Suggested citations
AGLC4 | 국기법 2012 [National Flag Law of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (2012)] [tr Daye Gang].
Bluebook | Gukgibeob 2012 [National Flag Law of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (2012)] translated in Law and North Korea by Daye Gang, https://www.lawandnorthkorea.com/.
Adopted on October 22, Juche 81 (1992), as Decision No. 20 of the Standing Committee of the Supreme People’s Assembly
Amended and supplemented on December 10, Juche 87 (1998), as Directive No. 251 of the Presidium of the Supreme People’s Assembly
Amended and supplemented on May 4, Juche 89 (2000), as Directive No. 1533 of the Presidium of the Supreme People’s Assembly
Amended and supplemented on July 24, Juche 89 (2000), as Directive No. 1676 of the Presidium of the Supreme People’s Assembly
Amended and supplemented on July 19, Juche 90 (2001), as Directive No. 2438 of the Presidium of the Supreme People’s Assembly
Amended and supplemented on October 24, Juche 91 (2002), as Directive No. 3370 of the Presidium of the Supreme People’s Assembly
Amended and supplemented on July 8, Juche 97 (2008), as Directive No. 2278 of the Presidium of the Supreme People’s Assembly
Amended and supplemented on March 31, Juche 98 (2009), as Directive No. 3157 of the Presidium of the Supreme People’s Assembly
Amended and supplemented on May 5, Juche 98 (2009), as Directive No. 37 of the Presidium of the Supreme People’s Assembly
Amended and supplemented on May 11, Juche 99 (2010), as Directive No. 835 of the Presidium of the Supreme People’s Assembly
Amended and supplemented on April 3, Juche 101 (2012), as Directive No. 2303 of the Presidium of the Supreme People’s Assembly
CHAPTER I. BASICS OF NATIONAL FLAG LAW
Article 1 (Objectives of National Flag Law)
The National Flag Law of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea shall adopt systems and order in the manufacture, use, flag hoisting ceremonies, storage, and management of the national flag so that the people have the correct awareness about the national flag and keep the dignity of the State, and shall serve to raise the mentality of loving the nation.
Article 2 (Symbolism of national flag and principle of protection)
The national flag of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea is a symbol of the dignity and Sovereignty of the State, the well-being of our people, and our resplendent prospects. The State shall ensure that all institutions, enterprises, organizations and citizens treat, use, and protect the national flag with respect.
Article 3 (Operating principles and significance of the national flag)
In the national flag of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea is infused the red blood of the patriotic fighters and heroic warriors who have thrown themselves into fighting for the independence of the nation and the freedom and well-being of the people, and it contains the revolutionary spirit of our people who are struggling for the prosperity and the development of wealth and power of the country. All citizens must know well the noble meaning contained in the national flag, and must be devoted to the nation and the people.
Article 4 (Form and colour of national flag)
The national flag of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea is a navy and red flag in a rectangle where the horizontal length is longer. The national flag shall have a wide red stripe in the centre, thin white stripes above and below, then blue stripes, and on the side of the flagpole in the red stripe there is a red five-pointed star inside the white circle. The State shall make and use the national flag in conformity with its designated form and colours.
CHAPTER II. SPECIFICATIONS AND MANUFACTURE OF NATIONAL FLAG
Article 5 (National flag specifications and standards of colours)
The specifications and standards of colour of the national flag are as follows.
1. The ratio of the vertical and horizontal of the national flag is 1 to 2. In cases where it is draped at a place like a meeting venue or event hall or it is printed, visibilised, or used as decoration, the ratio of vertical and horizontal of the national flag may be different to 1 to 2 to suit the relevant place and subject as necessary.
2. The stripes of the national flag, red stars, spot in the centre of the white circle, white circle and ratio of the diameter of the circumscribed circle of the red star shall follow Appendix 1 of this law.
3. The colour of the national flag shall take as the standard each centre part of the red and blue colours of sunshine appearing through a prism.
Article 6 (Classification of national flag specifications)
The size of the national flag shall have eight specifications in conformity with the uses. The specifications shall follow Appendix 2 of this law. In cases where the vertical and horizontal ratios of the national flag have been designed differently from 1 to 2 as necessary, the specifications may be decided differently from Appendix 2 in conformity with it.
