Korean People's Army Ground Force

This article is about the North Korean army. For the North Korean armed forces, see Korean People's Army.

조선인민군 육군 朝鮮人民軍 陸軍 Korean People's Army Ground Force
The flag of the Korean People's Army.
Founded	August 20, 1947
Country	North Korea
Type	Army
Size	950000 active
Equipment	4,200 Tanks 2,200 Infantry Fighting Vehicle 8,600 Artillery guns 4,800 Multiple Rocket Launcher systems
Engagements	Korean War Syrian Civil War
Commanders
commander-in-chief	General Ri Myong-su
Notable commanders	Choi Yong-kun, Kim Chaek

The Korean People's Army Ground Force (KPAGF; Chosŏn'gŭl: 조선인민군 육군; Hanja: 朝鮮人民軍 陸軍) is the main branch of the Korean People's Army responsible for land-based military operations. It is the de facto army of North Korea.

History

The Korean People's Army Ground Force was formed on August 20, 1947. It outnumbered and outgunned the South Korean Army on the outbreak of the Korean War in June 1950. North Korean ground forces formations which fought in the Korean War included the I Corps, the II and III Corps. The IV Corps and V Corps, VI and VII Corps were formed after the outbreak of war. Divisions included the 105th Armored Division, the 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 5th, 6th, 7th, 8th, 9th, 10th, 12th, 19th, and 43rd Infantry Divisions. During the Korean War, it also contained a number of independent units such as the 766th Infantry Regiment.

In 1960, the KPA may have totaled fewer than 400,000 personnel and probably did not rise much above that figure before 1972. The force then massively expanded over the next two decades. In 1992, there were approximately 1 million personnel. Before this expansion of the North Korean ground forces, the South Korean Army outnumbered the KPA. From the 1970's on, South Korea started exceeding North Korea in terms of economics. Thus, South Korea could modernize its forces, which in turn alerted North Korea and resulted in the expansion of the North Korean armed forces. Ironically, the weaker of the two Korea's has maintained the larger armed force. The size, organization, disposition, and combat capabilities of the Ground Force give Pyongyang military, albeit technologically inferior, possible options both for limited offensive operations to assault the lower half of the peninsula or for limited defensive operations against any perceived threat from South Korea.

Yossef Bodansky's Crisis in Korea, SP Books, 1994, gives an account of the North Korean order of battle in 1984-88 (p. 87-88).

Over time, this organization has adjusted to the unique circumstances of the military problem the KPA faces and to the evolution of North Korean military doctrine and thought.

In 1996 a significant portion of the staff, along with local government officials of the VI Corps was arrested and convicted of bribery and corruption. The VI Corps HQ, which was in Chongjin, was in charge of military activities in the whole of North Hamgyong Province. It consisted of three infantry divisions, four rocket brigades and one artillery division. Joseph F. Bermudez reports in Shield of the Great Leader that the incident was not a coup, but it is often reported as such. In any event, the corps was disbanded, and its units reallocated elsewhere, some to the IX Corps in North Hamgyong Province. The IX Corps now includes the 24th Division and the 42nd Division.

Current status

The overwhelming majority of active ground forces are deployed in three echelons — a forward operational echelon of four infantry corps; supported by a second operational echelon of two mechanized corps, the armor corps, and an artillery corps; and a strategic reserve of the two remaining mechanized corps and the other artillery corps. These forces include the 806th and 815th Mechanized Corps and the 820th Armored Corps. These forces are garrisoned along major north-south lines of communication that provide rapid, easy access to avenues of approach into South Korea. The KPA has positioned massive numbers of artillery pieces, including some fakes, especially its longer-range systems, close to the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ) that separates the two Korea's.

KPA soldiers at the DMZ

As of 2013, the US Department of Defense has reported the ground forces in number totals 950,000 in strength.

Equipment

The Ground Forces have a mix of domestic and imported equipment in their inventory. Prior to the breakup of the Soviet Union, most of these items were Soviet made and later, from China.

