This is a list of flags used by South Korea, North Korea, and their predecessor states.
Korean reunification flag
edit| Flag | Date | Use | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
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1991–present | Korean Unification Flag | Used to represent the whole of Korea when North and South participate together in international sporting events.[1] |
National
edit| Flag | Date | Use | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| Present national flags of North and South Korea | |||
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1948–present |  Flag of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (Ramhongsaek Konghwagukki)
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Red field with a blue bar on the top and bottom and a star in the center known as the red flag. Current, post-1992 version shown. |
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1948–present | Flag of the Republic of Korea (Taegeukgi)
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White field with a red and blue taegeuk in the center and four black trigrams, one in each corner of the flag. Modified several times since its original adoption in 1948. Current, post-2011 version shown. |
| Historical versions | |||
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Extant 1392 |  The Royal flag of the Goryeo dynasty[2]
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Also known as the "Bong-gi", which means "The Phoenix Flag". |
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Extant 1392 | The Royal banner of the Goryeo dynasty.
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Also known as the "Haema-gi", which means "The Seahorse Flag". |
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Extant 1392 | The Royal banner of the Goryeo dynasty.
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Also known as the "Sang-gi", which means "The Elephant Flag". |
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Extant 1856 |  Flag of the Joseon dynasty[3][4]
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Extant 1876 | The Personal standard of the King of Joseon[3][4]
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1882–1907 |  Royal standard of the Joseon dynasty[4]
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1897–1907 | Imperial standard of the Korean Empire
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1908–1910 | Imperial standard of the Korean Empire
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1908–1910 | Standard of emperor emeritus of the Korean Empire
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1908–1910 | Standard of empress of the Korean Empire
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1908–1910 | Standard of crown prince of the Korean Empire
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1908–1910 | Standard of crown princess of the Korean Empire
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1908–1910 | Standard of prince of the Korean Empire
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1882–1910 | *Flag of the Joseon dynasty and Korean Empire
The third version from the top is a replica of the one given by emperor Gojong to American diplomat Owen N. Denny (1838–1900), who served as his advisor. The second version from the bottom is depicted in the 1882 U.S. Navy book Flags of Maritime Nations. Lowest is the version found in the 1944 United States postage stamp series. |
The former Korean imperial flag had a different taegeuk from that in the current South Korean flag. Note that the 1882 U.S. Navy depiction may be left-right reversed. The arrangement of the trigrams was not officially fixed until an ordinance of 1949, when the South Korean government issued the construction. |
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1919–1948 | The flag of the Provisional Government of the Republic of Korea
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In exile in several cities of China |
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1945–1946 | Flag of the People's Republic of Korea
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A white rectangular background with three red horizontal strips throughout middle, and a red and blue taegeuk with white border near hoist side. Used by the People's Committees throughout postwar Korea. |
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1946–1948 | Flag of the Provisional People's Committee for North Korea | A white rectangular background, a red and blue taegeuk in the center that symbolizes harmony, and four black trigrams, on each corner of the flag. |
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1948–1992 | Flag of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea | Red field with a blue bar on the top and bottom and a star in the center known as the red flag |
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15 August 1948 – 14 October 1949 | Civil and state flag and ensign of the First Republic of South Korea. | This flag was designed by the first National Assembly. |
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15 October 1949 – 20 February 1984 | Civil and state flag and ensign of the First, Second, Third, Fourth and the Fifth Republic of South Korea. | The construction sheet was specified by the Ministry of Education and Culture in October 1949. The exact colors were specified via presidential decree in October 1997.[5][6] |
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21 February 1984 – 14 October 1997 | Civil and state flag and ensign of the Fifth and Sixth Republic of South Korea. | |
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15 October 1997 – 29 May 2011 | Civil and state flag and ensign of the Sixth Republic of South Korea. | |
Political flags
edit| Flag | Date | Party | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
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1935–1947 |  Korean National Revolutionary Party
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1926–? | Down-with-Imperialism Union
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Red flag with the abbreviation ㅌ.ㄷ in the middle |
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1909–1940s | Korean National Association
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Red flag with yellow canton bearing red-blue taegeuk. |
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1913–current |  Young Korean Academy
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1949–present | Flag of the Workers' Party of Korea | Combination of a hammer (workers), a writing brush (intellectuals) and a Korean sickle (peasants), crossed over a red field. |
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1946–present | Flag of the Socialist Patriotic Youth League | Emblem of Youth League on a red flag, with "Youth" (청년) on the emblem. |
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1945–present | Flag of the Socialist Women's Union of Korea | Red-white-red flag with the name of the organization: "Women's League" (녀성동맹). |
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1955–present | Flag of the Korean Youth League in Japan | Tricolor flag with the League's logo. |
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?–present | Flag of the People Power Party | Red flag with the party emblem in the middle. |
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?–present | Flag of the Justice Party | White flag with the party emblem in the middle. |
North Korean government
edit| Flag | Date | Use | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| Standard of the chairman of the State Affairs Commission | |||
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2018–present | Flag of the chairman of the State Affairs Commission
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Emblem of the chairman of the State Affairs Commission on a dark red field. |
| Flag of the National Government | |||
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2023–present | Flag of the Ministry of Social Security, also flag of the Social Security Forces | |
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2023–present | Flag of the Ministry of State Security | |
South Korean government
edit| Flag | Date | Use | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| Presidential standard | |||
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1967–present | Presidential Standard
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Two Phoenix taking golden Hibiscus syriacus under their wings. |
| Standard of the prime minister | |||
