Hero Of The Republic.

[DutchBoy]

This is the Hero of the DPRK

(On eBay right now for $4,000)

[Taz]

The title Hero of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea is an honourary title that is presented by North Korea to their citizens. The hero title, created in the early 1950's, it is awarded in two grades: Hero of the Republic and Hero of Labour. The title was influenced by the Soviet titles Hero of the Soviet Union and Hero of Socialist Labour. These were the highest awards presented by North Korea until the creation of the Order of Kim Il Sung.

The Hero of the Republic decoration, Kongchuanghuk Yongung, is awarded for performing a heroic deed in an armed conflict. This makes the North Korean hero title the only hero title to be presented only in battle, the other hero titles can be awarded during peace time. When receiving this title, the person also receives the First Class level of the Order of the National Flag and has a statue of them built in their home town. This title was created on 30 June 1950.

The Hero of Labour decoration, Loyok Yongung, is awarded for efficiency and merit performed in the labor force. Created on July 17, 1951, this title is also presented with the First Class level of the Order of the National Flag, but does not permit a statue to be built in their home town.

Eddie

[Kjetil Kvist]

How many types of this medal is there?

I have seen types with 9 and 11 letters in an arch on the back, as well as 2 additional letters in a line. I have seen numbered, and not numbered. What was the practice on this medal?

Have anyone seen fakes?

[Taz]

Hi Kjetil, welcome :)

At least 2 types and 4 variations that i've seen alone and probably more.
Early Orders were Soviet made and there are thin and thick screwposts on the suspension plus the ones you named.
In how much detail the new North Korean book goes into this award and i'ts variations and types I'm not sure because I don't have a copy, maybe someone who has can shed a bit of light onto this question?

Regards Eddie

[Nota Bene]

Hi Kjetil,

Welcome to the forum!

I have seen a fake, but the quality was so bad, it would only fool a complete novice.

Alexei

[claretbaron]

order of the hero. i am only find this one.

[GabrielMk3]

Pyongyang, October 27 (KCNA) -- The title of DPRK hero was awarded to Kim Kum Su and Han Pyong Nam, people's security men of the Kangwon Provincial People's Security Bureau, who laid down their lives without hesitation to save their revolutionary comrades.
They had detected and cleared a lot of explosives for years, contributing to the protection of lives and properties of people.
On Oct. 20 when they were working to defuse a time-bomb dropped by the U.S. imperialist aggressors during the Korean War, it went off all of a sudden. They died heroic deaths after saving their comrades at that critical moment.
Supreme Commander Kim Jong Un put them forward as the most laudable men trained by the Workers' Party of Korea and models of the security officers in the era of Songun. He made sure that the shining end of the heroes and their worthwhile lives were always remembered by the people and showed the bereaved families profound loving care and solicitude to be conveyed down through generations.
An awarding ceremony was held in Wonsan City on Oct. 27. -0-

[CtahhR]

Here is Huang Jiguang's set from the Sichuan Museum proving that foreigners were not only awarded Hero Of Labour.

Huang Jiguang (1930/1-16th October 1952) from Sichuan Province joined the People's Volunteers Army in March 1951 to fight against the United Nations forces on the Korean peninsula. At the battle of Triangle Hill in mid-October 1952, Huang Jiguang's unit attacked an enemy bunker. After throwing his hand grenade, Huang used his own body to smother the machine gun in the bunker, blocking the machinegun fire at the cost his own life. As a result of his actions, the People's Volunteers Army soldiers overran the position and reportedly annihilated two battalions of the enemy.

His pair of Hero Of The Republic awards arrived in his home province in June 1953. As there are no known photographs of Huang and he received the awards after his death a great deal of "artists' impressions" have sprung up over the years.

Maybe foreigners can get the Hero Of The Republic if their action sacrifices their own life?

[CtahhR]

Whilst searching the internet for information on another as yet unposted DPRK Medal I found this story.

This unidentified 22 year old traffic officer was awarded the "Hero Of The Republic" on 9th May 2013 for protecting an unidentified "senior revolutionary figure". I don't know if this means stopping an assassin or just stopping someone defacing an image but she's certain been noticed.

On another point I believe the star in post #1 was finally sold only in late 2012 for far less than half the price asked for.

[CtahhR]

Here is a Naval Hero Of The Republic, he participated in the capture of the USS Pueblo on 23rd January 1968. It is not known if it was that action that saw him being awarded the title or something else.

Also pictured are some of the US crew of the USS Pueblo soon after being captured.

No doubt the capture of the USS Pueblo evoked a decree with a long list of awards to Korean naval personnel.