Initially designed along with the early draft for the Emblem of North Korea in 1948. The slogan reads: "For the unification and independence of the motherland and the people" (조국의 통립과 인민을 위하여). Used only as ceremonial unit color for historical units beginning 2013.
1948–1961
Used only as ceremonial unit color for historical units beginning 2013, the latter used exclusively for Guards units.
Used for Guards units only, in this case bearing a Guards badge with Korean letters reading "[Unit number] / 2nd (as in ceremonies) Infantry Division" (제2부병사단). Used only as ceremonial unit color for Guards units beginning 2013.
Latest version shown; emblem adopted in 1992.[1] The slogan reads: "For the unification and independence of the motherland, and the freedom and happiness of the people" (조국의 통일, 독립과 인민의 자유와 행복을 위하여).
1992–1993
Emblem of DPRK updated to the one featuring the Paektu Mountain.
1961–1993
With a red star with golden border and bearing a hammer and two sickles.
1993–2023
Flag of the General Staff of the Korean People's Army
Seen used during the October 1995 parade, observed very rarely.
2023–present
Identical to the new flag of the ground forces except without the blue and white stripes. The slogan reads "For the endless prosperity of the fatherland and the security of the people! (조국의 무궁한 번영과 인민의 안녕을 위하여)", with the date of the founding of the KPA as 2 February 1948 in the canton.
Party symbol placed within a design containing the façade of the WPK headquarters in Pyongyang.[2]
Flag of the Supreme Commander of the Korean Peoples' Army
Emblem of KPA with slogan: "For the unification and independence of the motherland, and the freedom and happiness of the people" (조국의 통일, 독립과 인민의 자유와 행복을 위하여).[1] The 4.25 commemorates the foundation of People's Anti-Japanese Guerrilla Army on April 25, 1932.[1] Still used by some units after its replacement in 2023.
With Korean letters reading "Revolutionary armed forces of the Workers' Party of Korea, Korean People's Army [unit name] / No.425 unit (in ceremonies)" (조선로동당의 혁명적무장력인 조선인민군 제425 군부대). The number 425 commemorates the foundation of People's Anti-Japanese Guerrilla Army on April 25, 1932. Still used by some units after its replacement in 2023.
1993–1994
Flag with a slogan for Kim Il Sung, it reads: "Let us defend the Party's Central Committee headed by dear Comrade Kim Il Sung with our lives!" (경애하는 김일성동지를 수반으로 하는 당중앙위원회를 목숨으로 사수하자!). His name is slightly enlarged.
1997–2011
Flag with a slogan for Kim Jong Il when he was in power. The slogan: "Let us defend the headquarters of the revolution headed by the great Comrade Kim Jong Il with our lives!" (위대한 김정일동지를 수반으로 하는 혁명의 수뇌부를 목숨으로 사수하자!).[1] His name is slightly enlarged. The word 혁명의 수뇌부 was later replaced by 당중앙위원회 (Party's Central Committee) in 2011.
2012–2023
Flag with a slogan for Kim Jong Un, it reads: "Let us defend the Party's Central Committee headed by the great Comrade Kim Jong Un with our lives!" (위대한 김정은동지를 수반으로 하는 당중앙위원회를 목숨으로 사수하자!). His name is slightly enlarged.
2023–present
Identical to the former flag except the emblem of the KPA is defaced with the emblem of the DPRK emblazoned on largened red star. The slogan reads "For the endless prosperity of the fatherland and the security of the people! (조국의 무궁한 번영과 인민의 안녕을 위하여)", with the date of founding of the particular unit placed in the canton. This flag is used by units of the Ground Forces to serve as a unit flag. The date of foundation on the canton differs among KPAGF units of regiment/brigade level and above, independent battalions and educational institutions.
Identical to the former flag except the party symbol is placed within a design containing the facade of the WPK headquarters in Pyongyang. The slogan reads "Let us defend the Party's Central Committee headed by Dear Comrade Kim Jong Un with our lives!" (경애하는 김정은동지를 수반으로 하는 당중앙위원회를 목숨으로 사수하자!)[2]
Emblem of KPA with anchor. Still used by some units after its replacement in 2023.
With Korean letters reading "Revolutionary armed forces of the Workers' Party of Korea, Korean People's Army [unit name] / No.415 unit (in ceremonies)" (조선로동당의 혁명적무장력인 조선인민군 제415 군부대). The number 415 commemorates the birthday of Kim Il-Sung on April 15. Still used by some units after its replacement in 2023.
1993–1994
Flag with a slogan for Kim Il Sung, it reads: "Let us defend the Party's Central Committee headed by dear Comrade Kim Il Sung with our lives!" (경애하는 김일성동지를 수반으로 하는 당중앙위원회를 목숨으로 사수하자!). His name is slightly enlarged.
1997–2011
Flag with a slogan for Kim Jong Il when he was in power. The slogan: "Let us defend the headquarters of the revolution headed by the great Comrade Kim Jong Il with our lives!" (위대한 김정일동지를 수반으로 하는 혁명의 수뇌부를 목숨으로 사수하자!).[1] His name is slightly enlarged. The word 혁명의 수뇌부 was later replaced by 당중앙위원회 (Party's Central Committee) in 2011.
