National symbols of North Korea

Last updated

National symbolsofNorth Korea
Flag of North Korea.svg
Flag of North Korea
Emblem
Anthem"Aegukka"
Song"Arirang"
Language Korean
Currency
Calendar North Korean calendar
Living insignia
Bird
Flower
Tree
Inanimate insignia
Color
   Red
   White
   Blue
Costume
Sport

Upon its liberation in 1945 and subsequent foundation in 1948, North Korea adopted national symbols distinct from the national symbols of South Korea. The traditional flag of Korea, the Taegukgi, and the symbol Taeguk, were swapped for socialist symbols.

Contents

Some of the symbols of North Korea—the national emblem, flag, anthem and capital—are defined in the constitution of North Korea, while others such, as the national sport Ssirum or the national dish kimchi, are traditional. Some traditional symbols are shared with the South but with different connotations. Mount Paektu, for instance, is recognized as the symbol of Korea across the peninsula, but North Koreans revere it as the birthplace of Kim Jong Il. Some North Korean symbols are complemented with symbols for the ruling Kim family. For example, the Magnolia sieboldii is the national flower but the hybrid orchids Kimilsungia and Kimjongilia are also respected.

Constitutionally defined symbols

Chapter VII of the Socialist Constitution of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea defines the emblem, flag, anthem and capital of North Korea, while the head of state is stipulated by article 117 of chapter VI. [1]

National emblem

The national emblem of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea bears the design of a grand hydroelectric power station under Mt. Paektu, the sacred mountain of the revolution, and the beaming light of a five-pointed red star, with ears of rice forming an oval frame, bound with a red ribbon bearing the inscription "The Democratic People's Republic of Korea."

Article 169 of the Socialist Constitution of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (1972, amended 2013) [1]

The present emblem of North Korea was adopted on 9 September 1948, on the Day of the Foundation of the Republic. It features a hydroelectric plant and the design was, [2] much like the flag, [3] probably commissioned by the Soviets. The design was amended in 1993 to feature, under the red star, Mount Paektu – in itself an important symbol of Korea [2] – which North Korea considers the birthplace of Kim Jong Il. [4]

National flag

The national flag of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea consists of a central red panel, bordered both above and below by a narrow white stripe and a broad blue stripe. The central red panel bears a five-pointed red star within a white circle near the hoist.
The ratio of the width to the length is 1:2.

Article 170 of the Socialist Constitution of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (1972, amended 2013) [1]

The flag of North Korea was designed in 1948 and adopted the same year to replace Taegukgi, the traditional flag. The Taeguk symbol thus only remained in the flag and emblem of the South. [3] The colors of the North Korean flag – red, white and blue – are considered national colors and symbolize respectively: the sacrifice of the people who fought in the Korean Independence Movement; purity, honesty, and dignity; and the revolutionary spirit of the Koreans. [5]

National anthem

The national anthem of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea is "The Patriotic Song."

Article 171 of the Socialist Constitution of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (1972, amended 2013) [1]

The national anthem is "Aegukka" ( Korean for 'The patriotic song'), written by Pak Se-yong and composed by Kim Won-gyun in 1946. Musically, it is similar to South Korea's national anthem, spelled "Aegukga". [6] The first stanza of the song aims to show the dignity, pride and love to their country while the second is about the will to have Korea as a powerful, independent nation. [5] The folk song "Arirang" is known as the "unofficial national anthem of Korea". [7] North and South Korea have submitted it separately to UNESCO's Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. [7]

Capital

The capital of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea is Pyongyang.

Article 172 of the Socialist Constitution of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (1972, amended 2013) [1]

The first 1948 constitution defined Seoul – the present capital of South Korea – as the capital city. In order to have succeeded in realizing this, the South Korean regime would have had to be removed. [8] In 1972 the constitution was revised and Pyongyang designated as the capital. [9]

Head of state

The President of the Presidium of the Supreme People's Assembly represents the State and receives the credentials and letters of recall of diplomatic representatives accredited by foreign countries.