Main sources: [1] (note that this source is known to be quite outdated), [2], [3]

The annual report of North Korea's military capabilities by the U.S. Department of Defense, released in early 2014, identified the North Korean Army's strength at 1.4 Million personnel, 5,500 tanks, 2,200 armored vehicles, 8,600 artillery guns, and over 4,800 multiple rocket launchers.

Armor

Today's KPA arsenal includes a mix of Soviet and Chinese products and locally produced armored vehicles.

Name	Type	Quantity	Origin	Photo	Notes
Tanks
T-55	Main battle tank	2,000	Soviet Union		Some 2000 T-55 and Type 59 Tanks are thought to currently be in service. Can be equipped with spaced armor to defeat HEAT warheads.
T-62M	Main battle tank	1,000	Soviet Union		Capable of receiving later model Ch'onma-Ho upgrades.
Type 59	Main battle tank	1,000	People's Republic of China		Some 2,000 T-55 and Type 59 tanks are thought to currently be in service.
Ch'ŏnma-ho	Main battle tank	~1,000	Democratic People's Republic of Korea		1,000 manufactured (as of the early 1990's).
P'okpung-ho	Main battle tank	~500 in service as of 2010	Democratic People's Republic of Korea		Locally designed main battle tank. Contains elements from T-62, T-72, Type 88, T-80 and T-90.
PT-76	Amphibious light tank	500	Soviet Union		Some PT-76 are in reserve status.
Type 63	Amphibious light tank	N/A	People's Republic of China
PT-85 (Type-82)	Amphibious light tank	N/A	Democratic People's Republic of Korea		Based on the VTT-323 APC chassis.
Armored Personnel Carriers & Infantry Fighting Vehicles
BMP-1	Infantry fighting vehicle	100	Soviet Union		Designated as Korshun.
BTR-152	Armored personnel carrier	N/A	Soviet Union
BTR-50P	Armored personnel carrier	N/A	Soviet Union
BTR-60PB	Armored personnel carrier	1,000	Soviet Union		First ordered in 1966.
BTR-80A	Armored personnel carrier	100	Soviet Union
Type 55	Armored personnel carrier	N/A	People's Republic of China
Type 63 APC	Armored personnel carrier	500	Democratic People's Republic of Korea		Variant VTT-323 based on Chinese A531.
M1992	Armored personnel carrier	N/A	Democratic People's Republic of Korea		Locally designed APC based on the BRDM-2. Armed with an AGS-17 grenade launcher and a 9K111 Fagot ATGM.
VTT-323 (M-1973)	Armored personnel carrier	N/A	Democratic People's Republic of Korea		Based on the YW-531.
M-2010	Armored personnel carrier	N/A	Democratic People's Republic of Korea		Based on the VTT-323 but with longer chassis and improved optics.

Vehicles

Name	Type	In Service	Notes
Transportation and logistics
GAZ-3937	Utility vehicle
LuAZ-967	Utility vehicle
Mercedes G-Class	Utility vehicle		Seen during the funeral of Kim Jong-il
Thairung TR MUV4	Utility vehicle
Ford Bronco	Utility vehicle
UAZ-3151	Utility vehicle
GAZ-51	General-purpose truck
Ural-4320	General-purpose truck
FAW MV3	General-purpose truck
ZIL-131	Container semi-trailer truck
MAZ-7310	Missile system carrier
WS-51200 TEL	Transporter erector launcher platform	10

Artillery

The KPA-GF artillery pool include both imports and locally produced guns.

