WHero of Labor is the highest title of honor of North Korea and the highest decoration of the country overall. The award was probably scheduled for establishment in the summer of 1950, but the Korean War postponed these plans. When the war had entered a phase of stalemate along the 38th parallel, the government had time to officially launch the decoration, originally under the name Korea Hero of Labor. 16 people were decorated Labor Heroes during the war and more since then. The decoration is based on its Soviet equivalent, Hero of Socialist Labour.
WHero of the Republic is a North Korean honorific title. It was created on 30 June 1950 as Hero of the Korean People's Republic (조선인민공화국영웅). It was the first title created in the country. Despite having been created just five days after the Korean War broke out, the connection seems incidental. 533 people were awarded Hero of the Republic during the war, and many more since then.
WThe Medal for the Liberation of Korea, a.k.a. Korea 15.8.1945, was a medal awarded by the Democratic People's Republic of Korea.
WThe National Reunification Prize is an award of North Korea, bestowed by the Presidium of the Supreme People's Assembly upon people who have contributed to the reunification of Korea. The award was instituted in 1990.
WOrder of Admiral Ri Sun-sin is an award named for famous Korean naval leader Yi Sun-sin. It was given to Korean People's Navy personnel of North Korea at least during the Korean War. There are two grades of the award. Order of Admiral Ri Sun-sin First Class, and Order of Admiral Ri Sun-sin Second Class.
WThe Order of Freedom and Independence is one of the highest North Korean orders. It is divided into two classes: 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. The order is awarded with the Order of the National Flag of the same rank.
WThe Order of Kim Il-sung is the highest order of North Korea, along with the Order of Kim Jong-il, and only second to one honorary title, the Hero of Labour.
WThe Order of Kim Jong-il is a North Korean order named after Kim Jong-il, the former leader of North Korea.
WThe Order of the National Flag is the second highest order of North Korea, after the Order of Kim Il-sung and the Order of Kim Jong-il.
WThe Soldier's Medal of Honour was created on July 1, 1950. The order is an military award of North Korea given to soldiers and guerrillas for combat bravery or leadership of troops in battle. Designed along the lines of and awarded with the criteria as the same level as the Soviet Order of the Patriotic War. The DPRK granted a 50% pension to any soldier permanently disabled in an action that result in the soldier being awarded the order.