Taewonsu

Taewonsu is the highest possible military rank of North Korea and is intended to be an honorific title for Kim Il Sung, Kim Jong Il and Kim Jong Un. It is often confused with Marshal of the Republic and Marshal of the Korean People's Army, but ranks above both. The rank is senior to that of Wonsu. The title also exists in Chinese military history as dàyuánshuài, and was briefly taken by Sun Yat-sen.

History

The rank of taewonsu was created by a joint decision of the Central Committee and Central Military Commission of the Workers' Party of Korea, the National Defence Commission and the Central People's Committee in April 1992 to honor Kim Il-sung on his 80th birthday. In February 2012, his son and successor Kim Jong-il was awarded the title posthumously on the occasion of his official 70th birthday.
The insignia for taewonsu is similar to wonsu but with an added crest worn beneath the shoulder board's large marshal star, below the Emblem of North Korea. The rank insignia is based on the rank of Generalissimo of the Soviet Union.