Flag of North Korea
countryThe flag of North Korea was adopted on September 8, 1948. Horizontal bands with fimbriations and a red star in a white disc. It uses 3 colours: red, white and blue. The official proportions are 1:2.
Basic Flag Information
| Flag Name | Flag of North Korea |
|---|---|
| Country | North Korea |
| Official Country Name | Democratic People's Republic of Korea |
| Capital | Pyongyang |
| Continent | Asia |
| Region | Eastern Asia |
| ISO Country Code | KP / PRK |
| Internet Domain | .kp |
| Calling Code | +850 |
| Currency | North Korean won (KPW) |
| National Language(s) | Korean |
| Demonym | North Korean |
| Area | 120,538 km² |
| Population | 26 million (2025 est.) |
Flag Specifications
| Official Flag Name | Flag of North Korea |
|---|---|
| Adopted On | September 8, 1948 |
| First Used | 1948 |
| Current Version Adopted | September 8, 1948 |
| Flag Proportion | 1:2 |
| Flag Shape | Rectangle |
| Number of Colors | 3 |
| Main Colors | Red, White, Blue |
| Design Type | Horizontal bands with fimbriations and a red star in a white disc |
| Official Status | Official National Flag |
| Government Authority | Government of North Korea |
Flag Color Information
| Color | Appearance | HEX Code | RGB | CMYK |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Red | #ED1C27 | 237, 28, 39 | 0, 88, 84, 7 | |
| White | #FFFFFF | 255, 255, 255 | 0, 0, 0, 0 | |
| Blue | #024FA2 | 2, 79, 162 | 99, 51, 0, 36 |
Flag Design and Symbols
| Red colour | Represents the revolutionary traditions |
|---|---|
| White colour | Represents purity and the disc |
| Blue colour | Represents sovereignty, peace and friendship |
| Red star | The communist revolution |
| White disc | Drawn from the yin-yang of the traditional Korean flag |
Flag History
| Year / Period | Event |
|---|---|
| 1948 | The design was first used |
| 1948-09-08 | The current flag was officially adopted |
| Present | The flag remains in official use |
| Present | The flag remains in official use |
Flag Dimensions and Construction
| Official Ratio | 1:2 |
|---|---|
| Width | 1 units (hoist) |
| Length | 2 units (fly) |
North Korea Flag Usage
| Government Buildings | Yes |
|---|---|
| Schools | Yes |
| Civil Use | Yes |
| Official Ceremonies | Yes |
| Sports Events | Yes |
| National Holidays | Yes |
| Military | Yes |
| Naval Use | Yes |
| Embassies | Yes |
| International Events | Yes |
Other Official Flags of North Korea
| Flag Type | Use | Link |
|---|---|---|
| National Flag | National representation | View flag |
| Civil Flag | Used by civilians | View flag |
| State Flag | Used by government | View flag |
| War Flag | Used during military operations | View flag |
| Naval Ensign | Used by the navy | View flag |
| Air Force Flag | Used by the air force | View flag |
| Presidential Standard | Used by the head of state | View flag |
| Royal Standard | Used by the monarch | View flag |
| Historical Flag | Previous national flag | View flag |
Quick Facts About the Flag
| Flag Age | 78 years old as of 2026 |
|---|---|
| Adoption Date | September 8, 1948 |
| Oldest Version | 1948 |
| Most Common Color | Red |
| Similar Flags | Eswatini |
| Unique Feature | Horizontal bands with fimbriations and a red star in a white disc |
Other horizontal bands with a central emblem flags
See all
Facts about the Flag of North Korea
- The red star in a white disc sits toward the hoist rather than at the centre of the flag.
- The design replaced the traditional taegukgi in 1948, which is now used only by South Korea.
- The flag of North Korea was officially adopted on September 8, 1948.
- The flag in its present form is 78 years old as of 2026.
- Design type: Horizontal bands with fimbriations and a red star in a white disc.
- The official proportions are 1:2. It shares that ratio with 54 national flags.
- The flag uses 3 colours: red, white and blue.
- The red on the flag stands for the revolutionary traditions.
- The white on the flag stands for purity and the disc.
- The blue on the flag stands for sovereignty, peace and friendship.
- Red star: The communist revolution.
- White disc: Drawn from the yin-yang of the traditional Korean flag.
- The design belongs to the "Horizontal bands with a central emblem" family, shared with 3 other flags in this reference.
- Flags most often confused with it: Eswatini.
- North Korea became independent on 15 August 1945 from Japan.
- Korea was liberated from Japanese rule in 1945 and the Democratic People's Republic was founded on 9 September 1948.
- Football and taekwondo are the most prominent sports.
- The national animal is the Chollima, a mythical winged horse, with the Siberian tiger as national animal.
Frequently Asked Questions about the Flag of North Korea
When was the flag of North Korea adopted?
The flag of North Korea was officially adopted on September 8, 1948.
What do the colours of the flag of North Korea mean?
Red for the revolutionary traditions, white for purity and the disc and blue for sovereignty, peace and friendship.
When did North Korea gain independence?
North Korea became independent on 15 August 1945 from Japan. Korea was liberated from Japanese rule in 1945 and the Democratic People's Republic was founded on 9 September 1948.
What is the national sport of North Korea?
Football and taekwondo are the most prominent sports.
What do the symbols on the flag of North Korea represent?
Red star — The communist revolution. White disc — Drawn from the yin-yang of the traditional Korean flag.
What are the proportions of the flag of North Korea?
The official ratio is 1:2, which makes the flag rectangular. It shares those proportions with 54 national flags.
What is the national anthem of North Korea?
The national anthem is "Aegukka".
When is the national day of North Korea?
It falls on 9 September, Day of the Foundation of the Republic, and the flag is flown across the country.
What is the national animal of North Korea?
The national animal is the Chollima, a mythical winged horse, with the Siberian tiger as national animal.
What is the capital of North Korea?
The capital is Pyongyang. The currency is the North Korean won (KPW) and the language spoken is Korean.