Article 7 (National flag manufacturer)
The national flag shall be manufactured at an institution or enterprise determined by the regional People’s Committee. Relevant institutions and enterprises shall manufacture the national flag with high quality fabric made by introducing cutting edge techniques such as nanotechnology. National flags that do not conform to the specifications and colours determined by the State may not be manufactured and supplied or sold.
Article 8 (Manufacture of national flags for draping)
Institutions and enterprises that make national flags may make national flags where the five-pointed star lies straight to be used for draping downwards.
Article 9 (Gold tassels of national flags)
National flags made to be used in diplomatic ceremonies may have national flags attached. Gold tassels shall not be attached in the portion connected to the flagpole. The length of the gold tassels shall be one eighth of the vertical of the national flag where the gold tassel is sought to be attached.
Article 10 (Material and colour of flagpole)
Flagpoles shall be made of things such as wood or tube drawing, and the colour will be things such as blue or white.
Article 11 (Length of flagpole)
The length of a flagpole shall be done in conformity with the national flag by specification and use. Specifications shall follow Appendix 3 of this law.
Article 12 (Installation of flagpole)
Flagpoles must be installed like the following in public buildings, homes, plazas, and schoolyards to suit their scale.
1. Flagpoles may be erected at the centre of the roof of public buildings.
2. Flagpoles shall be erected at the front gates or in a highly visible place to the left of the front gates opposite places such as public buildings, in front of homes, plazas, and schoolyards, and may be erected in different locations according to circumstances.
3. Flagpoles may be erected in required places in streets and villages.
4. In cases where more than 2 flagpoles are erected, they shall be erected in conformity with the surrounding environment, and the distance between the flagpoles shall be wider than the length of the national flag that is raised.
Article 13 (Tips of flagpole)
The tip of a flagpole shall be in the form of a sword. In necessary cases, the form of a flagpole tip may be made differently.
Article 14 (Colour of State flagpole tip)
The colour of a flagpole tip shall be silver or gold. In special cases, the colour may be different.
Article 15 (Diameter of flagpole tip)
The diameter of a flagpole tip shall be one tenth of the vertical of the national flag.
CHAPTER III. USE OF NATIONAL FLAG
Article 16 (Institutions and places that routinely fly or drape the national flag)
The national flag shall be routinely flown or draped in the following institutions and places.
1. Kumsusan Memorial Palace, Democratic People’s Republic of Korea National Defence Commission, Presidium of the Supreme People’s Assembly, Cabinet, Mansudae Assembly Hall
2. Province (or municipality directly under central authority) People’s Committee
3. Courtroom at each level
4. Civil aviation airports and important ports
5. Democratic People’s Republic of Korea missions presiding in other countries
6. The national flag may also be routinely flown or draped in other required places and the government office buildings of overseas Korean residents' organizations.
Article 17 (Use in during holidays and events)
The national flag shall be flown or draped during State holidays and memorial days, deputy election days for People’s Assemblies at each level, and the buildings, homes, streets, and villages of institutions, enterprises and organizations during important State events. In these cases, the dignity of the national flag shall be assured as the symbol of the State, and must fly or drape it in many forms so that they harmoniously suit the surrounding environment.
Article 18 (Use at meeting venue)
The national flag may be flown or draped at places such as meeting venues, election halls, conference centers, event halls, sports venues, and exhibition centers. In these cases, the national flag may be flown or draped in many kinds of forms in conformity with the nature of the relevant place or event.
Article 19 (Use at demonstrations, rallies, and sports matches)
Institutions, enterprises, organizations and citizens may use the national flag at places like demonstrations, rallies, and sports matches.
Article 20 (Use in car of head of a foreign mission)
The national flag may be attached to the car of the head of a mission of our country presiding in other countries.
Article 21 (Use for diplomatic ceremonies)
The national flag may be used in cases of diplomatic ceremonies. In these cases, the order of national flag use shall be determined by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Article 22 (Use for performing military duties)
The national flag may be used while performing military duties. In these cases, the order of using national flags shall be determined by the Ministry of People's Armed Forces.
Article 23 (Use on ships)
Ships holding the nationality of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea and and ships of other countries who enter the territorial waters of our country must fly or drape the national flag of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea. In these cases, the order of using the national flag shall be determined by the central marine guidance institution.
