 | This article needs to be updated. The reason given is: the unit's status after the war is not covered. (October 2026) |
| I Corps | |
|---|---|
| Active | 1950–present |
| Country | North Korea |
| Branch | Army |
| Type | Infantry |
| Part of | Korean People's Army |
| Garrison/HQ | Kumgang County, Kangwon Province |
| Engagements | Korean War |
| Commanders | |
| Lieutenant general | An Yong Hwan |
I Corps (Korean: 제 1군단) is a corps of the Korean People's Army Ground Force. It is headquartered at Kumgang County but was formerly headquartered in Hoeyang County.
The Corps was activated in 1950 with a strength of 5,000 men. It took command of the North Korean divisions on the eastern sector, in the Seoul area, with the NK II Corps on its flank. It reportedly controlled the 1st, 3rd, 4th, 6th, 13th Divisions in the initial attack.
It advanced during the early phase of the Korean War, then fought in the Battle of Pusan Perimeter.
Its headquarters is now reported as Kumgang County, Kangwon Province.
In April 2026, during the Hwasong-11D missile test, lieutenant general An Yong Hwan was mentioned as the commander of the I Corps.
According to United States Far East Command Headquarters intelligence section as of 31 July 1952 a Korean People's Army Corps was commanded by a lieutenant general. The commanding general had an aide and four officers reporting directly to him. The Chief of Staff headed the corps staff section, while the corps political commander, artillery commander and rear services commander directed the operations of their respective sections. Additionally, the corps headquarters had direct command of various combat, combat support and combat service supports battalions and regiments.
The corps chief of staff directed the staff section of the corps headquarters. The section was made up of:
The corps artillery section, led the corps artillery commander was also divided up into different parts:
The corps political commander, responsible for political education and loyalty had five different parts.
The rear services commander had largest section as well as the staff officer with operational units compromising part of it.
These independent assets were:
As of 31 July 1952, the U.S Far East Command reported the composition of I Corps units as follows:
Among the spectators were Kim Jong Sik, member of the Central Military Commission of the WPK and first vice department director of the WPK Central Committee, Full General Jang Chang Ha, general director of the Missile Administration, Lieut. General An Yong Hwan, commander of the 1st Corps of the Korean People's Army, Lieut. General Ju Song Nam, commander of the 2nd Corps of the KPA, Lieut. General Jong Myong Nam, commander of the 4th Corps of the KPA, and Lieut. General Ri Jong Guk, commander of the 5th Corps of the KPA.
