Korean People's Army

The Korean People's Army (KPA) is the combined military forces of North Korea. It is also the armed wing of the Workers' Party of Korea (WPK). The KPA has five main parts: the Ground Force, the Naval Force, the Air Force, the Strategic Force, and the Special Operations Forces. It is led by the WPK Central Military Commission, which is chaired by the WPK general secretary and the president of the State Affairs. Both of these important jobs are currently held by Kim Jong Un.

The KPA sees the Republic of Korea Armed Forces and United States Forces Korea as its main enemies. This has been true since the Armistice Agreement in July 1953. As of 2021, the KPA is the second largest military organisation in the world. About 29.9% of the people in North Korea are either actively serving, in a reserve unit, or part of a paramilitary group.

History

The Korean People's Army began forming in 1939 when a group called the Korean Volunteer Army was created in China. This group grew and fought with Chinese forces against Japan. After World War II, Soviet forces helped organize armed groups in northern Korea.

The Korean People's Army was officially created in 1948. Schools were set up to train leaders for the new army. Before the Korean War began in 1950, the army received modern weapons from the Soviet Union. During the war, the army fought but faced heavy losses. After the war ended in 1953, the army continued to grow and change its strategies.

In 2024, during the war in Ukraine, some forces from the Korean People's Army were sent to help Russia. They fought in Russian uniforms under Russian command, though this was kept secret at first.

Korean Volunteer Army Yan'an Kim Tu-bong Mu Chong Imperial Japanese Army Northeast Anti-Japanese United Army Chinese Communist Party Jilin Koreans in China Yanbian World War II 25th Army Red Army constabulary State Security Department government of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea Korean War Joseph Stalin captured Seoul Battle of Incheon Yalu River People's Volunteer Army Military Armistice Commission Neutral Nations Supervisory Commission Czechoslovakia Poland Sweden Switzerland people's war Russo-Ukrainian war clandestinely sent Russia Ukraine Kursk offensive Korean People's Army Special Operations Forces Ukrainian forces Kursk Oblast

Date of establishment history

North Korea has used two different dates to mark the founding of its army. Until 1977, the official date was February 8, 1948. Later, North Korea began to say the army was founded on April 25, 1932, when Kim Il Sung started a group to fight against Japanese rule. In 1978, April 25 became the celebrated "Anniversary of the Founding of the People's Army." However, by 2019, the date was changed back to February 8, 1948. Both dates are still remembered as important army days.

Organization

Commission and leadership

The Korean People's Army (KPA) is the military force of North Korea, guided by the Workers' Party of Korea. The party’s central military group controls the KPA, led by its general secretary, who also serves as the country’s top leader.

Almost all KPA officers start as ordinary soldiers, ensuring leaders understand everyday military life. Over time, changes in leadership happened after key leaders passed away. The structure evolved to strengthen the current leader’s control, with many officers promoted to important roles during celebrations. Under current leadership, the KPA’s role in government has lessened, with more focus on party control.

Ground force formations

I Corps (Hoeyang County, Kangwon Province)
II Corps (Pyongsan County, North Hwanghae Province)
III Corps (Nampo, South Pyongan Province)
IV Corps (Haeju, South Hwanghae Province)
V Corps (Sepo County, Kangwon Province)
VII Corps (Hamhung, South Hamgyong Province)
Pyongyang Defense Command
XII Corps
IX Corps (Chongjin, North Hamgyong Province)
X Corps (Hyesan, Ryanggang Province)
XI Corps (Tokchon, South Pyongan Province)
Mechanised infantry divisions:
- 108th Division
- 425th Division
- 806th Division
- 815th Division
820th Tank Corps

Conscription and terms of service

Korean People's Army M-2012 APC (a domestic copy of BTR-80) on parade

North Korea requires males to serve in the military for 10 years, while females serve until age 23. Soldiers serve three years in the KPA, which also operates factories and farms.

Paramilitary organisations

The Red Youth Guards prepare students for future military service with regular training. The Korean People’s Social Security Forces handle local security and civil defense. The Worker-Peasant Red Guards is a large civilian defense group organized at many levels across the country.

Vice Marshal Jo Myong-rok meets Bill Clinton at the White House, October 2000

Budget and commercial interests

The KPA’s budget is around US$6 billion yearly. North Korea sells missiles and military equipment worldwide. The country has supported many groups in other nations and sent advisors and trainers to various countries. North Korean forces have participated in conflicts abroad, including wars in Vietnam.

Service branches

Ground Force

The Korean People's Army Ground Force is the main part of the army that handles operations on land. It is the main army of North Korea.

