Order of Freedom and Independence explained

Order of Freedom and Independence 자유독립훈장 (自由獨立勳章)
Presenter:	The Democratic People's Republic of Korea
Country:	North Korea
Type:	Order
Awarded For:	Military achievements
Campaign:	Korean War
Status:	Active
Motto:	"조국을 위하여" (For the Fatherland)^[1]
Total Awarded:	227 (First Class) 7746 (Second Class)
Higher:	Order of the National Flag
Related:	Order of the National Flag

Hangul:	자유독립훈장^[2]
Hanja:	自由獨立勳章
Rr:	Jayu Dongnip Hunjang
Mr:	Chayu Tongnip Hunchang
Context:	north

The Order of Freedom and Independence 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.^[3] 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.^[4]

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

Recipients

During the Korean War, the order, first class, was received by 95 Koreans and 126 Chinese people and second class by 3,043 Koreans and 4,703 Chinese recipients.^[2]

• Song and Dance Ensemble of the Korean People's Army, first class^[6]
• Kim Hyong Gwon, first class^[7]
• Ri Jong-ok, first class^[8]
• Pak Song-chol, first class^[9]
• Jo Myong-rok, first class^[10]
• Kim Jong-il, first class (twice)^[11]

See also

• Orders, decorations, and medals of North Korea

External links

• ОРДЕН СВОБОДЫ И НЕЗАВИСИМОСТИ [Order of Freedom and Independence<nowiki>]] in pictures

Notes and References

1. Web site: Medal-Medaille, Orders, decorations and medals of the world for sale online . medal-medaille.com . 11 October 2015 .
2. 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 .
3. Book: Mała Encyklopedia Wojskowa. II. Warsaw. 1970. Wyd-wo Ministerstwa Obrony Narodowej. 644013103. Polish.
4. Book: Sainty, Guy Stair. World orders of knighthood and merit. 2. 17 August 2006. Burke's Peerage & Gentry. 978-0-9711966-7-4. 1281.
5. Web site: ru:НАГРАДЫ КНДР. ОРДЕН СВОБОДЫ И НЕЗАВИСИМОСТИ. . wawards.narod.ru . 11 October 2015 . http://wawards.narod.ru/azia/kn/1/medal.html . Russian.
6. Web site: 50th anniversary of KPA song and dance ensemble marked . KCNA . 14 March 1997 . 11 October 2015 . 12 October 2014 . https://web.archive.org/web/20141012034457/http://www.kcna.co.jp/item/1997/9703/news3/14.htm .
7. Web site: Kim Jong Il inspects Kim Hyong Gwon Military Academy of Communications Men . KCNA . 17 November 1998 . 11 October 2015 . 12 October 2014. https://web.archive.org/web/20141012070034/http://www.kcna.co.jp/item/1998/9811/news11/17.htm.
8. Web site: Ri Jong Ok passes away . KCNA . 23 September 1999 . 11 October 2015 . 12 October 2014. https://web.archive.org/web/20141012050801/http://www.kcna.co.jp/item/1999/9909/news09/23.htm.
9. Web site: Pak Song Chol Dies . KCNA . 30 October 2008 . 11 October 2015 . 12 October 2014. https://web.archive.org/web/20141012063907/http://www.kcna.co.jp/item/2008/200810/news30/20081030-07ee.html.
10. Web site: Jo Myong Rok Dies . KCNA . 6 November 2010 . 11 October 2015 . 12 October 2014. https://web.archive.org/web/20141012041854/http://www.kcna.co.jp/item/2010/201011/news06/20101106-13ee.html.
11. Korea Pictorial. Kwon Hyok-chol. 2014. 2. 698. Reverence for the Great Leader. 12. 1727-9208.