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1988–present | Standard of the prime minister
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Golden Hibiscus syriacus inlaid in symbolic Hibiscus syriacus insignia |
| Flag of the National Government | |||
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1988–2016 | Flag of the National Government
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Symbolic Hibiscus syriacus insignia, inlaid with the word 정부 ("Government"). |
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2016–present | Flag of the National Government
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Symbolic Taeguk insignia, with wordmark in Korean 대한민국정부 ("Government of the Republic of Korea"). |
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2005–present | Flag of the South Korean national police agency. | Insignia of the South Korean National Police, with the words 경찰청 ("Police Agency") |
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2005–present | Flag of the South Korean coast guard | Insignia of the South Korean coast guard, with the words 해양경찰청 ("Maritime Police Agency") |
| Flag of the Committee for the Five Northern Korean Provinces | |||
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1949–2016 | Flag of the Committee for the Five Northern Korean Provinces
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White flag with a Hibiscus syriacus superimposed by a blue delta symbol represented north |
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2016–present | Flag of the Committee for the Five Northern Korean Provinces
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Symbolic Taeguk insignia, with grey words 이북5도위원회 ("Committee for the Five Northern [Korean] Provinces") |
Military
edit| Flag | Date | Use | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
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4th century | Military Flag of Goguryeo
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A banner with a simple red field. |
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Mid 5th Century | Military Flag of Goguryeo
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A black 4-pointed banner with 3 white stripes. |
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Late 5th Century | Military Flag of Goguryeo
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A red swallowtail banner with a yellow stripe. |
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Military Flag of Baekje
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A banner with a simple yellow field. | |
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Military Flag of Silla
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A banner with a blue field with a white crescent moon in the center. | |
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 Flag of the commander of Joseon
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A banner with Lo shu magic square. | |
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Flag of the commander Eo Jae-yeon
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As one of the military flags of the Joseon Dynasty, it is called Sujagi (帥字旗) or Sugi (帥旗). During the Joseon Dynasty, it was hung as a mark of the general in the military camp. As for the shape, the word for "command" (帥) is engraved in black letters on the pressed color, and some have a dream (decoration of the flag) around the flag. |
North Korea
edit| Flag | Date | Use | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
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1996–2002 | Flag of the Supreme Commander of the Korean People's Army | |
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2002–2022[7] | The Supreme Commander Star on a red flag. Sometimes used as a war flag during military exercises. | |
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1948 | Flag of the Korean People's Army
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Initially designed in 1948 with 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. |
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1948–1961 | Used only as ceremonial unit color especially for Guards units beginning 2013. | |
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1961–1992[8] | Latest version shown; emblem adopted in 1992.[8] 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). | |
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1992–1993 | Emblem of DPRK updated to the one featuring the Paektu Mountain. | |
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1948–1993 (reverse) |
With a red star with golden border and bearing a hammer and two sickles. | |
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1948–1961 (reverse) |
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. | |
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1993–2023 | Flag of the General Staff of the Korean People's Army | Seen used during the October 1995 parade, observed very rarely. |
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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. | |
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Party symbol placed within a design containing the façade of the WPK headquarters in Pyongyang.[9] | ||
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1993–2023[10] | Flag of the People's Army Ground Force
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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).[8]
Until the death of Kim Il Sung, the slogan "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!) was also used. When Kim Jong Il was in power, the slogan used between 1997–2011 was: "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!). Until the flag replacement in 2023, the slogan "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!) was also used. The 4.25 commemorates the foundation of People's Anti-Japanese Guerrilla Army on April 25, 1932.[8] Also used since 2020 by the Special Operations and Strategic Forces as branch and unit colours. |
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Reverse side of the flag of the Korean People's Army Ground Force. | 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. | |
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2023–present | Flag of the People's Army Ground Force
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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. |
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Reverse side of the flag of the Korean People's Army Ground Force. | 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!)[9] | |
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1993–2023[10] | Flag of the People's Navy
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Emblem of KPA with anchor. 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).
Until the death of Kim Il Sung, the slogan "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!) was also used. When Kim Jong Il was in power, the slogan used between 1997–2011 was: "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!). Until the flag replacement in 2023, the slogan "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!) was also used. |
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Reverse side of the flag of the flag of Korean People's Navy. | 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. | |
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2023–present | Flag of the People's Navy
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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 stabling 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. |
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Reverse side of the flag of the flag of Korean People's Navy. | 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!)[9] | |
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1990s–present | Naval ensign of North Korea
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Red flag with Paektu Mountain in rays in a disc with national color outlines and a red star. |
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1990s–present | Naval Ensign of North Korea for Guards Units
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1990s–present | Naval Jack of North Korea
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1993–2023,[10] (insignia updated in 2012) | Flag of the Korean People's Army Air and Anti-Air Force
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Emblem of KPA with wings. 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).