Article 117 of the Socialist Constitution of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (1972, amended 2013) [1]

The head of state of North Korea has been the President of the Presidium of the Supreme People's Assembly since 1998. [10] The post was held by Kim Yong-nam since its current inception until the 11th of April 2019 when Choe Ryong-hae took the position.

Animals and plants

North Korea has no official national animal, but the mythological winged horse Chollima is taken to be a national symbol. [11] North Korean Siberian tigers are considered unofficial symbol of both Koreas as it represent the Korean people and nation. [12]

The national dog is the Pungsan dog. Pungsan is named after what was once Phungsan County (now Kimhyonggwon County) in Ryanggang Province. It has been bred as a hunting dog. Recently, efforts to conserve and proliferate the breed have been taken. [13]

The national bird is the northern goshawk (Accipiter gentilis). [14] The bird inhabits the northern and central parts of the peninsula and sometimes migrates to the southern part of the country in winter. Historically, Koreans have used the goshawk to hunt pheasants, pigeons and hares [15] and killing a hawk was considered a dishonourable act. [16]

The national flower is the Magnolia sieboldii. [17] Within North Korea, the flower can be found everywhere except for North Hamgyong Province, Ryanggang Province and Chagang Province. [5] Two orchid hybrids are also significant: Kimilsungia and Kimjongilia. [18] They are both considered unofficial national flowers. [19]

The national tree is pine ( Pinus densiflora ). [20] [21] [22] Pines are considered beautiful aspects of scenery and have been featured in Korean visual arts since ancient times. [23] Pine trees are considered to be one of the ten symbols associated with longevity. [24] The behaviour of the pine tree in winter is also seen as a symbol of a resolute will. [20] Earlier, Kim Hyong-jik, the father of Kim Il Sung, had composed a poem: "Green Pine on Nam Hill" to promote liberation of the country. [23]

Others

Kimchi, the national dish Korean cuisine-Kaesong bossam kimchi-01.jpg
Kimchi, the national dish

The national day on 9 September is the Day of the Foundation of the Republic, a public holiday that commemorates the date when Kim Il Sung appointed a cabinet in 1948. [25] Both the birthplace of Kim Il-sung at Mangyongdae and the Juche Tower are considered national monuments. [26] [27]

The national dish is kimchi, a spicy, fermented vegetable dish. [28] North Korean kimchi tends to be less spicy than its Southern counterpart. [29] Both are inscribed on UNESCO's Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. [30] The national liquor is Pyongyang Soju. [31] The traditional Choson-ot (hanbok) is the national dress. [32] The national sport is Ssirum , traditional Korean wrestling, but the martial art Taekwondo is important, too. [33]

Kim Il Sung, founder and president of the modern North Korean state and his successor Kim Jong Il are considered national heroes if not National personifications. [34] The Order of Kim Il Sung and the Order of Kim Jong Il are the highest orders of merit of the country. [35] Cho Ki-chon is considered a national poet. [36]

Mount Paektu is recognized as a symbol of Korea in the North and South alike, but North Korea has attached special significance to it by claiming that it is the birthplace of Kim Jong Il. Tangun, who is considered the founder-king of the Korean nation, is also said to be born at Mount Paektu and is celebrated in North Korea especially. In 1993 North Korean archaeologists located and dated remains in a tomb that they declared Tangun's grave. [4]

See also

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Flag of North Korea</span>

The national flag of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea, commonly known as North Korea, consists of a wide horizontal red stripe bordered above and below by a thin white stripe and a broad blue stripe. The red stripe is charged near the hoist with a five-pointed red star inside a white circle. The design of the flag is defined in the North Korean constitution and regulations regarding the use and manufacture of the flag are outlined in the country's national flag law. The North Korean government credits Kim Il Sung, the country's founder and first leader, as the designer of the flag. The flag was officially adopted on 8 September 1948, with the passing of North Korea's first constitution by the Supreme People's Assembly. The North Korean flag is banned in South Korea by the National Security Act.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kimjongilia</span> Cultivar of begonia, named for Kim Jong-il

