{"product_id":"1950s-dprk-korean-people-s-army-exemplary-soldier-badge-rare-early-original-issue","title":"1950s DPRK Korean People’s Army “Exemplary Soldier” Badge – Rare Original Issue","description":"\u003cp\u003eOriginal Item – Only One Available. A rare early Korean People’s Army Exemplary Soldier Badge, an original 1950s distinction from the formative years of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea and the Korean War period. The Korean designation is unusually important to the attribution: 모범 means exemplary or worthy of emulation, 군인 means soldier or serviceman, and 표 denotes a badge or distinguishing mark, making “Exemplary Soldier Badge” the most natural English rendering. This was not an anniversary souvenir but recognition insignia associated with servicemen singled out as examples within the military. \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe badge belongs unmistakably to the visual language of the early KPA. A large red-enameled five-pointed star dominates the center, backed by military equipment and framed by green-enameled laurel branches, with additional red enamel completing the lower composition. Across the base is the full raised inscription “모범군인표,” directly identifying the distinction rather than relying on later collector attribution. The substantial silvered-metal construction, deeply modeled relief, separately defined central star and enamel work give it the heavy, purposeful character associated with early North Korean military insignia. The reverse retains its simple period pin attachment and shows honest age, oxidation and wear to the silvered finish.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFor the specialist, the importance of this piece lies less in decorative complexity than in what it represents: an individual recognition badge from the first generation of the Korean People’s Army, used during the same period in which the DPRK’s military award system was taking shape under wartime conditions. Early KPA insignia with an explicit Korean service designation are considerably more compelling than the later commemorative and friendship pins that dominate the market, and the exact term 모범군인표 is directly documented among surviving Korean War artifacts in North Korea’s principal war museum. A strong and historically meaningful example for an advanced collection of Korean War, DPRK, Korean People’s Army or early socialist military insignia.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"North Korea","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":52945806197048,"sku":null,"price":175.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0799\/1256\/7096\/files\/IMG_2614.jpg?v=1789222766","url":"https:\/\/khanmilitaria.com\/products\/1950s-dprk-korean-people-s-army-exemplary-soldier-badge-rare-early-original-issue","provider":"KhanMilitaria","version":"1.0","type":"link"}