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, the idea for the Order of Kim Il Sung originated with Kim Jong Il.[4] Likewise, it is claimed that 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]

The Order of Kim Il Sung is similar in appearance to the Soviet Order of Lenin. Uniquely, the Order of Kim Il Sung was the only state order named after a living ruler from its inception until the establishment of the Order of Turkmenbashi.[4]

Eligibility

The order is traditionally awarded annually on 15 April, the birthday of Kim Il Sung.[5] It is awarded for "outstanding services to the Republic of the Korean nation and communism".[6]

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,[7] although out of titles the Hero of Labour is considered higher.[1] The Order of the National Flag is one rank lower.[5]

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

Recipients

See also

References
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Works cited

Further reading
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Order of Kim Il-sung.
  • Vantage Point. Vol. 5–6. Naewoe Press. 1982. p. 14, table 3: 134 Leaders Decorated with the Order of Kim Il–sung.
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