The Rich Symbolism of the North Korean Flag

Historical Context

The North Korean national flag was officially adopted on July 10, 1948, just two months prior to the proclamation of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea. It replaced the flag of the Provisional People's Committee for North Korea, established in 1946.

Design and Meaning

Horizontal Bands

The flag features three horizontal bands: blue at the top, red in the middle, and blue at the bottom. The red band, which is triple the width of the blue bands, symbolizes the revolutionary spirit and the struggle for socialism. The blue bands represent peace and harmony.

White Disk and Star

In the center of the red band is a white disk with a five-pointed star. The disk represents Mount Paekdu, considered a sacred mountain in North Korean mythology. The star has five points, representing the five component groups of the Korean people: workers, peasants, the intelligentsia, young people, and women.