Korean People's Army
The Korean People's Army (KPA; Korean: 조선인민군; MR: Chosŏn inmin'gun) encompasses the combined military forces of North Korea and the armed wing of the Workers' Party of Korea (WPK). The KPA consists of five branches: the Ground Force, the Naval Force, the Air Force, Strategic Force, and the Special Operation Force. It is commanded by the WPK Central Military Commission, which is chaired by the WPK general secretary, and the president of the State Affairs; both posts are currently headed by Kim Jong Un.
| Korean People's Army | |
|---|---|
| 조선인민군 Chosŏn inmin'gun | |
Emblem of the Korean People's Army | |
Flag of the Korean People's Army | |
| Founded | 25 April 1932 |
| Current form | 8 February 1948 |
| Service branches | |
| Headquarters | State Affairs Commission, Pyongyang |
| Leadership | |
| Governing body | Central Military Commission (CMC) |
| CMC leadership | Chairman: Marshal Kim Jong UnVice Chairmen: Marshal Ri Pyong-chol Vice Marshal Ri Yong-gil |
| Minister of Defence | Army General Kang Sun-nam |
| Chief of the General Staff | Vice Marshal Ri Yong-gil |
| Director of the General Political Bureau | Army General Jong Kyong-thaek |
| Personnel | |
| Military age | 17–30 |
| Conscription | Yes |
| Active personnel | 1,320,000 (ranked 5th) |
| Reserve personnel | 560,000+ |
| Expenditures | |
| Budget | US$2 billion (2023) |
| Percent of GDP | 5.0% (2018) |
| Industry | |
| Domestic suppliers |
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| Foreign suppliers | |
| Related articles | |
| Ranks | Military ranks of North Korea |
| Korean People's Army | |
| Chosŏn'gŭl | 조선인민군 |
|---|---|
| Hancha | 朝鮮人民軍 |
| Revised Romanization | Joseon Inmingun |
| McCune–Reischauer | Chosŏn Inmingun |
Politics of North Korea |
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North Korea portal
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The KPA considers its primary adversaries to be the Republic of Korea Armed Forces and United States Forces Korea, across the Korean Demilitarized Zone, as it has since the Armistice Agreement of July 1953. As of 2021 it is the second largest military organisation in the world, with 29.9% of the North Korean population actively serving, in reserve or in a paramilitary capacity.