Koksan, one of North Korea's principal heavy artillery pieces. This example was photographed in Iraq.

Naval Force

Main article: Korean People's Navy

The Korean People's Army Naval Force has two groups, called fleets: the West Fleet and the East Fleet. The East Fleet is bigger but because their ships are old and not well kept, the two fleets cannot work together or join for missions. The East Fleet is based in T'oejo-dong and the West Fleet is based in Nampho. Some training and ship building units, as well as a naval air group, report directly to Naval Command Headquarters in Pyongyang.

Air and Anti-Air Force

North Korean soldiers standing at the Joint Security Area between the blue buildings

The Korean People's Army Air Force looks after North Korea's air and space defense. It uses anti-aircraft guns, surface-to-air missiles, and satellites. Until April 2022, it was called the KPA Air and Anti-Air Force. Even though much of the equipment is old, the many layers of defense make it hard for enemy planes to attack.

Strategic Force

A former Indonesian Lim-5 on display in the United States in North Korean markings

The Strategic Force is a big part of the army that controls North Korea's nuclear and other long-range missiles. It mainly uses surface-to-surface missiles from designs made in the Soviet Union and China, as well as missiles made locally.

Special Operation Force

The Korean People's Army Special Operation Force is a special group with 200,000 troops. Since the Korean War, it has been involved in secret missions and sabotage in South Korea.

Capabilities

A semi-submersible infiltration craft used by North Korean special forces in the 1980s[citation needed]

After the Korean War, North Korea kept a smaller but strong military compared to South Korea. By 1967, North Korea had around 345,000 soldiers, while South Korea had about 585,000. Because North Korea faced economic challenges and isolation, South Korea became stronger with better equipment. To balance this, North Korea focused on special tactics and unusual weapons, like stealth paint to hide targets, small submarines, and lasers that can disable eyesight.

North Korea also built up its skills in cyber attacks and electronic warfare. In 2014, a special group of hackers was accused of attacking a movie company. They also created devices to disrupt GPS signals and are working on advanced jamming technology. Despite having less fuel and ammo for training, North Korea stores enough supplies to support a long war. They have many tanks, artillery, and aircraft, mixing older weapons with newer ones. Recent photos show North Korea testing new tanks and preparing for possible conflicts. The large number of artillery pieces near the border between the two countries remains a major concern.

Military equipment

Weapons

The Korean People's Army uses many weapons from China and the Soviet Union, along with locally made versions. Soldiers mainly carry rifles made in North Korea, such as the Type 88, with older models like the Type 58 and Type 68A used in other roles. In 2017, a new rifle combining a grenade launcher and an assault rifle was shown in a parade. North Korea tested a new advanced weapon in November 2018, which their leader described as very important for the army.

There is a museum in Pyongyang showing many of the weapons used by the army.

Chemical weapons

Main article: North Korea and weapons of mass destruction

The United States believes North Korea may have a program for certain powerful weapons and could possess a stockpile of them.

Nuclear capabilities

Main article: Intercontinental ballistic missile

North Korea has tested many different missiles, including short, medium, intermediate, and intercontinental-range missiles, as well as submarine-launched ballistic missiles. Estimates vary, but some experts think the country may have between twenty and thirty special weapons, while U.S. intelligence estimates the number to be between thirty and sixty. In July 2017, North Korea tested an intercontinental ballistic missile that could potentially reach parts of the United States.

Nuclear tests

Main article: North Korean nuclear program

In October 2006, North Korea announced it had tried to test a special kind of weapon for the first time. Experts detected an earthquake that confirmed this. North Korea later claimed to have made such weapons in 2009 and is thought to have a stockpile of them. In September 2017, North Korea announced it had tested a very powerful weapon underground.

Other

Tonghae Satellite Launching Ground
Ryanggang explosion
Yongbyon Nuclear Scientific Research Center
[Songun]
Asymmetric warfare
The launching of Kwangmyŏngsŏng-3 and Kwangmyŏngsŏng-3 Unit 2 in 2012.

Uniforms

KPA officers and soldiers often wear olive green or tan uniforms. The basic uniform includes a tunic and pants, with white tunics for officers on special occasions; female soldiers wear knee-length skirts but may also wear pants. Caps or peaked caps are worn in warmer months, and a special winter hat in colder weather. Some soldiers have been seen in various camouflage patterns. Steel helmets are common in combat, and Kevlar helmets are used by some special forces. Soldiers wear military boots, while women wear low-heel shoes or boots for formal events. In 2020, new camouflage patterns and combat gear were shown in a parade for the first time.