Hero of Labor (North Korea) explained

Presenter:North Korea
Country:North Korea
Lower:Order of Kim Il Sung, Order of Kim Jong Il
Status:Active
Established:17 July 1951
Total Awarded:335
Rr:Roryeog Yeongung
Mr:Roryŏk Yŏng'ung
Context:north

Labor Hero [1] is one of the highest titles of honor of North Korea and the highest decoration of the country overall. The award was probably scheduled for establishment in the summer of 1950, but the Korean War postponed these plans. When the war had entered a phase of stalemate along the 38th parallel, the government had time to officially launch the decoration, originally under the name Korea Hero of Labor. 16 people were decorated Labor Heroes during the war and more since then. The decoration is based on its Soviet equivalent, Hero of Socialist Labour.

Specifications

Hero of Labor is the highest title of honor of North Korea. It is also the highest decoration of the country overall.[2] Along with the title a gold medal is awarded. The medal features the hammer and sickle on a five-pointed star. Immediately below it are the Order of Kim Il Sung and Kim Il Sung Prizes. It is awarded independently of the similar award of Order of Korean Labour.

If someone is awarded it twice, they become a "Double Labor Hero" .

History

Hero of Labor was probably scheduled to be established in the summer of 1950, but the breaking up of the Korean War halted the plans. Only when the war reached a stalemate along the 38th parallel did the government have time to concentrate on its awards system. Hero of Labor was promulgated on 17 July 1951 and it became the highest civilian award of the country.[3] The title is based on its Soviet equivalent, Hero of Socialist Labour.

It was initially promulgated as Korea Hero of Labor, using the Korean word Choson . This set it apart from the related Order of Labor whose full name was "Korean People's Republic Order of Labor". This is likely because North Koreans copied every detail of the decorations of the Soviet Union, some of which featured the longer name of the country, "Soviet Union", and others simply "Soviet".

During the war, 16 people were decorated Labor Heroes.[4] Once the war was over, surprisingly, Kim Il Sung was not awarded the title. He received one only on 7 September 1958, probably because he had consolidated his position in power following the 1956 attempted coup d'état known as the August Faction Incident. Kim Jong Il was never awarded one, leading observers to conclude that the prize did not have much political value at least at that time.

In more recent times, it has been habitually awarded to mothers who have given birth to exceptionally many children.[5]

Recipients

NameOccupationDateNotes
Kim Rak-huipoliticianAwarded for leading post-war reconstruction of farms in Kaechon[6]
Kim Il SungPremier of North KoreaAwarded after the August Faction Incident (1956)[7]
Paek Sol-huibotanistDeveloper of a crop strain
Ri Pyong-sampoliticianPolitical Director of the Korean People's Internal Security Forces[8]
Chang Jae-ryongmanagerManager of Osoksan Granite Mine, Ryonggang County, Nampho. Awarded "for his meritorious services, displaying bold and enterprising work style and practical ability."[9]
Hong Song-gwansea captainFormer captain of Fishing Boat 1728 of the Second Fleet of the Kamapho Fishery Station that overfulfilled the fishing plan on many years[10]
Kim Chun-huiweightlifting coach2018Weightlifting coach of the Kigwancha Sports Club[11]
300 workersAwarded following the 1974 70-Day Battle mass mobilization campaign
Jo Myong-sukmanagerManager of the Hadang Unha Clothing Factory, awarded "in high appreciation of her devoted services to the prosperity of the country and the improvement of the people's living standards."[12]
Jong Yong-manpainterAwarded twice. Painter of over 600 works, 170 which are in the Korean Art Gallery[13]
Kim Kwang-minfootball coachCoach of the women of the April 25 Sports Team and the women's national team[14]
Kim Sang-ryonagronomistDeveloper of a rice strain
Kim Sin-ungassociate academicianAt the Pyongyang University of Mechanical Engineering[15]
Mun Kang-sunweaverOverfulfilling plans at the Kim Jong-suk Textile Mill[16]
O Tae-hyongsculptorTook part in sculpting the Chollima Statue, Monument to the Victorious Battle of Pochonbo, Mansu Hill Grand Monument, Wangjaesan Grand Monument and the Monument to Party Founding.[17]
actor and director"[F]or his contribution to the development of the Juche-based film art"[18]
Pak Jong-jufilm directorDirector at the Korean Film Studio[19]
Paek Jong-mukmanagerManager of the Sogam Pharmaceutical Factory[20]
Ra Un-simfootballerCaptain of the North Korea women's national football team
Ri Ok-sangagriculturalistDeveloped stockbreeding technology[21]
Ri Song-gunpainterPainter of the Korean Painting Production Unit of the Mansudae Art Studio[22]
Ri Sung-ikvirologistHead of the Virus Research Institute of the Pyongyang Medical College of Kim Il Sung University[23]
Ro Ik-hwasculptorMaker of many famous statues with the Merited Sculpture Production Company of the Mansudae Art Studio[24]
Ri Yong-sukpoliticiananti-Japanese war veteran[25]
Jin Pong-junmanagerManager of Fishery Station No. 223 run by the Korean People's Army[26]
Kang Song-il24 March 2021Awarded for feats of economic and socialist construction[27]
Jang Tong-gil
Kye Chol-nam
Sin Song-chol
Sin Myong-son
Kim Hui-ok
Rim Yong-ok
Jang Ryong-sikvice-department director of the Information and Publicity Department of the Central Committee of the Workers' Party of Korea 6 October 2020Merits in music and art[28]
Choe Chang SuActor [29]
Yu Won JunActor
Kanggye Youth Power Station unit 3Hydropower plant29 April 1984[30]
Yakov NovichenkoSoviet military officer28 July 1984Saved the life of Kim Il Sung on 1 March 1946[31]
Red Flag 1-class locomotive of Tanchon Youth Engine Service Brigade Electric locomotivealso awarded three 'three revolution flag' and 'Lathe No. 26' Model Machine Prize[32]
Kim Byong-sukangler2 August 1959[33]
Kim Sok-unsoldierunknownBattalion commander of North Hwanghae Province Youth Construction Brigade[34]
Kim Hak-hyongsoldierAugust 1988Battalion commander of North Pyongan Province Youth Construction Brigade[35]
Ri Hyun-soppoliticianAugust 1988Director of the Speed Offensive Youth Assault brigade of the Youth League Central Committee [36]
Kim Hong-sunmanagerApril 1989Manager of 6th Hydroelectric Power Station Construction Office[37]
Ryang Dok-kyupolitician April 1989Director of Construction Bureau of Kaesong Central Committee[38]
Ri Ung-siksoldierAugust 1988Chief of the Military Band of the Supreme Command of the Korean People's Army[39]
Sim Byong-gisoldierFebruary 2001Officer of the Korean People's Army[40]
Pak Myong-sonpolitician November 2002Deputy Party Chairman of Jongphyong County[41]
O Sa-songbusinessman2 July 2003[42]
Pak Un-jongmotherSeptember 2020Awarded for giving birth to many children
Ri Chun-heeKorean Central Television broadcaster6 September 2022contributions to broadcasting[43]
Kim Ki-ryongChairman of Korean Central Television

