Flag of North Korea: Meaning, Design & Cultural Significance

The North Korea flag is officially called the Ramhongsaek Konghwagukgi. It has a wide red stripe with thin white borders and blue bands at the top and bottom. A white circle with a red star sits near the hoist. Adopted on Sept 8, 1948, the flag of North Korea reflects socialist ideology and revolutionary history.

Flag of North Korea: Meaning, History & Significance

The national flag of North Korea is officially known as Ramhongsaek Konghwagukgi (람홍색공화국기, "Blue and Red Flag of the Republic"). The North Korea flag consists of a wide red panel at its center, framed by thin white stripes and blue bands along the top and bottom edges, with a white circle holding a five-pointed red star on the hoist side. North Korea adopted its flag on September 8, 1948, when the nation was founded.

Standard sources describe North Korea’s flag as a horizontal banner with a 1:2 proportion. The red panel takes up the central four-fifths of the flag's height, establishing its distinctive flag of North Korea proportion. The red star inside the white circle typically connects to socialist ideology and revolutionary ideals. State officials often interpret the color arrangement as representing national sovereignty and unity.

This article explores the North Korea flag meaning, its symbolic significance, historical background, flag’s technical design, and what visitors should know when encountering the flag at official sites and public events.

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Flag of North Korea: Key Takeaways

Status: The North Korea flag, or Ramhongsaek Konghwagukgi, is the legally defined national flag and state symbol of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea.
Visibility: The flag appears on government buildings, monuments, border crossings, transport hubs, and official documents throughout North Korean territory.
Specification: Its design is a horizontal triband with a wide central red stripe, narrow white borders, blue bands, and a white circle containing a red five-pointed star, fixed at a 1:2 ratio.
Identification: The North Korean flag is easily recognised by its red star on a white circular background positioned on the hoist side within the red panel.
Interpretation: Standard sources describe the red panel as representing revolutionary traditions, white stripes as symbolizing purity, and blue bands as expressing sovereignty and peace.

Public Presence of the North Korean Flag

Visitors to North Korea often encounter the national flag within minutes of arrival, from airport terminals to border checkpoints and official city landmarks. At national government complexes, the national flag is typically flown on flagpoles near main entrances, alongside institutional emblems. Travelers commonly notice the North Korea flag at sites such as Kim Il-sung Square, the Arch of Triumph, the Tower of the Juche Idea, and government ministry buildings in the capital of North Korea.

The North Korea flag flying in Pyongyang, symbolizing its importance in the nation's capital.

Major transport hubs, including Pyongyang Sunan International Airport and international rail stations, display the flag on rooftops and building entrances. Immigration checkpoints and arrival corridors feature it prominently. Land border crossings use the flag to mark national jurisdiction and entry points.

Public institutions, state universities, and cultural venues raise North Korea’s flag during major national holidays. Additional flags line the streets at organized public gatherings throughout the country.

Within North Korea, municipal buildings and provincial administrative offices often use the flag on outdoor flagpoles during official events and state ceremonies rather than as a constant daily display at every location.

Design and Layout of the North Korea Flag

Standardised state specifications describe the design and layout of the flag of North Korea in clear geometric terms, covering its proportions, North Korea flag colors, and the placement of the star. The following table summarizes the technical specifications of the North Korea flag design.

A technical diagram showing the design and proportions of the flag of North Korea, including the red star and color bands.

Aspect	Specification
Orientation	Horizontal triband with hoist on left
Colors	Red (revolutionary red), White (purity white), Blue (sovereignty blue)
Digital colors	Red: RGB(237, 28, 36), HEX #ED1C24 White: RGB(255, 255, 255), HEX #FFFFFF Blue: RGB(2, 79, 162), HEX #024FA2
Print colors	Red: CMYK(0, 100, 90, 0) White: CMYK(0, 0, 0, 0) Blue: CMYK(100, 70, 0, 10)
Color arrangement	Blue stripe (top), white stripe, wide red panel, white stripe, blue stripe (bottom)
Emblem placement	White circle with red five-pointed star positioned on hoist side, centered vertically within red panel
Proportions	1:2 ratio; red panel occupies central 4/5 of flag height; white stripes each 1/20 of height; blue bands each 1/12 of height

Flag of North Korea: Meaning and Symbolism

Standard academic and reference works emphasise that interpretations of the North Korea flag vary by source, particularly regarding political and cultural readings of color and form. Frequently cited interpretations explain that the red panel represents revolutionary spirit and the struggle for independence and socialism. The white stripes are often cited as symbols of purity and the homogeneity of the Korean people. The blue bands are frequently associated with sovereignty, peace, and friendship with other nations pursuing similar ideological paths.

