Dae Wonsu
Encyclopedia
Dae wonsu is the highest possible military rank
of North Korea
and is intended to be held solely by the nation’s commander-in-chief. The rank is senior to that of wonsu
. Dae wonsu is theoretically equivalent to a seven-star general, possibly comparable to a generalissimo
, grand marshal
or the American rank of general of the armies
(though that is normally considered a six-star rank). However in reality the holders of this rank command smaller forces than some commanders from larger countries who have made no claim to such an uncommonly exalted rank. Many South Koreans deride the rank as having been created so as to "out rank" the military leaders of any other nation, rather than for any necessary purpose of military administration.
The rank of grand marshal was created by a joint decision of the KWP Central Committee and the Central Military Commission, the National Defense Commission and the Central People's Committee in April 1992 to honor Kim Il Sung on his 80th birthday. To date (2001), Kim Il Sung remains the only grand marshal in the history of North Korea. Won-su, Kim Jong-il
's official marshal title is "marshal of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea," and the official title for other army marshals is "marshal of the Korean People's Army."
The insignia for dae wonsu is similar to wonsu
with an added crest worn beneath the shoulder board's large star (and an added crest added to the parade uniform's marshal star worn below the collar). The rank insignia is based on the now obsolete rank generalissimo of the Soviet Union
.
Comparative military ranks of Korea
Comparative military ranks of Korea refer to the ranks and insignia maintained by the three primary military powers present on the Korean Peninsula, those being the Republic of Korea Armed Forces , the Korean People's Army of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea , and the military forces of...
of North Korea
North Korea
The Democratic People’s Republic of Korea , , is a country in East Asia, occupying the northern half of the Korean Peninsula. Its capital and largest city is Pyongyang. The Korean Demilitarized Zone serves as the buffer zone between North Korea and South Korea...
and is intended to be held solely by the nation’s commander-in-chief. The rank is senior to that of wonsu
Wonsu
Wonsu is a very high military rank of the armed forces of the Republic of Korea and of North Korea.-South Korea:Wonsu, known in English as "General of the Army of the Republic of Korea", is the highest military rank of the Republic of Korea armed forces and is the combined equivalent of a Field...
. Dae wonsu is theoretically equivalent to a seven-star general, possibly comparable to a generalissimo
Generalissimo
Generalissimo and Generalissimus are military ranks of the highest degree, superior to Field Marshal and other five-star ranks.-Usage:...
, grand marshal
Grand Marshal
Grand Marshal is a ceremonial, military, or political office of very high rank. The term has its origins with the word "Marshal" with the first usage of the term "Grand Marshal" as a ceremonial title for certain religious orders...
or the American rank of general of the armies
General of the Armies
General of the Armies of the United States, or more commonly referred to as General of the Armies, is the highest possible officer rank of the United States Army.Only two soldiers have been granted the rank of General of the Armies; John J...
(though that is normally considered a six-star rank). However in reality the holders of this rank command smaller forces than some commanders from larger countries who have made no claim to such an uncommonly exalted rank. Many South Koreans deride the rank as having been created so as to "out rank" the military leaders of any other nation, rather than for any necessary purpose of military administration.
The rank of grand marshal was created by a joint decision of the KWP Central Committee and the Central Military Commission, the National Defense Commission and the Central People's Committee in April 1992 to honor Kim Il Sung on his 80th birthday. To date (2001), Kim Il Sung remains the only grand marshal in the history of North Korea. Won-su, Kim Jong-il
Kim Jong-il
Kim Jong-il, also written as Kim Jong Il, birth name Yuri Irsenovich Kim born 16 February 1941 or 16 February 1942 , is the Supreme Leader of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea...
's official marshal title is "marshal of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea," and the official title for other army marshals is "marshal of the Korean People's Army."
The insignia for dae wonsu is similar to wonsu
Wonsu
Wonsu is a very high military rank of the armed forces of the Republic of Korea and of North Korea.-South Korea:Wonsu, known in English as "General of the Army of the Republic of Korea", is the highest military rank of the Republic of Korea armed forces and is the combined equivalent of a Field...
with an added crest worn beneath the shoulder board's large star (and an added crest added to the parade uniform's marshal star worn below the collar). The rank insignia is based on the now obsolete rank generalissimo of the Soviet Union
Generalissimo of the Soviet Union
Generalissimus of the Soviet Union was a military rank created on June 27, 1945 and granted to Joseph Stalin following World War II. It was the highest military rank in the Soviet Union, and Stalin was the only person ever to hold it...
.
