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 (South Korea), the Korean People's Army of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (North Korea), and the military forces of the United States in South Korea.

In the South Korean armed forces, ranks fall into one of four categories: commissioned officer, warrant officer, non-commissioned officer, and enlisted, in decreasing order of authority. Commissioned officer ranks are subdivided into "Janggwan"-level (general) officers, "Yeonggwan"-level (field-grade) officers, and "Wi-gwan"-level (company-grade) officers. The ranks of all three branches (the Army, Navy, and Air Force) of the South Korean Armed Forces share the same titles in Hangul. Most ranks of South and North Korea are identical, with some exceptions such as the supreme North Korean ranks.

The following table lists the comparative ranks of the militaries in Korea, including their rank titles and insignia. In this table, the North Korean military rank insignia shown is that of their Army field uniform shoulder boards; their parade uniforms and uniforms of other branches use alternative color schemes with the same basic design. The South Korean and U.S. militaries likewise have subdued versions of their insignia in each of their branches.

(Note on romanization: In the article, all South Korean ranks are spelled accordingly with the Revised Romanization of Korean system; all North Korean ranks use the McCune-Reischauer system.)

Special ranks

These ranks are honorary ranks and are not considered part of the main rank scheme.

North Korean rank	North Korean insignia
대원수 Dae wonsu (Grand Marshal)[lower-alpha 1]
공화국원수 Konghwaguk Wonsu (Marshal of the Republic)[lower-alpha 2]

Officer ranks

The shoulder boards and sleeve stripes of American and South Korean ranks apply only to their navies. Neither the U.S. Marine Corps nor the ROK Marine Corps maintains a five star "General" rank. North Korea's People's Army does not maintain a separate marine corps or naval infantry branch as part of their armed forces, although it does maintain two "Amphibious Sniper Brigades" as part of the North Korean Special Operation Force (NKSOF). North Korean insignia follow the Soviet pattern, while South Korean insignia follow a mix of United States and British rank insignia traditions.

Army ranks

Equivalent NATO Code	OF-10		OF-9		OF-8		OF-7		OF-6		OF-5		OF-4		OF-3		OF-2		OF-1						OF(D) & Student officer
North Korea (Edit)																									Unknown
	Marshal of the KPA (인민군원수)	Vice Marshal (차수)	General of the Army (대장)		Colonel General (상장)		Lieutenant General (중장)		Major General (소장)		Senior Colonel (Brigadier) (대좌)	Colonel (상좌)	Lieutenant Colonel (중좌)		Major (소좌)		Captain (대위)		Senior Lieutenant (상위)		Lieutenant (중위)		Junior Lieutenant (소위)
South Korea (Edit)																									Unknown
	Marshal (원수)		General (대장)		Lieutenant General (중장)		Major General (소장)		Brigadier General (준장)		Colonel (대령)		Lieutenant Colonel (중령)		Major (소령)		Captain (대위)		Lieutenant (중위)			Junior Lieutenant (소위)
United States (1959–2015) (Edit)																									Various						Various
	General of the Army[1]		General		Lieutenant general		Major general		Brigadier general		Colonel		Lieutenant colonel		Major		Captain		First lieutenant			Second lieutenant			Officer candidate						Officer cadet
United States (Edit)																									Various						Various
	General of the Army[1]		General		Lieutenant General		Major General		Brigadier General		Colonel		Lieutenant Colonel		Major		Captain		First Lieutenant			Second Lieutenant			Officer Candidate						Officer Cadet
NATO code	OF-10		OF-9		OF-8		OF-7		OF-6		OF-5		OF-4		OF-3		OF-2		OF-1						OF(D)						Student officer

Air force ranks

Equivalent NATO Code	OF-10		OF-9		OF-8		OF-7		OF-6		OF-5		OF-4		OF-3		OF-2		OF-1						OF(D) & Student officer
North Korea (Edit)	No equivalent																								Unknown
			General of the Air Force (대장)		Colonel General (상장)		Lieutenant General (중장)		Major General (소장)		Senior Colonel (대좌)	Colonel (상좌)	Lieutenant Colonel (중좌)		Major (소좌)		Captain (대위)		First Lieutenant (상위)		Second Lieutenant (중위)		Third Lieutenant (소위)
South Korea (Edit)																									Unknown
	Marshal (원수)		General (대장)		Lieutenant General (중장)		Major General (소장)		Brigadier General (준장)		Colonel (대령)		Lieutenant Colonel (중령)		Major (소령)		Captain (대위)		Lieutenant (중위)			Junior Lieutenant (소위)
United States (Edit)																									Various						Various
	General of the Air Force1		General		Lieutenant General		Major General		Brigadier General		Colonel		Lieutenant Colonel		Major		Captain		First Lieutenant			Second Lieutenant			Officer Trainee						Officer Cadet
NATO code	OF-10		OF-9		OF-8		OF-7		OF-6		OF-5		OF-4		OF-3		OF-2		OF-1						OF(D)						Student officer