2012–2023
Flag with the slogan for Kim Jong Un, it reads: "Let us defend the Party's Central Committee headed by the great Comrade Kim Jong Un with our lives!" (위대한 김정은동지를 수반으로 하는 당중앙위원회를 목숨으로 사수하자!). His name is slightly enlarged.
2023–present
Identical to the former flag except the emblem of the KPA is defaced with the emblem of the DPRK emblazoned on largened red star, surrounded by a laurel wreath, and surmounted by an anchor and steering wheel. The slogan reads "For the endless prosperity of the fatherland and the security of the people! (조국의 무궁한 번영과 인민의 안녕을 위하여)", with the date of founding of the particular unit placed in the canton. The representative flag of the whole branch displays the date 28 August 1949.
Identical to the former flag except the party symbol is placed within a design containing the façade of the WPK headquarters in Pyongyang. The slogan reads "Let us defend the Party's Central Committee headed by Dear Comrade Kim Jong Un with our lives!" (경애하는 김정은동지를 수반으로 하는 당중앙위원회를 목숨으로 사수하자!)[2]
Emblem of KPA with wings. Still used by some units after its replacement in 2023.
1993–2023
With Korean letters reading "Revolutionary armed forces of the Workers' Party of Korea, Korean People's Army [unit name] / No.216 unit (in ceremonies)" (조선로동당의 혁명적무장력인 조선인민군 제216 군부대). The number 216 commemorates the birthday of Kim Jong-Il on February 16. Still used by some units after its replacement in 2023.
1993–1994
Flag with a slogan for Kim Il Sung, it reads: "Let us defend the Party's Central Committee headed by dear Comrade Kim Il Sung with our lives!" (경애하는 김일성동지를 수반으로 하는 당중앙위원회를 목숨으로 사수하자!). His name is slightly enlarged.
1993–2012
Flag with a slogan for Kim Jong Il when he was in power. The slogan: "Let us defend the headquarters of the revolution headed by the great Comrade Kim Jong Il with our lives!" (위대한 김정일동지를 수반으로 하는 혁명의 수뇌부를 목숨으로 사수하자!).[1] His name is slightly enlarged. Wings and a star above the KPA emblem. The word 혁명의 수뇌부 was later replaced by 당중앙위원회 (Party's Central Committee) in 2011.
2012–2023
Flag with a slogan for Kim Jong Un, it reads: "Let us defend the Party's Central Committee headed by the great Comrade Kim Jong Un with our lives!" (위대한 김정은동지를 수반으로 하는 당중앙위원회를 목숨으로 사수하자!). His name is slightly enlarged.
2023–present
Identical to the former flag except the emblem of the KPAAF is defaced with the emblem of the DPRK emblazoned on largened red star with additional stars at the top. Lower stripes are arranged as chevrons, and with six trailing jet fighters emerging behind the emblem. The slogan reads "For the endless prosperity of the fatherland and the security of the people! (조국의 무궁한 번영과 인민의 안녕을 위하여)", with the date of founding of the particular unit placed in the canton. The representative flag of the whole branch displays the date 29 November 1945.
Identical to the former flag except the party symbol is placed within a design containing the façade of the WPK headquarters in Pyongyang. The slogan reads "Let us defend the Party's Central Committee headed by Dear Comrade Kim Jong Un with our lives!" (경애하는 김정은동지를 수반으로 하는 당중앙위원회를 목숨으로 사수하자!)[2]
Emblem of KPA on an upper half globe. Reverted to army flag in 2020.
With Korean letters reading "Revolutionary armed forces of the Workers' Party of Korea, Korean People's Army [unit name] / No.108 unit (in ceremonies)" (조선로동당의 혁명적무장력인 조선인민군 제108 군부대). The number 108 commemorates the birthday of Kim Jong-Un on January 8.
2023–present
With the same pattern as army flag but has the date 3 July 1999 on obverse side.
The Flag of the Missile General Bureau is seen with its Emblem in a large form with the founding date of 30 April 2016, The slogan reads "For the endless prosperity of the fatherland and the security of the people! (조국의 무궁한 번영과 인민의 안녕을 위하여)"
Identical to the Backside flags of the KPA except the party symbol is placed within a design containing the façade of the WPK headquarters in Pyongyang.
Emblem of KPA with the Big Dipper. Reverted to army flag in 2020.
With Korean letters reading "Revolutionary armed forces of the Workers' Party of Korea, Korean People's Army [unit name]". / No.506 unit (in ceremonies)" (조선로동당의 혁명적무장력인 조선인민군 제506 군부대). The number 506 commemorates the 7th Congress of the Workers' Party of Korea on May 6, 2016.
2023–present
With the same pattern as army flag but has the date 7 February 1969 on obverse side.
The slogan reads "For the endless prosperity of the fatherland and the security of the people! (조국의 무궁한 번영과 인민의 안녕을 위하여)" Also used by Social Security Forces units.
