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 "Jangseong"-level (general) officers, "Yeonggwan"-level (field-grade) officers, and "Wigwan"-level (company-grade) officers. 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.
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
These ranks are honorary ranks and are not considered part of the main rank scheme.
| North Korean rank | North Korean insignia[1] |
|---|---|
| 대원수 Tae wonsu (Grand Marshal)[lower-alpha 1] |  |
| 공화국원수 Konghwaguk Wonsu (Marshal of the Republic)[lower-alpha 2] |  |
Officer ranks
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 United States and British rank insignia traditions.
No one has held the five-star rank Wonsu in the history of the ROK Armed Forces.
Army ranks
| Equivalent NATO code | OF-10 | OF-9 | OF-8 | OF-7 | OF-6 | OF-5 | OF-4 | OF-3 | OF-2 | OF-1 | OF(D) and student officer | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Marshal of the KPA (인민군원수) |
Vice marshal (차수) |
Army general (대장) |
Colonel general (상장) |
Lieutenant general (중장) |
Major general (소장) |
Senior Colonel (Brigadier) (대좌) |
Colonel (상좌) |
Lieutenant colonel (중좌) |
Major (소좌) |
Captain (대위) |
Senior lieutenant (상위) |
Lieutenant (중위) |
Junior lieutenant (소위) | |||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Marshal (원수) |
General (대장) |
Lieutenant general (중장) |
Major general (소장) |
Brigadier general (준장) |
Colonel (대령) |
Lieutenant colonel (중령) |
Major (소령) |
Captain (대위) |
Lieutenant (중위) |
Junior lieutenant (소위) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Equivalent NATO code | OF-10 | OF-9 | OF-8 | OF-7 | OF-6 | OF-5 | OF-4 | OF-3 | OF-2 | OF-1 | OF(D) and student officer | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
Air force ranks
| Equivalent NATO code | OF-10 | OF-9 | OF-8 | OF-7 | OF-6 | OF-5 | OF-4 | OF-3 | OF-2 | OF-1 | OF(D) and student officer | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Air force general (대장) |
Colonel general (상장) |
Lieutenant general (중장) |
Major general (소장) |
Senior colonel (대좌) |
Colonel (상좌) |
Lieutenant colonel (중좌) |
Major (소좌) |
Captain (대위) |
First lieutenant (상위) |
Second lieutenant (중위) |
Third lieutenant (소위) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Marshal (Korean: 원수) |
General (Korean: 대장) |
Lieutenant general (Korean: 중장) |
Major general (Korean: 소장) |
Brigadier general (Korean: 준장) |
Colonel (Korean: 대령) |
Lieutenant colonel (Korean: 중령) |
Major (Korean: 소령) |
Captain (Korean: 대위) |
Lieutenant (Korean: 중위) |
Junior lieutenant (Korean: 소위) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Equivalent NATO code | OF-10 | OF-9 | OF-8 | OF-7 | OF-6 | OF-5 | OF-4 | OF-3 | OF-2 | OF-1 | OF(D) and student officer | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
Naval ranks
ROK Navy commissioned officer ranks have two distinct sets of rank insignia: On dress uniform a series of stripes similar to Commonwealth 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.
| Equivalent NATO code | OF-10 | OF-9 | OF-8 | OF-7 | OF-6 | OF-5 | OF-4 | OF-3 | OF-2 | OF-1 | OF(D) and student officer | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Taejang (대장) |
Sangjang (상장) |
Chungjang (중장) |
Sojang (소장) |
Daechwa (대좌) |
Sangjwa (상좌) |
Chungjwa (중좌) |
Sojwa (소좌) |
Taewi (대위) |
Sangwi (상위) |
Chungwi (중위) |
Sowi (소위) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Wonsu (원수; 元帥) Fleet admiral |
Daejang (대장; 大將) Admiral |
Jungjang (중장; 中將) Vice admiral |
Sojang (소장; 少將) Rear admiral |
Junjang (준장; 準將) Rear admiral (lower half) |
Daeryeong (대령; 大領) Captain |
Jungnyeong (중령; 中領) Commander |
Soryeong (소령; 少領) Lieutenant commander |
Daewi (대위; 大尉) Lieutenant |
Jungwi (중위; 中尉) Lieutenant (junior grade) |
Sowi (소위; 少尉) Ensign | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Equivalent NATO code | OF-10 | OF-9 | OF-8 | OF-7 | OF-6 | OF-5 | OF-4 | OF-3 | OF-2 | OF-1 | OF(D) and student officer | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
Marine Corps
| Equivalent NATO code | OF-10 | OF-9 | OF-8 | OF-7 | OF-6 | OF-5 | OF-4 | OF-3 | OF-2 | OF-1 | OF(D) and student officer | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Daejang General (대장) |
Jungjang Lieutenant general (중장) |
Sojang Major general (소장) |
Junjang Brigadier general (준장) |
Daeryeong Colonel (대령) |
Jungnyeong Lieutenant colonel (중령) |
Soryeong Major (소령) |
Daewi Captain (대위) |
Jungwi First lieutenant (중위) |
Sowi Second lieutenant (소위) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Equivalent NATO code | OF-10 | OF-9 | OF-8 | OF-7 | OF-6 | OF-5 | OF-4 | OF-3 | OF-2 | OF-1 | OF(D) and student officer | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
Warrant officer ranks
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.
| Grade | Rank | Abbreviation | Army | Air Force | Navy | Marine Corps |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| WO | Warrant Officer (준위) |
WO |  South Korea Army warrant officer insignia |
 South Korea Air Force warrant officer insignia |
 South Korea Navy warrant officer insignia |
 South Korea Navy warrant officer insignia |
Enlisted ranks
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 "Corporal" and "Sergeant" in English, but they are not considered non-commissioned officer ranks, though they are treated as one if they hold an NCO position. Ideungbyeong (Korean: 이등병; Hanja: 2等兵), Ildeungbyeong (일등병; 1等兵), and Sangdeungbyeong (상등병; 上等兵) are commonly referred to as Ibyeong, Ilbyeong, and Sangbyeong respectively.