Article 24 (Half-mast)
The national flag may be flown at half-mast.
Article 25 (Time period for flying and lowering the national flag)
Institutions, enterprises, organizations and citizens must abide by time periods for flying and lowering the national flag. The time period for flying the national flag between April and September shall be 7~8AM, and the time period for lowering it shall be 7~8PM, and the time period for flying the national flag between October to March of next year shall be from 8~9AM, and the time period for lowering it shall be 5~6PM.
Article 26 (Change in time period for using national flag)
In cases where the national flag is flown or lowered during events or foreign mission government office buildings, street, or villages, or flown or lowered at half-mast, the time period for using it may be determined in conformity with the setting.
Article 27 (Restriction on use of national flag)
Buildings and places not pointed out in Article 16 of this law may not fly the national flag in cases where the weather is extremely bad.
Article 28 (Method of hoisting national flag)
In cases where the national flag is flown or hung, the following shall be done.
1. The responsible worker of an institutions, enterprises and organizations shall fly it with an assisting member.
2. The national flag shall be flowy raised and flown to the end of the flagpole.
3. In cases where the national flag is flown together with things such as a flag of an institution, enterprise or organization or the five-colour flag, the national flag shall be flown first. In these cases, the national flag shall be flown on the opposite left or the centre, and it shall be flown higher than the other flags.
4. In cases where the national flag is raised together with things like the flags of other institutions, enterprises and organizations, or a five-colour flag, for a lineup parade, it shall be raised in front of other flags.
5. In cases where the national flag of the Republic is flown or attached with the national flags of other countries, only the flags of countries approving our country shall be used.
6. In cases where the national flag of the Republic is flown or attached together with the national flags of other countries, the size and height must be the same.
7. In cases where the national flag of the Republic is flown in intersection with the national flags of other countries, they will be placed opposite each other and the national flag of the Republic shall be flown on the left, and the flagpole shall be placed in front of the flagpoles of other countries.
8. In cases where the national flag is flown at half-mast, it shall be lowered and flown by half of the length of the vertical of the national flag from the top of the flagpole. In these cases, the national flag shall be raised to the end of the flagpole and then lowered. The national flag may be used half-mast and may be flown together with a black ribbon. The length of the ribbon shall be the same as the length of the national flag, and the width shall be one eighth of the vertical of the national flag. The black ribbon shall be attached at the upper knot of the half-mast.
Article 29 (Prohibitions on the use of the national flag that do not conform to specifications)
Institutions, enterprises, organizations and citizens must not use national flags that are damaged, faded, or that do not conform to specifications.
Article 30 (Method for lowering national flag)
In cases of lowering the national flag, it shall be done like in the following way.
1. At institutions, enterprises and organizations, the responsible worker or the person in charge of the work on the day shall lower it together with an assisting member.
2. The national flag shall be lowered slowly.
3. A national flag used at half-mast shall be raised to the top of the flagpole and then lowered.
Article 31 (Printing, visibilising, decorating the national flag)
The national flag may be printed on places like award certificates, publications, invitations, works of art, insignia, visual materials, products, airplanes, and ships, and may be visibilised or used as decoration.
CHAPTER IV. NATIONAL FLAG HOISTING CEREMONY
Article 32 (Preparation for national flag hoisting ceremony)
The State must well prepare national flag hoisting ceremonies by the relevant institution or unit, and must conduct the ceremony solemnly.
Article 33 (Date of national flag hoisting ceremony)
The national flag hoisting ceremony shall be done on the days of the greatest holidays on 15 April, 16 February, the Day of the Foundation of the Republic, Party Foundation Day, Constitution Day, Military Foundation Day, and the Day of Victory in the Great Fatherland Liberation War. In cases where things like important events and and sports matches for the State are held, a national flag hoisting ceremony may be done in the relevant place.
Article 34 (Time period for national flag hoisting ceremony)
The national flag hoisting ceremony shall be done on the morning of a holiday or the afternoon of the day before the holiday.
Article 35 (Institutions that conduct national flag hoisting ceremonies)
National flag hoisting ceremonies shall be conducted by province (or municipality directly under central authority), city (or district), county locations, Korean People’s Army (including Korean People's Internal Security Forces) corps and troops, people’s safety institutions higher than county level, schools (including training institutions) at each level, juvenile camps, and other institutions and enterprises determined by the Cabinet. However, schools (including training institutions) at each level may not hold flag hoisting ceremonies during holiday periods.
