Chasu

North Korean ch'asu insignia

Ch'asu (차수, hanja 次帅) is a superior military rank of North Korea, often translated as vice-marshal. The rank is senior to that of daejang (general) and junior to that of wonsu (marshal). The rank is seldom bestowed upon the professional military, and appears to be rather a combined political-military position.

The insignia for a chasu is superimposing a North Korean national crest upon a marshal’s insignia star in the shoulder epaulette. Formerly, insignia for such rank holders was the emblem of North Korea until the present insignia was released in 1985.

The rank is often transliterated as ch'asu, showing the difference with the Korean word for embroidery, usually transliterated as chasu (wikt:자수).

Partial list of North Korean vice marshals

• Choe Yong Gon (1902-1972) Commander in chief of the North Korean troops 1948 through 1953, then Minister of National Defense (the post now known as the Minister of the People's Armed Forces). Promoted to vice marshal - 1953.
• Kim Kwang-jin (1927-1997) Former member of the Party Central Military Commission and former First Vice-Minister of the People's Armed Forces. Decorations included two orders of Kim Il Sung and Hero of the DPRK. Promoted to vice marshal - 1992.
• Paek Hak-rim (b. 1918) Born Manchuria - 1918. Served with Chinese Communist Route Armies during 1930s-early 1940s. Promoted to vice marshal - 1992.
• Kim Ik-hyon (b.unknown) Promoted to vice marshal - 1992.
• Ri Ul-sol (b. 1921) Born Songjin, North Hamgyong Province - 1921. promoted to major general - 1957, lieutenant general - 1962, colonel general - 1972, general - 1985, vice marshal - April 1992 and marshal of the KPA - October 1995.
• Ri Tu-ik (1921-2002) Born in Jilin Province. Promoted to lieutenant general - 1963, general - 1985, vice marshal - April 1992.
• Cho Myong-rok (1924-2010) Born Manchuria - 1924. After returning from advance pilot training in Soviet Union, became People's Air Force commander - 1977. Promoted to general - 1992 and to vice marshal - October 1995.
• Kim Yong-chun (b. 1922) Promoted to general - 1992, vice marshal - October 1995.
• Li Ha-il (b.unknown) Promoted to general - 1992. promoted to vice marshal - October 1995.
• Kim Il-chol (b. 1928) Born Pyongyang - 1928. Promoted to vice admiral and appointed Commander of the People's Navy late 1982. Promoted to admiral - 1985, fleet admiral - 1992, and vice marshal - 1997 (the first to be promoted from the Korean People's Navy). Became Minister of the People's Armed Forces until retiring in 2008.
• Chon Jae-son (b.unknown) Commander of the First Army Corps. Promoted to general - 1992 and to vice marshal - 1997.
• Pak Ki-so (1929-2010) Promoted to colonel general - 1989, to general - 1992 and vice marshal - 1997.
• Ri Yong-mu (b. 1925) Promoted to lieutenant general - 1964, colonel general - 1973, vice marshal - September 1998.
• Kim Ryong-yon (b. 1916) Served with Chinese Communist Route Armies in the 1930s and 1940s. Promoted to lieutenant general - 1968, promoted to colonel general - 1986, to general 1990 and to vice marshal - 1998.
• Ri Yong-ho (b. 1942) Born in Tongchon County, Kangwon Province. Promoted to lieutenant general - 2002, vice marshal - September 2010. Relieved of duties and retired July 2012.
• Choe Ryong-hae (b. 1950) Born in Sinchon County, South Hwanghae Province. Promoted to general in September 2010, vice marshal - April 2012 and demoted to general in December 2012, rank reinstated February 2013.
• Kim Jong-gak (b. 1941) Born in South Phyongan Province and joined the Korean People's Army in August 1959. Promoted to general in April 2002 and vice marshal - February 2012.
• Hyon Yong-chol (b.unknown) Promoted to general in September 2010, vice marshal - July 2012 and demoted to general in November 2012.