Order of Freedom and Independence

Order of Freedom and Independence
자유독립훈장 (自由獨立勳章)
Collar and Star of the Order of Freedom and Independence
TypeOrder
Awarded forMilitary achievements
CountryNorth Korea
Presented byThe Democratic People's Republic of Korea
Campaign(s)Korean War
Motto"조국을 위하여"
(For the Fatherland)[1]
StatusActive
Established7 July 1950 (1950-07-07)
Total227 (First Class)
7746 (Second Class)
First and second class ribbons
Precedence
Next (higher)Order of the National Flag[2]
RelatedOrder of the National Flag
Order of Freedom and Independence
Chosŏn'gŭl
자유독립훈장[2]
Hancha
自由獨立勳章
Revised RomanizationJayu Dongnip Hunjang
McCune–ReischauerChayu Tongnip Hunchang[3]

The Order of Freedom and Independence (Korean자유독립훈장; MRChayu Tongnip Hunchang / Jayu Tongnip Hunjang) is one of the highest North Korean orders. It is divided into two classes:[2] the first class is awarded to commanders and partisan units of brigades, divisions, and higher military groups for bravery, courage, and auspicious command of military operations. The second class is awarded to the commanders of partisan regiments, battalions, companies, and detachments, as well as to civil professionals employed in the industry for the military.[4] The order is awarded with the Order of the National Flag of the same rank.[2]

The order was instituted on 7 July 1950, during the Korean War.[3]

Two variants have been made: one Soviet-made with a twisting mechanism for attachment and a North Korean-made with a pin.[5]

  1. ^ "Medal-Medaille , Orders, decorations and medals of the world for sale online". medal-medaille.com. Retrieved 11 October 2015.
  2. ^ a b c d Weiser, Martin (8 January 2016). "Chests Full of Brass: A DPRK Political History in Orders, Medals, Prizes, and Titles". Sino-NK. Retrieved 16 April 2016.
  3. ^ a b Sainty, Guy Stair (17 August 2006). World orders of knighthood and merit. Vol. 2. Burke's Peerage & Gentry. p. 1281. ISBN 978-0-9711966-7-4.
  4. ^ Mała Encyklopedia Wojskowa (in Polish). Vol. II. Warsaw: Wyd-wo Ministerstwa Obrony Narodowej. 1970. OCLC 644013103.
  5. ^ НАГРАДЫ КНДР. ОРДЕН СВОБОДЫ И НЕЗАВИСИМОСТИ.. wawards.narod.ru (in Russian). Retrieved 11 October 2015.