The Korean People's Army encompasses the combined military forces of North Korea and the armed wing of the Workers' Party of Korea (WPK). The KPA consists of five branches: the Ground Force, the Naval Force, the Air Force, Strategic Force, and the Special Operation Force. It is commanded by the WPK Central Military Commission, which is chaired by the WPK general secretary, and the president of the State Affairs; both posts are currently headed by Kim Jong Un.
The Joint Security Area is the only portion of the Korean Demilitarized Zone (DMZ) where North and South Korean forces stand face-to-face. The JSA is used by the two Koreas for diplomatic engagements and, until March 1991, was also the site of military negotiations between North Korea and the United Nations Command (UNC).
The Korean People's Army Air Force is the unified military aviation force of North Korea. It is the second largest branch of the Korean People's Army comprising an estimated 110,000 members. As of 2024, it is estimated to possess some 570 combat aircraft, 200 helicopters, and a few transporters, mostly of decades-old Soviet and Chinese origin. Its primary task is to defend North Korean airspace. In April 2022, the Korean People's Army Air and Anti-Air Force name was changed to Korean People's Army Air Force.
The Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Democratic People's Republic of Korea is the commander-in-chief of the Korean People's Army, the military of North Korea. The office was established on 4 July 1950 and abolished with the passing of a new constitution in 1972. Since then, the office of President of North Korea, the Chairman of the National Defence Commission and the President of the State Affairs Commission have been referred to as supreme commanders in accordance with the constitution.
Kim Yong-chun was a North Korean soldier and politician. He was a leader of the North Korean military. He held the North Korean military rank Chasu, was Vice Chairman of the National Defense Commission of North Korea, and was Minister of People's Armed Forces. He held a minor post within the Workers Party.
Kim Jong-gak is a Korean People's Army (KPA) official. He was a member of the Politburo of the Workers' Party of Korea (WPK). He served as Minister of Defence briefly in 2012, and Director of the General Political Bureau of the KPA in 2018.
Choe Ryong-hae is a North Korean politician and military officer who currently serves as Chairman of the Standing Committee of the Supreme People's Assembly and First Vice President of the State Affairs Commission, holding both positions since April 2019. Due to holding the first office, he was considered the head of state of North Korea before the country's constitution was amended to transfer this position to the President of the State Affairs Commission, Kim Jong Un.
The Ministry of Defence is the government agency under the State Affairs Commission tasked with general administrative and logistical coordination of the Korean People's Army (KPA). The current Minister of National Defence is General No Kwang-chol.
Kim Won-hong is a North Korean politician and military general.
Hwang Pyong-so is a North Korean general and politician who held the rank of Vice Marshal in the Korean People's Army (KPA). He was a member of the Presidium of the Workers' Party of Korea and the top-ranking vice-chairman of the State Affairs Commission.
Military Foundation Day is an annual public holiday in North Korea falling on 8 February.
The Day of Songun is a public holiday in North Korea celebrated on 25 August annually to commemorate the beginning of Kim Jong Il's Songun (military-first) leadership in 1960.
Day of the Foundation of the Republic is the Republic Day and National day of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea, held on 9 September.
Ri Pyong-chol is a North Korean marshal and formerly a top advisor of supreme leader Kim Jong Un, who serves as Vice Chairman of the Central Military Commission and a member of the Presidium of the Politburo of the Workers' Party of Korea. He is a relative of Kim's wife, Ri Sol-ju. He currently also serves as a director of a department of the Central Committee of the Workers' Party of Korea (WPK) and First Deputy Director of the WPK Organization and Guidance Department (OGD). General Ri's military and senior Party experience make him an important advisor to Kim Jong Un, especially during crisis. He is an alternate member of the WPK Political Bureau, and a deputy to the Supreme People's Assembly. Ri served in the Korean People's Army Air Force until 2014 at which time he became a senior party official.
Chongnyon Jonwi is a daily newspaper in North Korea. It is the official organ of the Central Committee of the Socialist Patriotic Youth League. It is one of the three most important newspapers in the country, the other two being Rodong Sinmun and Joson Inmingun. Chongnyon Jonwi is particularly known for jointly publishing New Year editorials with the two papers under the rule of Kim Jong Il. Most of its regular articles are commentary on the contents of Rodong Sinmun from a youth perspective. The editor-in-chief is Choe Sun-chol.
This is a list of military parades held in Pyongyang, the capital of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) since 1948. All military parades consist of troops from the Korean People's Army and the paramilitary Worker-Peasant Red Guards. All military parades of a national nature are held on Pyongyang's Kim Il Sung Square with the General Secretary of the Workers' Party of Korea, President of the State Affairs Commission and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of North Korea in attendance. These parades are broadcast live on Korean Central Television.
Pak Jong-chon is a North Korean Marshal who is a vice chairman of the Central Military Commission of the Workers' Party of Korea (WPK).
Thomas, Dean (2014). "Flags and Emblems of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea". Raven: A Journal of Vexillology. 21: 95–115. doi:10.5840/raven2014215. ISSN1071-0043.
Names in italics indicate non-sovereign (dependent) territories, disputed states and/or former countries.
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Flag of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea 
