s missile and nuclear capabilities.
Since the 1990s, the KPA has faced significant economic challenges due to international sanctions and the country’s struggling economy. Despite this, the military remains a key priority for the North Korean government and continues to be a significant regional threat, particularly in regards to its nuclear and ballistic missile capabilities.