Order of Kim Il-sung

The Order of Kim Il-sung (Korean: 김일성훈장; MR: Kimilsŏng hunchang) is the highest order of North Korea, along with the Order of Kim Jong-il, and only second to one honorary title, the Hero of Labour.

Not to be confused with Kim Il-sung and Kim Jong-il badges.

Order of Kim Il-sung
2012 revision of the order
TypeOrder
Awarded forOutstanding services to the Democratic People's Republic of Korea and communism
CountryNorth Korea
Presented byThe Democratic People's Republic of Korea
StatusActive
Established20 March 1972 (1972-03-20)
First awardedKim Jong-Il
TotalMore than 600
Ribbon of the Order of Kim Il-sung
Precedence
Next (higher)Hero of Labour
EquivalentOrder of Kim Jong-il
Next (lower)Order of the National Flag
Order of Kim Il-sung
Hangul
Hanja
Revised RomanizationGimilseong hunjang
McCune–ReischauerKimilsŏng hunchang

The order, named after the country's first leader Kim Il-sung, was instituted in 1972 during a reform of the North Korean honors system. Its history is not fully known, but the order was initially round, being changed to a five-pointed star design later, and the picture of Kim Il-sung updated in 2012.

Recipients can be individuals or organizations, who have contributed to the cause of communism. It is traditionally awarded on 15 April, the Day of the Sun, the birthday of Kim Il-sung. Relatively few are awarded, totaling at least 600, to highlight the high symbolic status of the order. Recipients include Kim Jong-il, who received it four times. He was supposed to be the recipient of the first award in 1972, but according to North Korean sources, he initially refused.

History
The order before it was redesigned in 2012

The North Korean system of orders and medals saw periods of expansion and stagnation through the 1950s and 1960s, but in the early 1970s, major additions were made. Of these, the most important one was the addition of the Order of Kim Il-sung to the list of titles.[1] The order was instituted on 20 March 1972[2] on the occasion of the 60th birthday of Kim Il-sung.[3] At about the same time, North Korea also started awarding watches with Kim Il-sung's autograph on them.[1] According to North Korean sources, Kim Jong-il was to be the first recipient of the order, but he declined it and received the honor only in 1979.[3]

In 2012, all orders bearing the picture of Kim Il-sung, including the Order of Kim Il-sung, were redesigned with a newer picture of Kim. At some point before that, the order had become a five-pointed star, being formerly round. It is possible that all old versions were recalled and changed to the new one.[1]

Eligibility

The order is traditionally awarded annually on 15 April, the birthday of Kim Il-sung.[4] It is awarded for "outstanding services to the Republic of the Korean nation and communism".[5]

Out of all North Korean orders, it is awarded the most sparingly, reflecting its high symbolic status. At least 600 have been awarded.[1]

Precedence

The order is the highest of the order of North Korea, along with the Order of Kim Jong-il,[6] although out of titles the Hero of Labour is considered higher.[1] The Order of the National Flag is one rank lower.[4]

There are related prizes called the Kim Il-sung Prize, as well as prizes for youth and children.[1]

Recipients
This list is incomplete; you can help by adding missing items with reliable sources.