Kimjongilia is a flower named after the late North Korean leader Kim Jong Il. It is a hybrid cultivar of tuberous begonia, registered as Begonia × tuberhybrida 'Kimjongilhwa'. When Kim Jong Il died in December 2011, the flower was used to adorn his body for public display. Despite its name, the Kimjongilia is not the official national flower of North Korea, which is the Magnolia sieboldii. Another flower, Kimilsungia, is an orchid cultivar named after Kim Jong Il's father and predecessor, Kim Il Sung.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Supreme People's Assembly</span> Unicameral legislature of North Korea

The Supreme People's Assembly is the legislature of North Korea. It is ostensibly the highest organ of state power and the only branch of government in North Korea, with all state organs subservient to it under the principle of unified power. However, in practice it is a rubber stamp legislature which exists to approve decisions made by the ruling party as a formality, and which has little to no real power of its own.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Emblem of North Korea</span>

The National Emblem of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea is one of the national symbols of North Korea. Prominent features on the emblem are a red star, a hydroelectric plant and Mount Paektu. The design bears similarities to the emblem of the Soviet Union and other emblems done in the socialist heraldic style. The emblem was designed by Kim Chu-gyŏng, a painter and a principal of the Pyongyang Art College who also designed the national flag.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kim Jong Suk</span> Wife of Kim Il Sung (1917–1949)

Kim Jong Suk was a Korean revolutionary, anti-Japanese guerrilla, Communist activist, the first wife of North Korean leader Kim Il Sung, the mother of former leader Kim Jong Il and grandmother of current leader Kim Jong Un.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Constitution of North Korea</span>

The Socialist Constitution of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea is the constitution of North Korea. It was approved by the 6th Supreme People's Assembly at its first session on 27 December 1972, and has been amended and supplemented in 1998, 2009, 2012, 2013, 2016, 2019 (twice), and in 2023. It replaced the country's first constitution which was approved in 1948.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Commander-in-Chief of North Korea</span> Head of North Koreas armed forces

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.

The award system of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea was initially created less than one month after the foundation of the Republic. During the years of Japanese occupation of Korea, many of the future leaders fled to the Soviet Union. During World War II many if not close to all party leaders and Korean People's Army commanders served in the Soviet Army and as such adopted many of the Soviet awards criteria for their own. During the late 1940s and until the Sino-Soviet Split in late 1958, orders and titles were made in the Soviet Money Mints in Moscow or Leningrad. Soviet made awards were modeled after Soviet orders and made of sterling silver. Initially the orders were attached to clothing with a screw-plate, but after Soviet production stopped, production was moved to North Korea. The screwback was replaced with a pin and the silver content was replaced with cheap tin. With the exception of a few examples of modern orders, Soviet and Czech KPA awards are the most sought after in current militaria markets.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kim Won-gyun</span> Composer of the North Korean anthem (1917–2002)

Kim Won-gyun was a North Korean composer and politician. He is considered one of the most prominent, if not the most celebrated, composer of North Korea. He composed "Aegukka" — the national anthem of the country — and "Song of General Kim Il-sung", in addition to revolutionary operas.

The People's Prize is a North Korean arts and sciences award. It is awarded by the People's Prize Awarding Commission, which is working directly under the Cabinet of North Korea. The prize can be granted to works of art or people. People's Prize has been an important award in the field of North Korean cinema.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Order of Kim Il Sung</span> North Korean award decoration

The Order of Kim Il Sung (Korean: 김일성훈장) is the highest order of North Korea, along with the Order of Kim Jong Il, and only second to one honorary title, the Hero of Labour.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Order of Kim Jong Il</span> North Korean award

The Order of Kim Jong Il is a North Korean order named after Kim Jong Il, the former leader of North Korea. It is the highest order of North Korea, along with the Order of Kim Il-Sung, and only second to one honorary title, the Hero of Labour.

