Daejang

Daejang / Taejang
Hangul 대장
Hanja 大將
Revised Romanization Daejang
McCune–Reischauer Taejang

Daejang or taejang (Korean: 대장; Hanja: 大將) is a senior military rank of the Korean Peninsula, used by both North and South Korea. It is considered the combined equivalent of a general and admiral in other nations. The rank of daejang is sometimes spelled as taejang, depending on the transliteration system used (taejang in McCune–Reischauer, daejang in official ROK transliteration system).

North Korea

Colonel General rank insignia (North Korea)

Daejang is senior to North Korea's three other general/admiral ranks: sojang (major general/rear admiral), jungjang (lieutenant general/vice admiral), sangjang (colonel general/admiral). North Korean generals and admirals wear one to four stars.

There are also four marshal ranks above this: chasu (vice marshal), wonsu (marshal of the KPA), konghwaguk wonsu (marshal of the DPRK) and dae wonsu (grand marshal).

The insignia for Daejang is based upon the former Soviet Union military rank insignia (before 1973) for Generals of the Army and modern Generals of the Army of Russia, and in the naval versions, the Soviet (before 1974) and Russian (after 1994) rank insignias for Admirals of the Fleet. It is also the highest rank which is effectively held by the professional military, since the higher ranks are normally seen more as combined military-political titles.

South Korea

South Korean daejang insignia

Daejang is senior to South Korea's three other general and admiral ranks: Chunjang (brigadier general / rear admiral (lower half) and formerly commodore and commodore admiral), sojang (major general / rear admiral (upper half) or rear admiral previously) and jungjang (lieutenant general / vice admiral). South Korean generals wear one to four stars as a badge of rank.

The higher rank of wonsu (marshal or fleet admiral) has never been used. Currently, eight (sometimes nine) officers of the Republic of Korea Armed Forces in active service hold the rank of daejang.

See also

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