An infographic explaining the meaning and symbolism of the North Korea flag's colors and red star.

Some commentators, especially in discussions of North Korea old flag designs and historical Korean flags, highlight that earlier flag arrangements on the Korean Peninsula used different color schemes and emblems, noting that modern official usage of the Ramhongsaek Konghwagukgi is framed within post-1948 state ideology.

What the North Korea Flag Represents

The red panel on the North Korea flag represents revolutionary tradition, anti-imperialist struggle, and commitment to socialist principles in official state publications.
The white stripes symbolise purity, cultural unity, and the shared heritage of the Korean people in many reference sources.
The blue bands express national sovereignty, a desire for peace, and solidarity with international socialist movements in standard interpretations.
The red five-pointed star within the white circle represents state ideology, the leadership of the Workers' Party of Korea, and the unity of five social classes under socialism.

How to Identify the Flag of North Korea

At airports, international border crossings, and official signage, the North Korean flag often appears among state emblems, maps indicating where North Korea is, and directional markers. Transport checkpoints, immigration counters, and public information displays may show the design as an indicator for state jurisdiction.

Look for a horizontal design that shows a wide red central stripe with narrow white borders and blue bands at the top and bottom edges.
Confirm a white circle sits on the hoist side within the red panel and holds a red five-pointed star.
Distinguish the North Korea flag by checking that the star sits inside this white circle rather than directly on the red stripe.
Use the color order of blue, white, red, white, and blue, along with the hoist-side star position, to identify the flag of North Korea among similar Asian flags.

Similar Flags Commonly Confused With the North Korean Flag

While the North Korea flag has a distinctive design, travelers occasionally note visual similarities with other national flags that use red, white, and blue color schemes. The following table highlights these potential points of confusion and the key differences.

Commonly confused with	Shared visual elements	Key difference
Laos Flag	Red horizontal stripe with blue bands and a white circle	The white circle contains no star
Taiwan Flag (ROC)	Red field with white and blue elements	White sun appears in a blue canton at the upper hoist.
Cuba Flag	Horizontal stripes with a red triangle and a white star	Star sits inside a hoist-side triangle, not a white circle.
Myanmar Flag	Horizontal tricolor with red, yellow, green, and white stars	Yellow and green stripes with a centered white star.
Historical Korean flags	Red and blue color elements	Use Taeguk symbols and trigrams instead of a star in a circle.

History of the Flag of North Korea

The history of the North Korea flag traces the development of national symbols on the Korean Peninsula through premodern periods, Japanese colonial rule, and the post-1945 partition. Systematic documentation of the current flag design begins with the establishment of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea in 1948.

A historical comparison of the flag of North Korea with the Taegukgi and other historical Korean flags.

Prior to 1945, the Korean Peninsula used the Taegukgi, a flag featuring a circular yin-yang symbol and four trigrams, during the Joseon Dynasty and the Japanese colonial period.
Between 1945 and 1948, provisional symbols and transitional flags were used in the northern region during the Soviet occupation period.
On September 8, 1948, the official adoption of the current North Korea flag design upon the state's foundation.
In 1972, constitutional revision reaffirmed the flag's status and symbolic meaning within the revised state framework.
In 1992 and 1998, subsequent constitutional amendments maintained the flag's design without modification.
From the 2000s to the present, continued use of the flag at state events, international forums, and diplomatic missions.

No significant design changes have been made to North Korea old flag since its adoption, maintaining continuity in national symbolism over more than seven decades.

