05-16-2011, 02:02 AM
The DPRK order of precedence for wearing has changed. Now the left side of uniform is for "Merit" awards (such as Hero Star, Orders Kim Il-Sung, National Flag, Labour, etc., Medals "For Military Merits", "For Merits", etc.) and the right side is for commemorative awards only (Commemorative Order "Foundation Of The Korean People's Army", Commemorative Medal "Military Parade" etc.). I believe the Commemorative Orders are ranked in creation date with the Commemorative Medals below them also in creation date. A long standing military officer will have both sides covered but the commonly seen in the press, young soldiers usually just have a Commemorative Medal on the right chest. Hopefully this helps you all with recognition of DPRK awards as some of those uniforms are covered on both sides. Also if the left hand side is full the "overflow" of awards are placed under their Commemorative awards, so the Order Of The National Flag 3rd Class can often be found under the Commemorative Orders.
