North Korean Army Wiki

The Korean People's Army: A Comprehensive Overview

Introduction

The Korean People's Army (KPA) is the armed force of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (North Korea). It is the fifth-largest standing army in the world and one of the most heavily militarized forces. The KPA is responsible for defending North Korea from external threats, maintaining internal security, and supporting the country's political goals.

History

The KPA was founded in 1948 after the division of Korea. The army was initially equipped with Soviet weapons and trained by Soviet advisors. During the Korean War, the KPA fought against the United Nations forces led by the United States. After the war, the KPA was rebuilt and modernized.

Structure

The KPA is a highly centralized force. The Supreme Commander of the KPA is the leader of North Korea. The KPA is divided into four branches: the Army, the Navy, the Air Force, and the Strategic Rocket Forces. The Army is the largest branch of the KPA, followed by the Navy, the Air Force, and the Strategic Rocket Forces.

Equipment

The KPA is equipped with a wide range of weapons and equipment. The army is equipped with tanks, artillery, and anti-aircraft weapons. The navy is equipped with frigates, destroyers, and submarines. The air force is equipped with fighter jets, bombers, and transport aircraft. The Strategic Rocket Forces are equipped with intercontinental ballistic missiles.

Training

The KPA is well-trained and disciplined. Conscription is mandatory for all male citizens between the ages of 18 and 28. The KPA also has a large number of reserve forces.

Mission

The mission of the KPA is to defend North Korea from external threats, maintain internal security, and support the country's political goals. The KPA has been used to suppress internal dissent and to support North Korea's nuclear and missile programs.

Assessment

The KPA is a powerful and well-trained force. However, it is not clear how well the KPA would perform in a modern war. The KPA's equipment is outdated and the army has not fought a major war in over 60 years. Additionally, the KPA's morale may be low due to the country's economic problems and political repression.