Korean People's Army

The regular armed forces of North Korea, founded in 1948, with about 1.2 million troops and nuclear and missile forces; one of the world's largest standing armies.

Korean People's Army

Overview

The Korean People's Army (조선 인민군; 朝鮮人民軍, Korean People's Army) is the regular military of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (North Korea) and a core governing institution of the state. It was founded on February 8, 1948, and is commanded by the Central Military Commission of the Workers' Party of Korea, the State Affairs Commission, and Supreme Commander Kim Jong Un. Its nominal standing force is over about 1.2 million, making it one of the largest militaries in the world, and it is assessed to possess nuclear weapons and ballistic missile forces.

Main Content

Founding and History

The origins of the Korean People's Army lie in the anti-Japanese partisan struggle of the 1930s and the security forces organized with Soviet support after liberation in 1945. The Korean People's Army was formally founded on February 8, 1948, and the government of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea was established in September of the same year. It initiated the Korean War on June 25, 1950, and even after the 1953 armistice agreement, the two Koreas remain technically at war. Thereafter, in the 1960s–70s it focused its capabilities on provocations against South Korea and expanding special warfare capabilities, and since the 1990s on nuclear and missile development.

Organizational Structure

The Korean People's Army operates under the leadership of the Central Military Commission of the Workers' Party of Korea in a dual structure in which the Ministry of National Defense (military administration), the General Staff Department (military operations), and the General Political Bureau check one another. The Supreme Commander is Kim Jong Un, President of the State Affairs Commission, while the Chief of the General Staff, Minister of National Defense, and Director of the General Political Bureau form the de facto military command line. Troops are organized around the army, with the navy, air force, Strategic Force, and special operations forces existing separately.

Military Service System

North Korea is known as one of the countries with the longest military service periods in the world. Men are required to serve about 10 years and women 6–7 years, and recently, due to a decline in manpower resources, expansion of female conscription and adjustment of service periods are being discussed. Military service also functions as an important route to social advancement and party membership.

Service Branches and Forces

The army is organized around large-scale artillery and armored forces; the navy operates submarine forces; and the air force mainly operates aging fighter aircraft. The Strategic Force integrates and operates Scud, Nodong, and Hwasong-series ballistic missiles, and the special operations forces are estimated at about 200,000 personnel and are responsible for infiltration and disruption missions. Although much of the equipment is older compared with the size of the force, artillery and long-range firepower are assessed as a direct threat to the capital region.

Nuclear and Missile Forces

Since its first nuclear test in 2006, North Korea has conducted more than six nuclear tests and has pursued miniaturization of nuclear weapons and acquisition of various delivery means. Intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBMs) such as the Hwasong-17, submarine-launched ballistic missiles (SLBMs), cruise missiles, and hypersonic missiles have been test-launched. Through its Law on Nuclear Force Policy, it has also stipulated the possibility of preemptive nuclear use.

Economic and Social Role

Beyond being a defense organization, the military is mobilized on a large scale for economic activities such as construction, mining, and agriculture, and is also deployed in major national construction projects. The munitions factory network and military-related enterprises account for a significant portion of the North Korean economy. The military also performs a political role as a core support base for the party and the regime.

Recent Developments

Since 2024, North Korea has greatly expanded military cooperation with Russia. The deployment of North Korean troops and ammunition support to the war in Ukraine has become a major issue for the international community, and in return, Russia is assessed to have provided military technology, food, and energy support. In 2024, military reconnaissance satellite launches failed several times, and in 2025 satellite and missile tests and inter-Korean tensions continue. In addition, attempts to introduce drones and AI-based surveillance systems, reorganization of special warfare forces, and discussions on expanding female conscription are under way. In response to strengthened US-ROK-Japan security cooperation, mentions of advancing nuclear and missile capabilities and the possibility of deploying tactical nuclear weapons are repeated, and strategic solidarity with Russia and China is also deepening.