North Korean Awards

[Bill Dienna]

I acquired this grouping based upon its description as a "Complete group with documentation", and that may be an accurate description. It is a set of four Orders of the National Flag, one second class and three third class, bestowed upon a man who was a member of the Korean Peoples Army.

Like the vast majority of DPRK Orders that I have seen, the Orders themselves are unnumbered, and there is therefore no corresponding number for the Order filled in the Order book.

[Bill Dienna]

Unfortunately, the contrast of the ink entries demonstrates the presumed danger of a former Peoples Army member disposing of his awards.

The book has had its Order Book number removed.

The name of the recipient has been altered.

The year and date of birth have been changed and, in doing so, a birth date of "1952" was created. Considering that the first award of the National Flag was made in 1962, we either have a date alteration or a child prodigy.

And the place of birth was also modified.

Disappointing, but I suppose understandable in light of the regime under which this individual lived.

Edited November 30, 2009 by Bill Dienna

[Stogieman]

Hi Bill, nice images, thanks for sharing them. I agree on the need for subterfuge on the part of anyone who escapes a repressive regime..... I think they would probably have family back home that must still live in fear of punishment. We see the same situation south of the US Border these days.

[Stogieman]

New one, Twenty Years Foundation People's Army. Quality is really very nice, possibly Soviet manufacture? There is no number, but it looks almost like initials scratched in!

[Stogieman]

Some details:

[Stogieman]

As close as I can get:

[Bill Dienna]

That is a beautiful example, Rick, in a superb case !

I have a DPRK medal in a similar box, though mine is red with a metal DPRK crest on the lid. But mine also has a recessed red compartment for the award.

In light of the vast difference between the boxes such as the one in your photo, and the standard plastic "soap container" case we normally see, I would think that the nicely boxed examples might represent awards made to foreigners. Photographs of DPRK awards that I have seen that were given to non-Koreans have always been shown in a very nice cases such as yours.

And there definitely seems to be something scratched on to the number line, but to me it actually looks like a number (for example, the figure on the viewer's right looks like a "5" to me).

Just a super piece, Rick!

Edited December 8, 2009 by Bill Dienna

[Bill Dienna]

Last night I received my copy of the new book on the awards of the DPRK by Sessler and McDaniel. This is a really extraordinary volume! In my opinion it surpasses the volume by McDaniel and Schmitt on soviet awards, if for no other reason than because obtaining information on the DPRK awards was undoubtedly infinitely more difficult. In fact, my only disappointment with the book was the fact that I think the story of its compilation would have been a fascinating addendum. Mr. Sessler was a decorated combat veteran of the Korean War who was evidently welcomed into North Korea in the 1990's to work on the book.

The photography is superb, the information is invaluable.

What was perhaps most interesting to me was the fact that the authors assigned a "rarity rating" to the orders and medals just as had been done in the Soviet awards book. And while I did not examine every single entry in the book (yet!), it seemed to me that the vast majority of the ratings were either "1" (common) or "5" (very rare); there didn't seem to be too many in that middle area!

[Bob]

I've received my copy of the book as well. Without any reservation: this is a SUPERB book. A wealth of information in here, extremely comprehensive, and beautifully published. For anyone with even a slight interest in DPRK awards I can HIGHLY recommend to get this book. It clearly sets the standard for many years to come. I doubt it will be surpassed unless DPRK government itself develops and publishes a book.

I've only flipped through the pages briefly as this one clearly requires sitting down with a warm cup of tea on a rainy sunday and spending an entire day to read through it.

This book belongs in any collection of people interested in socialist awards.

[Bob]

http://gmic.co.uk/index.php?showtopic=42122

Post in above thread to express your support of a seperate dedicated DPRK area!

[ilja559]

24 April 2013 was instituted Order "60 Years of Victory in the Patriotic Liberation War ".

[ilja559]

Russian veterans of the Korean War were awarded July 27, 2013.

[utopis]

Very heroic design. I like it.

It would be nice to see close up pictures.

[Rogi]

Looks especially patriotic, glad someone hasn't lost their touch in medal designs lol

[ilja559]

Received today.

[Rogi]

Ohhhh very nice arrival, if you need them translated, send me a pm

[ilja559]

Hi Rogi. Thank you for help. If you can translate them, I will make better photo.

Regards.

Ilja

[Lukasz Gaszewski]

24 April 2013 was instituted Order "60 Years of Victory in the Patriotic Liberation War ".

Does anybody know the ribbon bar to it?

[Bob]

http://sinonk.com/2016/01/08/chests-full-of-brass-a-dprk-political-history-in-orders-medals-prizes-and-titles/

Interesting article

[boonicootza]

I just purchased this award document. Probably awarded to a Romanian.

What is it exactly?

Thanks

[bbrandon]

On 25.12.2006 at 16:29, reichsrommel said:

Hi, All

 

Here is a good picture

 

Tang Si

Hi Tang Si,

Great picture of this medal!

(I hope you are still an active member, btw)

Do you (or anyone here) know how to find out if a Kim-Il Sung Medal is original? I have seen some medals around the internet, but all seem to have some minor differences. Is output of NK Mint really so much variating? Unfortunately, also picture in Sessler's book is not helping, as details can't be seen.  

Where I live we don't have any Pro on NK medals. I hope there are some NK Medals Professionals around here that have some hints?

[nickstrenk]

It is not the award,but only a badge.I was not able to identify it looking for through the internet,so I hope someboby will be able to do it.Is it a Distingushed -Superior Soldier Badge?

[nickstrenk]

23 hours ago, nickstrenk said:

It is not the award,but only a badge.I was not able to identify it looking for through the internet,so I hope someboby will be able to do it.Is it a Distingushed -Superior Soldier Badge?

I was not mistaken.One good man prompted me in one Russian forum-Faleristika .info. Superior Soldier-Badge.

Edited March 19, 2018 by nickstrenk

[Bob]

Any updates on DPRK collecting? I've been considering acquiring one of the beautiful Soviet made awards (such as the Order of Labor) and was surprised to see the previously large amount of high end awards for sale on a New Jersey dealer site virtually all having disappeared.

[ChrisW]

This photo from an Egyptian magazine shows the North Korean Order of the National Flag, First Class. The award document (in Arabic) indicates it was awarded to Egyptian General Saad el-Din el-Shazly, in accordance with Republican Decree 83 of 11 April 1973, and approved by Kim Il Sung on 12 April 1973.