The Kim Il Sung Prize (Korean: 김일성상) is an award given by the Government of North Korea to persons in various fields who demonstrate exemplary service to the values of Juche idea. Past winners include the Korean composer Kim Won-gyun, judoka Kye Sun-hui, and the Arirang Festival.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Day of the Shining Star</span> Annual observance in North Korea celebrating the birth of Kim Jong-il

The Day of the Shining Star is a public holiday in North Korea falling on 16 February, the anniversary of the birth of the country's second leader, Kim Jong Il. Along with the Day of the Sun, the birthday of his father Kim Il Sung, it is the most important public holiday in the country.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Hero of Labor (North Korea)</span> Highest title of honour in North Korea

Labor Hero is one of the highest titles of honor of North Korea and the highest decoration of the country overall. The award was probably scheduled for establishment in the summer of 1950, but the Korean War postponed these plans. When the war had entered a phase of stalemate along the 38th parallel, the government had time to officially launch the decoration, originally under the name Korea Hero of Labor. 16 people were decorated Labor Heroes during the war and more since then. The decoration is based on its Soviet equivalent, Hero of Socialist Labour.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">State Affairs Commission of North Korea</span> Political authority in North Korea

The State Affairs Commission of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (SAC) is constitutionally the supreme political authority of North Korea. The State Affairs Commission was created by 2016 amendments to the North Korean Constitution to replace the previously military-dominated National Defence Commission.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Revolutionary Site</span> Designated historical sites in North Korea

Revolutionary Sites (Korean: 혁명사적지) are designated historical sites in North Korea. The sites were designated by Kim Jong Il when he began working at the Propaganda and Agitation Department of the Workers' Party of Korea in 1966. He would send troops all over the country to unearth sites that "were supposedly once forgotten and undiscovered". By converting North Korea into a "huge open museum", Kim's goal in designating the sites was to solidify the North Korean cult of personality centered around him and his father Kim Il Sung.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ri Yong-suk</span> North Korean politician (1916–2021)

Ri Yong-suk was a North Korean politician and revolutionary. A veteran of the anti-Japanese struggle, Ri had close relations with all three generations of the Kim dynasty. During WWII, she was with Kim Il Sung in the Soviet 88th Separate Rifle Brigade. During the Korean War, she took care of Kim Jong Il, eldest son and future heir of Kim Il Sung. Under Kim Jong Un, she was portrayed as a link between the original guerrilla generation and the current leadership. Ri was elected to the Supreme People's Assembly in 1998 and 2003.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Awards and decorations received by Kim Jong Il</span>

This is a list of awards and decorations received by Kim Jong Il. According to North Korean sources, North Korea "conferred ... the title of Hero of the DPRK four times, the Order of Kim Il Sung four times, Kim Il Sung Prize two times, 22 orders and 9 medals" on Kim Jong Il. Additionally, "many countries and international organizations conferred 39 orders, 141 medals and 201 honorary titles on him".

