Founding of the People's Army of North Korea

People's Army of North Korea, Founding of the

April 25

The founding of the People's Army of North Korea (official name: Democratic People's Republic of Korea) in 1932 is marked every year with a national public holiday. The main celebration takes place in the capital city of Pyongyang and includes oratorical meetings, where various officials praise the army's exploits. Public displays can also include parades, gun-salutes, fireworks, choruses, dance displays, and drum-beating.
According to the country's official government news agency (Central Korean News Agency of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea), the year 2007 marked the 75th anniversary of the army's founding. While many sources list February 8, 1948, as the army's official start-date, other sources note that earlier versions of the army launched in the 1930s. The North Korean government apparently observes 1932 as the date of the army's founding. Despite the nation's small size, the People's Army of North Korea rates among the top five largest armies in the world, noted the U.S. Department of State in 2007, with an estimated 1.21 million armed personnel.

CONTACTS:
Permanent Representative of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea to the United Nations
820 Second Ave.
New York, NY 10017
212-972-3105; fax: 212-972-3154
www.korea-dpr.com

Celebration day: Apr 25