Flag of South Korea
countryThe flag of South Korea was adopted on October 15, 1997. White field with a taegeuk and four trigrams. It uses 4 colours: white, red, blue and black. The official proportions are 2:3.
Basic Flag Information
| Flag Name | Flag of South Korea |
|---|---|
| Country | South Korea |
| Official Country Name | Republic of Korea |
| Capital | Seoul |
| Continent | Asia |
| Region | Eastern Asia |
| ISO Country Code | KR / KOR |
| Internet Domain | .kr, .한국 |
| Calling Code | +82 |
| Currency | South Korean won (KRW) |
| National Language(s) | Korean |
| Demonym | South Korean |
| Area | 100,210 km² |
| Population | 52 million (2025 est.) |
Flag Specifications
| Official Flag Name | Flag of South Korea |
|---|---|
| Adopted On | October 15, 1997 |
| First Used | 1883 |
| Current Version Adopted | October 15, 1997 |
| Flag Proportion | 2:3 |
| Flag Shape | Rectangle |
| Number of Colors | 4 |
| Main Colors | White, Red, Blue, Black |
| Design Type | White field with a taegeuk and four trigrams |
| Official Status | Official National Flag |
| Government Authority | Government of South Korea |
Flag Color Information
| Color | Appearance | HEX Code | RGB | CMYK |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| White | #FFFFFF | 255, 255, 255 | 0, 0, 0, 0 | |
| Red | #CD2E3A | 205, 46, 58 | 0, 78, 72, 20 | |
| Blue | #0047A0 | 0, 71, 160 | 100, 56, 0, 37 | |
| Black | #000000 | 0, 0, 0 | 0, 0, 0, 100 |
Flag Design and Symbols
| White colour | Represents peace and purity |
|---|---|
| Red colour | Represents the positive cosmic force |
| Blue colour | Represents the negative cosmic force |
| Black colour | Represents the trigrams |
| Taegeuk | The balance of yin and yang, the harmony of opposites |
| Four trigrams | Heaven, fire, water and earth — drawn from the I Ching, along with the four seasons and cardinal directions |
Flag History
| Year / Period | Event |
|---|---|
| 1883 | The design was first used |
| 1997-10-15 | 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 | 2:3 |
|---|---|
| Width | 2 units (hoist) |
| Length | 3 units (fly) |
South 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 South 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 | 29 years old as of 2026 |
|---|---|
| Adoption Date | October 15, 1997 |
| Oldest Version | 1883 |
| Flag Nickname | Taegukgi |
| Most Common Color | White |
| Similar Flags | Afghanistan, Albania, Antarctica |
| Unique Feature | White field with a taegeuk and four trigrams |
Other plain field with a central emblem flags
See all
Facts about the Flag of South Korea
- The central taegeuk symbol represents balance, and the four trigrams in the corners are drawn from the I Ching, standing for heaven, earth, fire and water.
- The design derives from a flag created in 1882 by Bak Yeong-hyo for a diplomatic mission to Japan.
- It is one of very few national flags to carry a symbol from a philosophical text rather than from heraldry or politics.
- The flag of South Korea was officially adopted on October 15, 1997.
- The design is older than its adoption. It was already in use in 1883, 114 years before it was formally made the flag of South Korea.
- The flag in its present form is 29 years old as of 2026.
- Design type: White field with a taegeuk and four trigrams.
- The flag is known as Taegukgi, a name used far more often than the formal "flag of South Korea".
- The official proportions are 2:3. It shares that ratio with 82 national flags.
- The flag uses 4 colours: white, red, blue and black.
- The white on the flag stands for peace and purity.
- The red on the flag stands for the positive cosmic force.
- The blue on the flag stands for the negative cosmic force.
- Taegeuk: The balance of yin and yang, the harmony of opposites.
- Four trigrams: Heaven, fire, water and earth — drawn from the I Ching, along with the four seasons and cardinal directions.
- The design belongs to the "Plain field with a central emblem" family, shared with 70 other flags in this reference.
- Flags most often confused with it: Afghanistan, Albania and Antarctica.
- South Korea became independent on 15 August 1945 from Japan.
Frequently Asked Questions about the Flag of South Korea
When was the flag of South Korea adopted?
The flag of South Korea was officially adopted on October 15, 1997, though the design had already been in use since 1883.
What do the colours of the flag of South Korea mean?
White for peace and purity, red for the positive cosmic force, blue for the negative cosmic force and black for the trigrams.
When did South Korea gain independence?
South Korea became independent on 15 August 1945 from Japan. Korea was liberated in 1945 and the Republic of Korea was founded on 15 August 1948.
What is the national sport of South Korea?
Taekwondo is the national sport; football and baseball are the most watched.
What do the symbols on the flag of South Korea represent?
Taegeuk — The balance of yin and yang, the harmony of opposites. Four trigrams — Heaven, fire, water and earth — drawn from the I Ching, along with the four seasons and cardinal directions.
What are the proportions of the flag of South Korea?
The official ratio is 2:3, which makes the flag rectangular. It shares those proportions with 82 national flags.
What is the national anthem of South Korea?
The national anthem is "Aegukga".
When is the national day of South Korea?
It falls on 15 August, Gwangbokjeol, and the flag is flown across the country.
What is the national animal of South Korea?
The national animal is the Siberian tiger, with the magpie as national bird.
What is the capital of South Korea?
The capital is Seoul. The currency is the South Korean won (KRW) and the language spoken is Korean.