Original Items: Only One Set Available. The award system of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (North Korea) was initially created less than one month after the foundation of the Republic. During the years of Japanese occupation of Korea, many of the future leaders fled to the Soviet Union. During World War II many if not close to all party leaders and Korean People's Army commanders served in the Soviet Army and as such adopted many of the Soviet awards criteria for their own. During the late 1940s and until the Sino-Soviet Split in late 1958, orders and titles were made in the Soviet Money Mints in Moscow or Leningrad. Soviet made awards were modeled after Soviet orders and made of sterling silver. Initially the orders were attached to clothing with a screw-plate, but after Soviet production stopped, production was moved to North Korea. The screwback was replaced with a pin and the silver content was replaced with cheap tin. With the exception of a few examples of modern orders, Soviet and Czech KPA awards are the most sought after in current militaria markets.

The Badges In This Grouping:
- Order of the National Flag 2nd Class: The 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.

It is the oldest order in the country, having been established in 1948, just six weeks after the North Korean state was founded.

The order is awarded to both individuals and organizations, for political, cultural or economic work. The order, which comes in three classes, is automatically conferred upon recipients of the titles of Hero of the Republic and Hero of Labour and various "People's" honorary titles. The Order of the National Flag is also awarded to recipients of the Order of Freedom and Independence and Order of Soldier's Honor in the appropriate class. Recipients are entitled to benefits such as a salary or free public transport.

Domestic recipients include both leaders Kim Il Sung and Kim Jong Il and other notables. Foreign recipients include politicians such as Fidel Castro, Hosni Mubarak and Siad Barre.

It can be awarded to individuals and to organizations or workplaces for achievements in military service or political, cultural, or economic work. It is also awarded to officers of the Workers' Party of Korea for longstanding service (25 years for the first class, 20 years for the second class and 15 years for the third class).

Those who are awarded the title of Hero of the Republic or Hero of Labour are always awarded with the Order of the National Flag as well, as are laureates of "People's" honorary titles. Recipients of the Order of Freedom and Independence receive the Order of the National Flag of the same class, but Order of Soldier's Honor recipients receive the Order of the National Flag in a lower class. Recipients have the right to use public transport free of charge. Disabled and retired recipients receive an annual salary along with the order.

- Soldier's Medal of Honor 2nd Class: The Soldier's Medal of Honour was instituted on July 1, 1950. The order is a 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. North Korea granted a 50% pension to any soldier permanently disabled in an action that resulted in the soldier being awarded the order.

According to North Korean propaganda, the order was initiated by Kim Il Sung: "On June 28, Juche 39 (1950), Kim Il Sung told an official that he was going to award the Seoul unit title to those that participated in the Seoul liberation operation, adding citations also should be conferred on meritorious soldiers." According to these claims, later that day, he asked an artist to create the design of the order. The following day, Kim "suggesting inscribing letters 'For the fatherland' and a soldier with rifle in hands in the order and decorating its frame with red-color star." He approved the revised design the following day and "personally named it Order of Soldier's Honor."

During the Korean War, 7,972 Koreans and 530 Chinese received the award in its first class and 112,170 Koreans and 6,349 Chinese in its second class.

Both are offered in wonderful condition but are not without finish loss. Both have functional pin back, meaning they are not Soviet made.

Comes more than ready for further research and display.