North Korea Flag Etiquette for Visitors: Common Dos and Don'ts

Visitors to North Korea follow clear norms around how the national flag appears in public spaces. Even travelers who explore the top 5 cities to visit in Asia often adjust their behavior to match local expectations while in the country. The table below highlights what travelers commonly do and what they usually avoid.

Travelers respectfully observing the national flag of North Korea at a public monument, demonstrating proper visitor etiquette.

Commonly observed	Typically avoided
Taking photos of the flag at major monuments.	Capturing tight close-ups that crop the flag.
Standing quietly during flag-raising ceremonies.	Wearing clothes that copy the flag design.
Watching the flag at government buildings respectfully.	Touching or posing directly with official flags.
Noticing the flag at borders and checkpoints.	Comparing its design with other national flags.
Listening to guides explain the flag’s symbolism.	Making unsolicited remarks about its colours or symbols.

Flag of North Korea: Practical Travel Tips for Tourists

The North Korea flag helps travelers understand where they are in official spaces. It often marks key government, border, and airport areas as a clear visual guide.

Practical considerations for travelers include:

Navigation: Major squares and boulevards where the flag is prominently displayed, such as Kim Il-sung Square and Mansudae Grand Monument, serve as central reference points for organized tours and official events.
Language: Signage near flag displays is typically in Korean, with limited English translation, making guide assistance valuable for understanding context and directions at official sites.
Payments: Transactions in tourist-designated facilities typically require foreign currency or approved payment methods, with the state branding and the flag of North Korea sometimes appearing on official receipts and documentation.
Connectivity: Koryolink operates the primary mobile network with coverage in Pyongyang and major cities, while foreign visitors typically require approved tourist SIM cards with restricted data access to domestic networks only.

Staying Connected in North Korea with SimCorner

Maintaining connectivity during travel to North Korea requires careful planning because mobile networks offer limited international access. Approved tourist SIM cards support voice and SMS inside the country, while data usually connects only to a domestic intranet rather than the global internet.

SimCorner offers アジア eSIM options and Asia SIM cards that help travelers stay connected in transit through nearby countries such as China. These plans support short or long trips without roaming charges, with instant setup, clear pricing, hotspot use, and zero roaming fees. Travelers activate plans before departure and rely on 24/7 online support during the international parts of their journey.

The flag of North Korea functions as a precise visual standard that supports recognition of state institutions, spaces, and official services. Understanding its design helps visitors interpret signage, ceremonies, and official settings while travelling across contemporary North Korea.

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よくある質問（FAQ）

What does the North Korea flag look like?

The North Korea flag shows a wide red stripe across the center of the design. Thin white stripes sit along the top and bottom edges of this red panel. Blue bands appear at the very top and bottom of the flag. A white circle with a red five-pointed star rests on the hoist side.

What is the meaning of the North Korea flag colors?

The North Korea flag colors carry specific symbolic meanings in official interpretations. Official readings link the red panel to revolutionary spirit and the struggle for socialism and independence. The white stripes symbolize purity and unity among the Korean people. The blue bands represent sovereignty, peace, and solidarity with ideologically aligned countries.

When was the North Korea flag adopted?

The North Korea flag was officially adopted on September 8, 1948, when the Democratic People's Republic of Korea was founded. Authorities adopted the flag on that date, as the first constitution set out its design and official meaning. This decision broke with earlier flags used on the Korean Peninsula and later shaped the history of North Korea flag development.

What is the history of North Korea's old flag?

The history of North Korea’s old flag looks at how earlier designs changed before the current one appeared. Before 1948, the whole peninsula used the Taegukgi, a white flag with a red and blue yin-yang and four black trigrams. During Soviet occupation from 1945 to 1948, the North used transitional flags reflecting shifting politics and a wish for different symbols.

What does the star on the North Korea flag represent?

The red five-pointed star inside the white circle on the hoist side usually represents the state's socialist ideology and the leading role of the Workers' Party of Korea. Many descriptions link its five points to workers, peasants, soldiers, intellectuals, and youth. This North Korea flag symbol uses a strong red contrast to underline its importance.