I looked it up.

https://worldhistoryedu.com/reasons-why-north-korean-generals-wear-so-many-medals/

One of the reasons for the proliferation of medals is that North Korean generals are often allowed to wear decorations originally awarded to their parents or grandparents. This tradition reflects North Korea’s emphasis on familial loyalty and continuity in service to the state. By displaying these inherited medals, generals symbolically link their achievements to those of their forebears, perpetuating a narrative of multi-generational commitment to the regime and the nation’s ideals.

The roots of North Korea’s extensive medal culture can be traced back to the Korean War (1950–1953), during which many awards were introduced to recognize military valor. As the war concluded and active conflict ceased, the scope of these decorations expanded to include contributions in non-military spheres, blurring the lines between military and civilian achievements.

So think of it kind of like, oh, hereditary titles in an aristocracy or something. It’s a “I’m the grandson of person who was important some time back” sort of thing. The people with lots of medals belong to a family that has been in the “in” crowd for some time.