Name	Type	In Service	Notes
Howitzers
M-1985	152 mm gun-howitzer		D-20/M1955; Type 83
M-1981	122 mm self-propelled gun		Type 54 SPH
M-1978	170 mm SP gun-howitzer		Largest caliber howitzer in KPA service
M-1975	130 mm self-propelled gun
M-1974	152 mm SP gun-howitzer
M-1992	130 mm self-propelled gun
M-1991	122 mm self-propelled howitzer
M-1992	120 mm self-propelled combination gun
SU-100	100 mm SP assault gun
Mortars
mortars	various ?	North Korea is known to have some 10,000 mortars of different types and origin in its inventory
Rocket Artillery
Type 63	107 mm multiple rocket launcher	4,000 delivered between 1964-1990
M-1985	122 mm multiple rocket launcher
BM-11	122 mm multiple rocket launcher
BMD-20	200 mm multiple rocket launcher	200 delivered in mid-1950s
BM-24	240 mm multiple rocket launcher	500 delivered in 1955
M1985/M1991	240 mm rocket launcher	Estimated 200+ in service between both models	Range estimates of 30–43–60–70 km (19–27–37–43 mi)
KN-09	300 mm rocket launcher

Weapons

Anti-tank weapons

Name
Man-portable anti-tank
RPG-2
RPG-7 (Local production)
Type 69 RPG Chinese rocket-propelled grenade
RPO-A (Local production?)
ATGMs
AT-1 Snapper
AT-2 Swatter
AT-3 Sagger
AT-4 Spigot
AT-5 Spandrel
AT-6 Spiral
AT-7 Saxhorn
Recoilless Rifles
B-10 recoilless rifle
B-11 recoilless rifle
SPG-9

Anti-aircraft weapons

Name
MANPADS
SA-7 MANPADS (Locally produced)
SA-14 MANPADS (Locally produced)
SA-16 MANPADS (Locally produced)
Anti-aircraft artillery
ZPU-4
ZU-23-2
M1939
ZSU-57-2
ZSU-23-4
M1984 14.5mm (Locally produced)
M1985 57mm (Locally produced)
M1992 30mm (Locally produced)
M1992 37mm (Locally produced)

Small arms

In South Korea, many of North Korean small arms are showcased in many war museums, such as War Memorial of Korea, tourist sitse of North Korean infiltration tunnels, or for the purpose of inspiring patriotism to citizens. The Korean Defense Intelligence Command (KDIC) displays North Korean equipment (most of them used by Special Forces) on an exhibition van in various military-related events place such as military units or public establishments.

Name	Country of origin	Notes
Semi-automatic pistols
Type 64	Soviet Union / North Korea	Unlicensed copy
Type 66	Soviet Union / North Korea	Indigenous copy
Type 68	Soviet Union / North Korea	Indigenous copy
Type 70	North Korea	Self-designed and produced; chambered in .32 ACP
BaekDuSan	Czechoslovakia / North Korea	Issued to high-ranking officers, pilots, and special force members
Norinco NZ-75	PRC / North Korea
FN Baby Browning	Belgium	Issued to spies
CZ 82	Czech Republic	Issued to senior officers
Inglis Hi-Power	Canada	Issued to spies and special force members
M1911 pistol	United States	Issued to Kim Jong-un's bodyguards
Sub-machine guns
PPS-43	Soviet Union / PRC	Both Soviet PPS submachine guns and Chinese Type 54s
M3	United States
M56	SFR Yugoslavia
Shotguns
KS-23	Soviet Union
Assault rifles
Type 56	PRC
Norinco CQ	PRC PRK
Kbs wz. 1996 Beryl	POL
M16A1	United States North Korea	Probably unlicensed copies; used by special forces members.
Type 58	North Korea	Standard issue of KPA reserve forces
Type 68	Soviet Union / North Korea	Standard issue among North Korean infantry and being slowly supplanted by the Type 88 or 98
Type 98	North Korea	Slowly supplanting the Type 68 as the future standard issue rifle of the KPA
Sniper rifles
Dragunov SVD	Soviet Union
PSL	Romania
Light machine guns
RPK	Soviet Union	Manufactured as Type 64
PKM	Soviet Union
RPD	North Korea
Type 73	North Korea	Indigenous design based on the Vz. 52 machine gun and the Kalashnikov PK machine gun design
Nikonov machine gun	Soviet Union
RP-46	Soviet Union
Heavy machine guns
DShKM	Soviet Union North Korea	Standard issue
NSV machine gun	Soviet Union North Korea
KPV	Soviet Union
Grenade launchers
GP-25	Soviet Union North Korea
AGS-17	Soviet Union North Korea