See also

References

Works cited

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Seventy-five years witness remarkable successes . . 2021-10-28 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20211001113931/http://www.pyongyangtimes.com.kp/?bbs=39323 . 2021-10-01.
  2. Web site: Seo . Bo-hyeok . 영웅칭호 (英雄稱號) . Hero Awards . 2023-05-26 . . ko.
  3. Web site: Hero of Labour of the Korean Democratic People's Republic Gold Star Medal. Medals of the World . 3 March 2012 . 29 November 2021 .
  4. Book: Album: Revolutionary Activities of Comrade Kim Il Sung. 1970. Foreign Languages Publishing House. Pyongyang. 176847360.
  5. Web site: Mothers Awarded Labor Hero Title in DPRK . KCNA . . 13 November 2021 . 16 November 2021 .
  6. Web site: Former DPRK Vice Premier Kim Rak Hui Dies (updated on 20 February) . North Korea Leadership Watch . 20 February 2013 . 31 May 2018 .
  7. Web site: Chests Full of Brass: A DPRK Political History in Orders, Medals, Prizes, and Titles . Weiser . Martin . Sino-NK . 8 January 2016 . 16 April 2016 .
  8. Web site: Col. Gen. Ri Pyong Sam . North Korea Leadership Watch . 5 May 2014.
  9. Web site: Our Manager . . 23 April 2013 . 16 May 2016 .
  10. Web site: State Commendations Awarded to Crewmen . . KCNA . September 2016 . 26 September 2016 . https://web.archive.org/web/20160926190257/http://www.naenara.com.kp/en/news/news_view.php?0+97235 .
  11. Web site: Sportspersons full of confidence . . KCNA . 8 January 2019 . 19 February 2019 .
  12. Web site: Enterprising Manageress . . 18 October 2013 . 16 May 2016 .
  13. Web site: Mansudae Art Studio Back in the Limelight . Kim So Yeol . . 19 August 2011 . 16 May 2016 .
  14. Choe Kwang-ho. May 2015. Renowned Football Coach. Democratic People's Republic of Korea. 713. 32–33. 1727-9208.
  15. Won Kyong-ryong. January 2015. Admirable Woman Scientist. Democratic People's Republic of Korea. 709. 32. 1727-9208.
  16. Kang Su-yong. February 2015. Hero Weaver. Democratic People's Republic of Korea. 710. 31–32. 1727-9208.
  17. Web site: Talented Artists of DPRK . . 20 May 2014 . 16 May 2016 .
  18. Web site: Veteran Film Director Om Kil Son . . 20 May 2014 . 16 May 2016 .
  19. Web site: Supreme Leader Kim Jong Un Sends Wreath to Bier of Pak Jong Ju . KCNA . oananews.org . 3 October 2018 . 7 October 2018 .
  20. Kim Thae-hyon. January 2015. To Promote People's Health. Democratic People's Republic of Korea. 709. 28. 1727-9208.
  21. Kim Thae-hyon. January 2014. Who Will Be Next Hero? : Hero Kangso Senior Middle School. Democratic People's Republic of Korea. 697. 28. 1727-9208.
  22. Web site: Famous Artist of Figure Picture . . 21 August 2013 . 16 May 2016 .
  23. Web site: Virologist Ri Sung Ik . . 16 March 2013 . 16 May 2016 .
  24. Kim Son-gyong. May 2015. Sculptor Family. Democratic People's Republic of Korea. 713. 26–27. 1727-9208.
  25. Web site: Kim Jong Un sends birthday spread to anti-Japanese war veteran . . 2021-03-19 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20210910170522/http://www.pyongyangtimes.com.kp/?bbs=37580 . 2021-09-10.