See also

References
  1. Weiser, Martin (8 January 2016). "Chests Full of Brass: A DPRK Political History in Orders, Medals, Prizes, and Titles". Sino-NK. Retrieved 16 April 2016.
  2. North Korea Handbook 2002, p. 960.
  3. Armstrong, Chalres (25 April 2012). "Hereditary Succession in North Korea: Lessons of the Past". 38 North. U.S.-Korea Institute (SAIS). Retrieved 14 October 2015.
  4. Yonhap News Agency (27 December 2002). North Korea Handbook. Seoul: M.E. Sharpe. p. 132. ISBN 978-0-7656-3523-5.
  5. "Order of Kim Il Sung". medal.com.cn. Archived from the original on 1 January 2013. Retrieved 6 August 2010.
  6. "Order of Kim Jong Il Instituted". kcna.co.jp. Archived from the original on 12 October 2014. Retrieved 6 June 2012.
  7. "Pyongyang Electric Locomotive Factory". The Great Soviet Encyclopedia (3rd ed.). The Gale Group, Inc. 1970–1979. Retrieved 2 April 2020.
  8. North Korea Handbook 2002, p. 835.
  9. "General Secretary Kim Jong Il's Chronology Part I (1942–1979)". korea-np.co.jp. Retrieved 6 August 2010.
  10. "General Secretary Kim Jong Il's Chronology Part II (1980–1990)". korea-np.co.jp. Retrieved 6 August 2010.
  11. "General Secretary Kim Jong Il's Chronology Part III (1990–1997)". korea-np.co.jp. Retrieved 6 August 2010.
  12. "Order of Kim Il Sung Awarded to Kim Jong Il". KCNA. 9 April 2012. Archived from the original on 12 October 2014.
  13. North Korea Handbook 2002, p. 756.
  14. North Korea Handbook 2002, p. 818.
  15. North Korea Handbook 2002, p. 833.
  16. North Korea Handbook 2002, pp. 831–832.
  17. "O Kuk Ryol" (PDF). nkleadershipwatch.files.wordpress.com. Retrieved 6 August 2010.
  18. "Choe Yong-rim" (PDF). nkleadershipwatch.files.wordpress.com. Retrieved 6 August 2010.
  19. Hoare 2012, p. 190.
  20. "Jon Pyong Ho" (PDF). nkleadershipwatch.files.wordpress.com. Retrieved 7 August 2010.
  21. North Korea Handbook 2002, p. 802.
  22. Hoare 2012, p. 199.
  23. North Korea Handbook 2002, p. 854.
  24. North Korea Handbook 2002, p. 869.
  25. Hoare 2012, p. 202.
  26. Hoare 2012, p. 302.
  27. North Korea Handbook 2002, p. 886.
  28. North Korea Handbook 2002, p. 829.
  29. Hoare 2012, p. 183.
  30. North Korea Handbook 2002, p. 815.
  31. North Korea Handbook 2002, p. 768.
  32. "KCNA anniv. marked". KCNA. 5 December 1996. Archived from the original on 4 May 1997.
  33. "Builders in Construction of Power Stations Commended". kcna.co.jp. Retrieved 27 March 2011.
  34. "Chairman Han Duk Su of CHONGRYUN Passes Away". korea-np.co.jp. Archived from the original on 2 March 2012. Retrieved 6 August 2010.
  35. 북한지역정보겟: 천리마제강연합기업소(千里馬製鋼聯合企業所) [North Korean Human Geography: Ch'ŏllima Steel Complex] (in Korean). Retrieved 21 July 2020.
  36. "Supreme Leader Kim Jong Un Sends Wreath to Bier of Jin Pong Jun". DPRK Today. KCNA. 25 February 2019. Retrieved 28 February 2019.
  37. "Kim Rak Hui, Initiator of Plowwoman Movement". KCNA. 20 February 2013. Archived from the original on 8 September 2017.
  38. Len, Samuel (28 October 2003). "Pyongyang official dies of crash injuries". The New York Times. Retrieved 13 August 2010.
  39. "Veteran Film Director Om Kil Son". Naenara. 20 May 2014. Retrieved 16 May 2016.
  40. Kim Thae-hyon (January 2015). "To Promote People's Health". Democratic People's Republic of Korea. No. 709. p. 28. ISSN 1727-9208.
  41. Jong Hwa-sun. "Textile giant pushes industry over seven decades". The Pyongyang Times. Retrieved 30 March 2020.
  42. "Ri Jong Ok passes away". Wayback Machine. KCNA. 11 October 2012. Archived from the original on 12 October 2014. Retrieved 14 October 2015.
  43. Kim Son-gyong (May 2015). "Sculptor Family". Democratic People's Republic of Korea. No. 713. pp. 26–27. ISSN 1727-9208.
  44. "Birthday Spread to Ryu Mi Yong". Naenara. KCNA. 15 February 2016. Retrieved 15 February 2016.
  45. "Yon Hyong Muk Dies". KCNA. 23 October 2005. Archived from the original on 12 October 2014.
  46. "Университет имени Ким Ир Сена". dprk.ru (in Russian). Retrieved 23 August 2010.
  47. "Pyongyang University of Music and Dance". Naenara. Archived from the original on 16 July 2014. Retrieved 16 May 2016.
  48. "Anniversary of Kigwancha Sports Team Marked in DPRK". Rodong Sinmun. 11 January 2016. Retrieved 23 February 2018.

Works cited

Further reading
  • Vantage Point. 5–6. Naewoe Press. 1982. p. 14, table 3: 134 Leaders Decorated with the Order of Kim Il–sung.
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