Naval ranks

Equivalent NATO Code	OF-10		OF-9		OF-8		OF-7		OF-6		OF-5		OF-4		OF-3		OF-2		OF-1						OF(D) & Student officer
North Korea (Edit)	No equivalent																								No equivalent
			Taejang (대장) Fleet Admiral		Sangjang (상장) Admiral		Chungjang (중장) Vice Admiral		Sojang (소장) Rear Admiral		Daechwa (대좌) Senior Captain	Sangjwa (상좌) Captain	Chungjwa (중좌) Commander		Sojwa (소좌) Lieutenant Commander		Taewi (대위) Captain lieutenant		Sangwi (상위) Senior lieutenant		Chungwi (중위) Lieutenant (junior grade)		Sowi (소위) Ensign
South Korea (Edit)																									No equivalent
	Wonsu (원수; 元帥) Fleet Admiral		Daejang (대장; 大將)Admiral		Jungjang (중장; 中將) Vice Admiral		Sojang (소장; 少將) Rear Admiral		Junjang (준장; 准將) Flotilla Admiral(Commodore)		Daeryeong (대령; 大領) Captain		Jungnyeong (중령; 中領) Commander		Soryeong (소령; 少領) Lieutenant Commander		Daewi (대위; 大尉) Lieutenant		Jungwi (중위; 中尉) Lieutenant (junior grade)			Sowi (소위; 少尉) Ensign
United States (Edit)																															Various
	Fleet Admiral		Admiral		Vice Admiral		Rear Admiral		Rear Admiral (lower half)		Captain		Commander		Lieutenant Commander		Lieutenant		Lieutenant (junior grade)			Ensign			Midshipman/Officer Candidate
NATO code	OF-10		OF-9		OF-8		OF-7		OF-6		OF-5		OF-4		OF-3		OF-2		OF-1						OF(D)						Student officer

Marine Corps & Coast Guard ranks

NATO code	OF-10		OF-9		OF-8		OF-7		OF-6		OF-5		OF-4		OF-3		OF-2		OF-1						OF(D)						Student officer
United States (Marine Corps) (Edit)	No equivalent																														Various
			General		Lieutenant General		Major General		Brigadier General		Colonel		Lieutenant Colonel		Major		Captain		First Lieutenant			Second Lieutenant			Midshipman/Officer Candidate
United States (Coast Guard) (Edit)	No equivalent																								No equivalent
			Admiral		Vice Admiral		Rear Admiral		Rear Admiral (lower half)		Captain		Commander		Lieutenant Commander		Lieutenant		Lieutenant (junior grade)			Ensign
NATO code	OF-10		OF-9		OF-8		OF-7		OF-6		OF-5		OF-4		OF-3		OF-2		OF-1						OF(D)						Student officer

Warrant officer ranks

NATO rank	WO-5	WO-4	WO-3	WO-2	WO-1
United States (Edit)
	Chief warrant officer 5	Chief warrant officer 4	Chief warrant officer 3	Chief warrant officer 2	Warrant officer 1
NATO rank	WO-5	WO-4	WO-3	WO-2	WO-1

NATO code	WO-5	WO-4	WO-3	WO-2	WO-1
United States (Edit)					No equivalent
	Chief Warrant Officer 5	Chief Warrant Officer 4	Chief Warrant Officer 3	Chief Warrant Officer 2
United States (Coast Guard) (Edit)	No equivalent				No equivalent
		Chief Warrant Officer 4	Chief Warrant Officer 3	Chief Warrant Officer 2
United States (Marine Corps) (Edit)
	Chief Warrant Officer 5	Chief Warrant Officer 4	Chief Warrant Officer 3	Chief Warrant Officer 2	Warrant Officer 1
NATO code	WO-5	WO-4	WO-3	WO-2	WO-1

Grade	Rank	Abbreviation	Army	Air Force	Navy	Marine Corps
WO	Warrant Officer	WO

Enlisted ranks

Both North Korea and South Korea share the same enlisted rank structure among all of their military branches. They also have enlisted ranks called "Corporal" and "Sergeant" in English, but they are not considered non-commissioned officer ranks, though they are treated as one if they hold an NCO position.

All branches of the South Korean armed forces maintain a single Warrant Officer rank known as Junwi. Warrant Officers fall in between non-commissioned and commissioned officers. The rank is denoted by a gold-colored Sowi insignia and, in the case of the South Korean Navy, a single broken sleeve stripe. The North Korean military does not maintain any equivalent Warrant Officer positions.

Enlisted rank insignia differ however: The ROKAF uses a mix of American, British, and French practice while the KPA's insignia follow Soviet practice.

