Order of Kim Il Sung

The Order of Kim Il Sung (Korean: 김일성훈장) 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.

The order, named after the country's first leader Kim Il Sung, was instituted in 1972 during a reform of the North Korean honors system. Its history is not fully known, but the order was initially round, being changed to a five-pointed star design later, and the picture of Kim Il Sung updated in 2012.

Recipients can be individuals or organizations, who have contributed to the cause of Juche. It is traditionally awarded on 15 April, the Day of the Sun, the birthday of Kim Il Sung. Relatively few are awarded, totaling at least 600, to highlight the high symbolic status of the order. Recipients include Kim Jong Il, who received it four times. He was supposed to be the recipient of the first award in 1972, but according to North Korean sources, he initially refused.