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 6 Socialist Constitution of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (PDF). Pyongyang: Foreign Languages Publishing House. 2014. ISBN   978-9946-0-1099-1. Archived from the original (PDF) on 8 June 2016. Amended and supplemented on April 1, Juche 102 (2013), at the Seventh Session of the Twelfth Supreme People's Assembly.
  2. 1 2 Tertitskiy, Fyodor (23 September 2014). "The Evolution of North Korea's Coat of Arms". Daily NK . Retrieved 30 September 2015.
  3. 1 2 Tertitskiy, Fyodor (20 June 2014). "Kim Tu Bong and the Flag of Great Extremes". Daily NK . Retrieved 30 September 2015.
  4. 1 2 Pratt, Keith (2007). Everlasting Flower: A History of Korea. London: Reaktion Books. p. 33. ISBN   978-1-86189-335-2.
  5. 1 2 3 "National Symbols". Naenara .
  6. ↑ Hoare, James E. (13 July 2012). Historical Dictionary of Democratic People's Republic of Korea. Plymouth: Scarecrow Press. p. 273. ISBN   978-0-8108-7987-4.
  7. 1 2 "N. Korea's Arirang wins UNESCO intangible heritage status". Yonhap. 27 November 2014. Retrieved 25 November 2015.
  8. ↑ Eberstadt 1999, p. 26.
  9. ↑ Eberstadt 1999, p. 32.
  10. ↑ Cha & Hwang 2008, p. 196.
  11. ↑ Foran 2013, p. 132.
  12. ↑ "Horang-i" 호랑이 [Tiger]. Encyclopedia of Korean Culture (in Korean). Retrieved 8 January 2010.
  13. ↑ Kang 2015, p. 27.
  14. ↑ "Protection of Goshawk Active in DPRK". Naenara . Korean Central News Agency. 5 March 2016. Retrieved 6 March 2016.
  15. ↑ "Goshawk, National Bird of Korea". KCNA. 21 April 2014. Retrieved 22 September 2015– via KCNA Watch.
  16. ↑ Kim 2019, p. 41.
  17. ↑ Lim, Reuben C. J. (29 June 2013). "Floral Emblems of the world". Australian National Herbarium, Australian National Botanic Gardens. Retrieved 9 September 2016.
  18. ↑ Foran 2013, p. 38.
  19. ↑ Minahan 2010, p. 82.
  20. 1 2 Kim 2019, p. 32.
  21. ↑ "North Korea Newsletter 360 (April 30, 2015)". Yonhap. 30 April 2015. Retrieved 22 September 2015.
  22. ↑ Han Su-yong (2016). Understanding Korea (PDF). Vol. 3: Politics. Pyongyang: Foreign Languages Publishing House. ISBN   978-9946-0-1406-7.
  23. 1 2 "Pine Tree Symbolic of Spirit of DPRK". KCNA. 24 April 2015. Archived from the original on 7 July 2015. Retrieved 22 September 2015.
  24. ↑ Kim 2019, pp. 32–33.
  25. ↑ Tertitskiy, Fyodor (9 September 2015). "The Soviet strategy behind NK's Foundation Day". Daily NK . Retrieved 30 September 2015.
  26. ↑ Cornell, Erik (2005). North Korea Under Communism: Report of an Envoy to Paradise. Translated by Bradbury, Rodney. London: Routledge. p. 123. ISBN   978-1-135-78822-3.
  27. ↑ Lerner, Mitchell (2008). "Making Sense of the 'Hermit Kingdom': North Korea in the Nuclear Age". Origins. 2 (3). Retrieved 5 October 2015.
  28. ↑ Becker, Jasper (2005). Rogue Regime: Kim Jong Il and the Looming Threat of North Korea: Kim Jong Il and the Looming Threat of North Korea . USA: Oxford University Press. p.  121. ISBN   978-0-19-803810-8.
  29. ↑ North Koreans Want UNESCO Recognition for Their Kimchi Variation. Voice of America. 2 December 2015. Event occurs at 1:10. Retrieved 3 December 2015– via YouTube.
  30. ↑ "UNESCO Adds N. Korea's Kimchi-Making to Cultural Heritage List". KBS. 3 December 2015. Archived from the original on 14 April 2021. Retrieved 3 December 2015.
  31. ↑ Kim 2019, p. 52.
  32. ↑ French, Paul (2007). North Korea: The Paranoid Peninsula: A Modern History, Second Edition (2 ed.). London / New York: Zed Books. p. 42. ISBN   978-1-84277-905-7.
  33. ↑ Behnke, Alison (2005). North Korea in Pictures. Twenty-First Century Books. p. 117. ISBN   978-0-8225-1908-9.
  34. ↑ Minahan 2010, p. 84.
  35. ↑ "Order of Kim Jong Il Instituted". KCNA. Archived from the original on 12 October 2014. Retrieved 6 June 2012.
  36. ↑ 기획 기사 [9.9절 방북취재-6]<백두산은 역시 혁명의 성산> (in Korean). Korean American National Coordinating Council. 23 September 2008. Retrieved 10 November 2020.

Works cited

Further reading

This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.