  26. Web site: Supreme Leader Kim Jong Un Sends Wreath to Bier of Jin Pong Jun. KCNA . . 25 February 2019 . 28 February 2019 .
  27. Web site: Rodong Sinmun. 2021-04-27. rodong.rep.kp.
  28. Web site: Rodong Sinmun. 2021-04-27. rodong.rep.kp.
  29. Book: Ri, Ok Gyong. Korean Film Art - 조선의 영화예술. Korean Film Export & Import Corporation(조선영화수출입사). 2018. Pyongyang, Democratic People's Republic of Korea. 22–285.
  30. http://www.uriminzokkiri.com/index.php?ptype=ccentv&mtype=view&no=54034#pos. ko:[록화보도] 7월28일 20시보도. Korean Central Television. ko. 29 July 2021. 16 February 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20220216194312/http://www.uriminzokkiri.com/index.php?ptype=ccentv&mtype=view&no=54034#pos. dead.
  31. Book: Lankov, Andreĭ Nikolaevich . From Stalin to Kim Il Sung: The Formation of North Korea, 1945-1960 . 2002 . Rutgers University Press . 978-0-8135-3117-5 . 25 . en.
  32. Web site: What "Pulgungi" No. 1 Teaches Us. 2021-07-30. Rodong Sinmun.
  33. http://www.uriminzokkiri.com/index.php?ptype=ccentv&mtype=view&no=54251#pos. ko:8월20일 20시보도. 2021-08-20. Korean Central Television. ko. 21 August 2021. 21 August 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210821041136/http://www.uriminzokkiri.com/index.php?ptype=ccentv&mtype=view&no=54251#pos. dead. Opening section
  34. Web site: ko:북한지역정보넷. http://www.cybernk.net/infoText/InfoHumanDetail.aspx?mc=EJ1102&hid=EJ110200227483&rightType=3&direct=1&direct=1. 2021-10-28. www.cybernk.net.
  35. Web site: ko:북한지역정보넷. http://www.cybernk.net/infoText/InfoHumanDetail.aspx?mc=EJ0902&hid=EJ090200227877&rightType=3&direct=1&direct=1. 2021-10-28. www.cybernk.net.
  36. Web site: ko:북한지역정보넷. http://www.cybernk.net/infoText/InfoHumanDetail.aspx?mc=EJ1102&hid=EJ110200228543&rightType=3&direct=1&direct=1. 2021-10-28. www.cybernk.net.
  37. Web site: ko:북한지역정보넷. http://www.cybernk.net/infoText/InfoHumanDetail.aspx?mc=EJ0902&hid=EJ090200227921&rightType=3&direct=1&direct=1. 2021-10-28. www.cybernk.net.
  38. Web site: ko:북한지역정보넷. http://www.cybernk.net/infoText/InfoHumanDetail.aspx?mc=EJ1002&hid=EJ100200227987&rightType=3&direct=1&direct=1. 2021-10-28. www.cybernk.net.
  39. Web site: ko:북한지역정보넷. http://www.cybernk.net/infoText/InfoHumanDetail.aspx?mc=EJ1001&hid=EJ100100228385&rightType=3&direct=1&direct=1. 2021-10-28. www.cybernk.net.
  40. Web site: ko:북한지역정보넷. http://www.cybernk.net/infoText/InfoHumanDetail.aspx?mc=EJ1001&hid=EJ100100229311&rightType=3&direct=1&direct=1. 2021-10-28. www.cybernk.net.
  41. Web site: ko:북한지역정보넷. http://www.cybernk.net/infoText/InfoHumanDetail.aspx?mc=EJ0901&hid=EJ090100228759&rightType=3&direct=1&direct=1. 2021-10-28. www.cybernk.net.
  42. Web site: ko:북한지역정보넷. http://www.cybernk.net/infoText/InfoHumanDetail.aspx?mc=EJ0902&hid=EJ090200229393&rightType=3&direct=1&direct=1. 2021-10-28. www.cybernk.net.
  43. Web site: ko:조선중앙통신 기사 공로있는 방송일군들에게 조선민주주의인민공화국 로력영웅칭호 수여 . http://kcna.kp/kp/article/q/12ad9bc58d3f453e9d6814ffce538ca4.kcmsf . 2022-09-07 . Korean Central News Agency.