North Korea’s national flag has a wide red central band bordered by narrow white stripes and broader blue bands, with a red five-pointed star inside a white disc near the hoist.

What does the North Korean flag look like?

The central red band dominates the design. A white circle containing a red star sits toward the hoist. Thin white stripes separate the red field from blue bands along the top and bottom.

What do the colors mean?

Official explanations associate red with revolutionary traditions and socialism, white with national purity and cultural identity, and blue with sovereignty, peace and friendship. The red star is a socialist emblem.

History of the flag

The design was introduced in 1948 as the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea was established. It replaced the traditional Korean taegeukgi used before division.

North Korea flag facts

• Adopted: 1948
• Colors: red, white and blue
• Central emblem: red star in white disc
• State: Democratic People’s Republic of Korea