Army ranks
| Equivalent NATO code | OR-9 | OR-8 | OR-7 | OR-6 | OR-5 | OR-4 | OR-3 | OR-2 | OR-1 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| T'ŭkmu-sangsa 특무상사 |
Sangsa 상사 |
Chungsa 중사 |
Hasa 하사 |
Sanggŭp-pyŏngsa 상급병사 |
Chungŭp-pyŏngsa 중급병사 |
Hagŭp-pyŏngsa 하급병사 |
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| Sergeant major | Master sergeant | Sergeant first class | Staff sergeant | Sergeant | Corporal | Lance corporal | Private | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Wonsa 원사 |
Sangsa 상사 |
Jungsa 중사 |
Hasa 하사 |
Byeongjang 병장 |
Sangdeungbyeong 상등병 |
Ildeungbyeong 일등병 |
Ideungbyeong 이등병 |
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| Sergeant major | Master sergeant | Sergeant first class | Staff sergeant (Sergeant junior grade) |
Sergeant (Master private) |
Corporal (Senior private) |
Private first class | Private (Second class) | Recruit | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Equivalent NATO code | OR-9 | OR-8 | OR-7 | OR-6 | OR-5 | OR-4 | OR-3 | OR-2 | OR-1 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Air force ranks
| Equivalent NATO Code | OR-9 | OR-8 | OR-7 | OR-6 | OR-5 | OR-4 | OR-3 | OR-2 | OR-1 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| T'ŭkmu-sangsa 특무상사 |
Sangsa 상사 |
Chungsa 중사 |
Hasa 하사 |
Sanggŭp-pyŏngsa 상급병사 |
Chungŭp-pyŏngsa 중급병사 |
Hagŭp-pyŏngsa 하급병사 |
Chŏnsa 전사 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Sergeant major | Master sergeant | Sergeant first class | Staff sergeant | Sergeant | Corporal | Airman first class | Airman | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Wonsa (Korean: 원사) |
Sangsa (Korean: 상사) |
Jungsa (Korean: 중사) |
Hasa (Korean: 하사) |
Byeongjang (Korean: 병장) |
Sangdeungbyeong (Korean: 상등병) |
Ildeungbyeong (Korean: 일등병) |
Ideungbyeong (Korean: 이등병) |
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| Chief Master Sergeant | Senior Master Sergeant | Master Sergeant | Technical Sergeant | Staff Sergeant | Senior Airman | Airman First Class | Airman | Airman Basic | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Equivalent NATO Code | OR-9 | OR-8 | OR-7 | OR-6 | OR-5 | OR-4 | OR-3 | OR-2 | OR-1 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Navy ranks
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).
| Equivalent NATO code | OR-9 | OR-8 | OR-7 | OR-6 | OR-5 | OR-4 | OR-3 | OR-2 | OR-1 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| T'ŭkmu-sangsa 특무상사 |
Sangsa 상사 |
Chungsa 중사 |
Hasa 하사 |
Sanggŭp-pyŏngsa 상급병사 |
Chungŭp-pyŏngsa 중급병사 |
Hagŭp-pyŏngsa 하급병사 |
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| Master chief petty officer | Senior Chief Petty Officer | Chief Petty Officer | Petty Officer 1st Class | Petty Officer 2nd Class | Petty Officer 3rd Class | Seaman | Seaman Recruit | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Wonsa 원사 |
Sangsa 상사 |
Jungsa 중사 |
Hasa 하사 |
Byeongjang 병장 |
Sangdeungbyeong 상등병 |
Ildeungbyeong 일등병 |
Ideungbyeong 이등병 |
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| Master chief petty officer | Senior chief petty officer (Chief petty officer) |
Chief petty officer (Senior petty officer) |
Petty officer 1st class (Petty officer) |
Petty officer 2nd class (Leading seaman) |
Petty officer 3rd class (Able seaman) |
Seaman (Seaman 1st class) |
Seaman apprentice (Seaman 2nd class) |
Seaman recruit | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Equivalent NATO code | OR-9 | OR-8 | OR-7 | OR-6 | OR-5 | OR-4 | OR-3 | OR-2 | OR-1 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Marine Corps
| Equivalent NATO code | OR-9 | OR-8 | OR-7 | OR-6 | OR-5 | OR-4 | OR-3 | OR-2 | OR-1 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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(Marine Corps) |
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| Wonsa 원사 |
Sangsa 상사 |
Jungsa 중사 |
Hasa 하사 |
Byeongjang 병장 |
Sangdeungbyeong 상병 |
Ildeungbyeong 일등병 |
Ideungbyeong 이등병 |
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| Sergeant Major | Master Sergeant | Gunnery Sergeant | Staff Sergeant | Sergeant | Corporal | Lance Corporal | Private | Recruit | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Equivalent NATO code | OR-9 | OR-8 | OR-7 | OR-6 | OR-5 | OR-4 | OR-3 | OR-2 | OR-1 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
See also
- Comparative military ranks
- Comparative army officer ranks of Asia
Notes
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.
- Highest possible political-military rank of North Korea and is intended to be an honorific title for the nation’s Great Leaders.
- Highest political-military rank reserved only for Supreme Leader of North Korea.