Until the death of Kim Il Sung, the slogan "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!) was also used. When Kim Jong Il was in power, the slogan used between 1997–2011 was: "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!). Until the flag replacement in 2023, the slogan "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!) was also used. |
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1993–2023 | Reverse side of the flag of the Korean People's Army Air and Anti-Air Force. | 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. |
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2023–present | Flag of the Korean People's Army Air and Anti-Air Force | 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. |
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Reverse side of the flag of the Korean People's Army Air and Anti-Air Force. | 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!)[9] | |
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2018–2020 | Flag of the Strategic Force
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Emblem of KPA on an upper half globe |
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?–present
(First appearance in 2018) |
Reverse side of the flag of the flag of the Korean People's Army Strategic Force. | 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. |
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2023–present | Flag of the Missile General Bureau | The Flag of the Missile General Bureau is seen with its Emblem in a large form with the founding date of 2016.4.30, 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. 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!) | |||
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2018–2020 | Flag of the Special Operation Force
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Emblem of KPA with the Big Dipper. |
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?–present
(First appearance in 2018) |
Reverse side of the flag of the flag of the Korean People's Army Special Operation Force. | 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. |
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2007–2023 | Flag of the Worker-Peasant Red Guards | Slogan used until 2012, since then the flag shares the same motto as the rest of the KPA. |
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Reverse side of the flag of the Worker-Peasant Red Guards | With Korean letters reading "Worker-Peasant Red Guards". | |
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2023–Present | Flag of the Worker-Peasant Red Guards | The slogan reads "For the endless prosperity of the fatherland and the security of the people! (조국의 무궁한 번영과 인민의 안녕을 위하여)" |
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With Korean letters reading "Worker-Peasant Red Guards". |
South Korea
edit| Flag | Date | Use | Description |
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1948–present | Flag of the Armed Forces
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Insignia of the armed forces on a red field. |
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?–present | Flag of the Minister of National Defense
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?–present | Flag of the Vice Minister of National Defense
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?–present | Flag of the Joint Chiefs of Staff
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?–present | Flag of the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff
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1946–present | Flag of the Army
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Insignia of the army on a field parted per fess; above is white, below is blue. |
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?–present | Flag of the Chief of Staff of the Army
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?–present | Flag of the Daejang
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?–present | Flag of the Jungjang
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?–present | Flag of the Sojang
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?–present | Flag of the Junjang
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1955–present | Naval ensign, navy flag, and naval jack | Taegeuk on crossed anchors in a white canton on a blue field |
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?–present | Flag of the Chief of Naval Operations
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?–present | Flag of the Daejang
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?–present | Flag of the Jungjang
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?–present | Flag of the Sojang
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?–present | Flag of the Junjang
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1952–present | Flag of the Marine Corps
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The similarity with the flag of the United States Marine Corps shows the strong influence of the United States since the creation of South Korean armed forces. |
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?–present | Flag of the Commandant of the Marine Corps
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?–present | Flag of the Jungjang
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?–present | Flag of the Sojang
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?–present | Flag of the Junjang
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1952–present | Flag of the Air Force
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It is also used as the flag of the Air Force |
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?–present | Flag of the Chief of Staff of the Air Force
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?–present | Flag of the Daejang
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?–present | Flag of the Jungjang
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?–present | Flag of the Sojang
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?–present | Flag of the Junjang
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1968–present | Flag of the Republic of Korea Reserve Forces |
See also
editReferences
edit
- ^ Myers, Brian Reynolds (7 February 2018). "On the February 8 Parade and the Olympics". Sthele Press. Retrieved 9 February 2018.
By forbearing to march behind the yin-yang flag at the opening ceremony of the Olympics, the South Korean athletes are making a bigger sacrifice than the North Koreans... [T]he peninsula flag means two very different things to the two Koreas. In the South it symbolizes a desire for peaceful co-existence, or at most for a unification of equal partners in the reassuringly remote future. In wall posters above the DMZ it has always symbolized the southern masses' yearning for "autonomous unification", meaning absorption by the North. It's worrying to think how inner-track propaganda is certain to misrepresent the South Koreans' eschewal of their state flag for this of all symbols — and at this of all events.
- ^ 봉기(鳳旗) (in Korean). War Memorial of Korea. Archived from the original on 2 February 2017. Retrieved 15 November 2021.
- ^ a b "History of the South Korean flag". www.crwflags.com.
- ^ a b c Kariyasu, Nozomi (July 2009). The History of Taegeuk Flags [of South Korea] (PDF). 23rd International Congress of Vexillology. Yokohama, Japan: International Federation of Vexillological Associations.
- ^ "Ministry of Education Notice No. 2". Official Gazette. 15 October 1949. Retrieved 18 January 2022.
- ^ 관보 [Official Gazette] (in Korean). Government of the Republic of Korea. 25 October 1997. p. 25. Retrieved 5 June 2024.
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