Retired small arms

(Some probably kept in storage for Worker-Peasant Red Guards units)

• TT pistol - Soviet Union made Tokarev batches, replaced by the locally made Type 68 pistol.
• Type 54 pistol - Chinese made Tokarev batches, replaced by the locally made Type 68 pistol.
• PPSh-41 - Under the designation 'Type 49'
• Type 100 - Japanese sub-machine gun, captured during World War II and used in the Korean War.
• Mosin–Nagant - Now used for ceremonial purposes only
• PPD-40
• SVT-40
• SG-43 Goryunov
• DP
• Type 63 Rifle - Locally produced variant of the Soviet SKS carbine. Now used by ceremonial and reserve forces of the KPA.

Ranks and uniforms

Ranks

Korean People's Army Ground Forces has six categories of ranks; marshals, general officers, senior officers, junior officers, Non-commissioned Officers, and soldiers.

Enlisted

	NCOs				Soldiers
Ranks in Korean	T'ŭkmu-sangsa 특무상사	Sangsa 상사	Chungsa 중사	Hasa 하사	Sanggŭp-pyŏngsa 상급병사	Chungŭp-pyŏngsa 중급병사	Hagŭp-pyŏngsa 하급병사	Chŏnsa 전사
Ranks	Chief Master Sergeant	Staff Sergeant	Sergeant	Junior Sergeant	Corporal First Class	Corporal	Lance corporal	Private

Officers

	Generals				Officers
Ranks in Korean	Taejang 대장	Sangjang 상장	Chungjang 중장	Sojang 소장	Taejwa 대좌	Sangjwa 상좌	Chungjwa 중좌	Sojwa 소좌	Taewi 대위	Sangwi 상위	Chungwi 중위	Sowi 소위
Ranks	General of the Army	Colonel General	Lieutenant General	Major General	Senior Colonel	Colonel	Lieutenant Colonel	Major	Captain	Senior Lieutenant	Lieutenant	Junior Lieutenant

Marshals

The Vice Marshal rank was created for a combined political-military position.

The Marshal of the KPA rank was created for a combined honorary promotion of political-military position.

Supreme commanders ranks are Marshal of the DPRK and Generalissimo.

	Supreme commanders		Marshals
Ranks in Korean	Tae wonsu 대원수	Konghwaguk Wonsu 공화국원수	Wonsu 원수	Ch'asu 차수
Ranks	Generalissimo	Marshal of the DPRK	Marshal of the KPA	Vice Marshal

Uniform

KPA officers and soldiers are most often seen wearing a mix of olive green or tan uniforms. The basic dress uniform consists of a tunic and pants (white tunics for general officers in special occasions); female soldiers wear knee length skirts but can sometimes wear pants.

Caps or peaked caps, especially for officers (and sometimes berets for women) are worn in spring and summer months and a Russian style fur hat (the Ushanka hats) in winter. A variant of the Disruptive Pattern Material, the Disruptive Pattern Combat Uniform (green), the ERDL pattern, the M81 Woodland and the Tigerstripe is also being worn by a few and rare images of North Korean army officers and service personnel. In Non-Dress uniforms a steel helmet (Soviet SSh68 combat helmet) seems to be the most common headgear, and is sometimes worn with a camouflage covering.

Standard military boots are worn for combat, women wear low heel shoes or heel boots for formal parades.

Camouflage uniforms are slowly becoming more common in the KPA. During the April 15, 2012 parade, Kevlar helmets were displayed in certain KPA units.

See also

• South Korean Army

References

• Robert A. Scalapino, Chong-Sik Lee, Communism in Korea: The society, University of California Press, 1972 - Political Science

External links

• Military and Security Developments Involving the Democratic People's Republic of Korea 2012
• Military and Security Developments Involving the Democratic People's Republic of Korea 2013