Army ranks

Equivalent NATO Code	OR-9						OR-8		OR-7		OR-6						OR-5						OR-4		OR-3		OR-2						OR-1
North Korea (Edit)																																	No equivalent
	T'ŭkmu-sangsa 특무상사						Sangsa 상사		Chungsa 중사		Hasa 하사						Sanggŭp-pyŏngsa 상급병사						Chungŭp-pyŏngsa 중급병사		Hagŭp-pyŏngsa 하급병사		Chŏnsa 전사
	Sergeant Major						Master Sergeant		Sergeant First Class		Staff Sergeant						Sergeant						Corporal First Class		Corporal		Lance Corporal
South Korea (Edit)
	Wonsa 원사						Sangsa 상사		Jungsa 중사		Hasa 하사						Byeongjang 병장						Sangbyeong 상병		Ilbyeong 일병		Ibyeong 이병						Jangjeong 장정
	Sergeant Major						Master Sergeant		Sergeant First Class		Staff Sergeant						Sergeant						Corporal		Private First Class		Private						Recruit
United States (Edit)																																	No insignia
	Sergeant Major of the Army		Command sergeant major		Sergeant major		First sergeant	Master sergeant	Sergeant first class		Staff sergeant						Sergeant						Corporal	Specialist	Private first class		Private						Private
NATO Code	OR-9						OR-8		OR-7		OR-6						OR-5						OR-4		OR-3		OR-2						OR-1

Air force ranks

Equivalent NATO Code	OR-9						OR-8		OR-7		OR-6		OR-5		OR-4				OR-3		OR-2						OR-1
North Korea (Edit)																											No Equivalent
	T'ŭkmu-sangsa 특무상사						Sangsa 상사		Chungsa 중사		Hasa 하사		Sanggŭp-pyŏngsa 상급병사		Chungŭp-pyŏngsa 중급병사				Hagŭp-pyŏngsa 하급병사		Chŏnsa 전사
	Sergeant Major						Master Sergeant		Sergeant First Class		Staff Sergeant		Sergeant		Corporal				Airman First Class		Airman
South Korea (Edit)
	Wonsa 원사						Sangsa 상사		Jungsa 중사		Hasa 하사		Byeongjang 병장		Sangbyeong 상병				Ilbyeong 일병		Ibyeong 이병						Jangjeong 장정
	Sergeant Major						Master Sergeant		Technical Sergeant		Staff Sergeant		Sergeant		Corporal				Airman First Class		Airman						Recruit
United States (Edit)																											No insignia
	Chief Master Sergeant of the Air Force		Command Chief Master Sergeant		Chief Master Sergeant		Senior Master Sergeant		Master Sergeant		Technical Sergeant		Staff Sergeant		Senior Airman				Airman First Class		Airman						Airman Basic
NATO Code	OR-9						OR-8		OR-7		OR-6		OR-5		OR-4				OR-3		OR-2						OR-1

Navy ranks

Equivalent NATO Code	OR-9						OR-8		OR-7		OR-6						OR-5		OR-4				OR-3		OR-2		OR-1
North Korea (Edit)																											No Equivalent
	T'ŭkmu-sangsa 특무상사						Sangsa 상사		Chungsa 중사		Hasa 하사						Sanggŭp-pyŏngsa 상급병사		Chungŭp-pyŏngsa 중급병사				Hagŭp-pyŏngsa 하급병사		Chŏnsa 전사
	Master chief petty officer						Senior Chief Petty Officer		Chief Petty Officer		Petty Officer 1st Class						Petty Officer 2nd Class		Petty Officer 3rd Class				Seaman		Seaman Recruit
South Korea (Edit)
	Wonsa 원사						Sangsa 상사		Jungsa 중사						Hasa 하사		Byeongjang 병장		Sangbyeong 상병				Ilbyeong 일병		Ibyeong 이병		Jangjeong 장정
	Master Chief Petty Officer						Senior Chief Petty Officer		Chief Petty Officer						Petty Officer 1st Class		Petty Officer 2nd Class		Petty Officer 3rd Class				Seaman 1st Class		Seaman		Seaman apprentice
United States (Edit)																											No insignia
	Master Chief Petty Officer of the Navy		Fleet/Force Master Chief Petty Officer	Command Master Chief Petty Officer	Master Chief Petty Officer		Senior Chief Petty Officer		Chief Petty Officer		Petty Officer First Class						Petty Officer Second Class		Petty Officer Third Class				Seaman		Seaman Apprentice		Seaman Recruit
NATO Code	OR-9						OR-8		OR-7		OR-6						OR-5		OR-4				OR-3		OR-2		OR-1

Marine Corps & Coast Guard ranks

NATO Code	OR-9						OR-8		OR-7		OR-6						OR-5		OR-4				OR-3		OR-2		OR-1
United States (Marine Corps) (Edit)																											No Insignia
	Sergeant Major of the Marine Corps		Sergeant Major		Master Gunnery Sergeant		First Sergeant	Master Sergeant	Gunnery Sergeant		Staff Sergeant						Sergeant		Corporal				Lance Corporal		Private First Class		Private
United States (Coast Guard) (Edit)
	Master Chief Petty Officer of the Coast Guard		Master Chief Petty Officer of the Coast Guard Reserve	Command Master Chief Petty Officer	Master Chief Petty Officer		Senior Chief Petty Officer		Chief Petty Officer		Petty Officer First Class						Petty Officer Second Class		Petty Officer Third Class				Seaman		Seaman Apprentice		Seaman Recruit
NATO Code	OR-9						OR-8		OR-7		OR-6						OR-5		OR-4				OR-3		OR-2		OR-1

See also

• Comparative military ranks
• Comparative army officer ranks of Asia

Notes

1. 1 2 Title; Honorary or posthumous rank; war time rank; ceremonial rank