Article 36 (Place of national flag hoisting ceremony)
The national flag hoisting ceremony of Pyongyang city workers shall be done at Kim Il-sung Square. The national flag hoisting ceremony for other units shall be done in places that have flagpoles.
Article 37 (Participating members of national flag hoisting ceremonies)
National flag hoisting ceremonies shall be conducted with the participation of the responsible workers and members of the relevant units.
Article 38 (Etiquette during the national flag hoisting ceremony)
Citizens participating in a national flag hoisting ceremony shall stand at attendance towards the national flag upon the performance of the national anthem, and must observe the national flag respectfully. In cases where there is no performance, they must stand at attendance and observe the national flag respectfully until the hoisting of the national flag is finished. Citizens and Children’s Union members in military uniforms or uniforms shall do the military salute or the Children’s Union salute, and in cases where they have collectively participated, only the person in charge of the ranks shall salute, and the other members must observe the national flag respectfully while standing at attendance. A citizen passing by the place of a national flag hoisting ceremony must stop their steps and must observe the national flag respectfully while standing at attendance.
Article 39 (Process and method of national flag hoisting ceremony)
A national flag hoisting ceremony shall be conducted using the following process and method.
1. The host shall announce the start of the national flag hoisting ceremony.
2. The responsible worker shall take the national flag out of the flag display case with two to four assisting members and attach it to the flagpole halyard.
3. The national anthem shall be performed the moment the responsible worker pulls on the flagpole halyard. In some cases, it may not be performed. A tabor band may participate as necessary.
4. Assisting members for hosting a national flag shall stand foursquare or on the left and right with the flagpole at the centre on the occasion of ending the assistance, and shall exit when the national flag hoisting ceremony ends.
5. When the national flag hoisting ends, the host shall announce the end of the national flag hoisting ceremony. At this time, a chant may be called in conformity with the nature of the relevant units.
Article 40 (National flag lowering ceremony)
There shall be no national flag lowering ceremony.
CHAPTER V. STORAGE AND MANAGEMENT OF NATIONAL FLAG
Article 41 (National flag storage case)
Institutions, enterprises, organizations and citizens must place the national flag in a storage case and must carefully store it. A national flag storage case must be made to match the size of the national flag.
Article 42 (Prevention of damage to national flag)
In cases where the national flag is used, it must be handled carefully so that the flag is not damaged or disarranged.
Article 43 (Management of national flag during bad weather)
Institutions, enterprises, organizations and citizens shall ensure that a flown national flag is not damaged, and in cases where the weather is particularly bad, it shall be lowered and stored or managed in conformity with the circumstances.
Article 44 (Prohibiting acts of damaging the dignity of the national flag)
Institutions, enterprises, organizations and citizens must not use the national flag in places like logos, or for other places where the dignity of the national flag can be damaged.
Article 45 (Treatment of national flags that have been damaged or faded)
Institutions, enterprises, organizations and citizens must treat damaged or faded national flags according to the relevant process.
CHAPTER VI. GUIDANCE AND CONTROL OVER MANUFACTURE AND USE, FLAG HOISTING CEREMONIES, STORAGE AND MANAGEMENT OF NATIONAL FLAG
Article 46 (Central guidance control institution related to the national flag)
Guidance on manufacture and use, flag hoisting ceremonies, and storage and management of the national flag shall be done by Cabinet under the standardized guidance of the Presidium of the Supreme People’s Assembly.
Article 47 (Guidance for local political institutions related to the national flag)
Regional People’s Committees shall normally discover and command the manufacture and use, flag hoisting ceremonies, and storage and management and must responsibly guide it.
Article 48 (Supervision and control related to the national flag)
Supervision and control for the manufacture and use, flag hoisting ceremonies, and storage and management for the national flag shall be done by the regional People’s Committee and the relevant supervision and control institution. The regional People’s Committee and the relevant supervision and control institution must normally supervise and control the state of national flag manufacture and use, and storage and management.
Article 49 (Administrative or criminal responsibility)
Responsible workers of institutions, enterprises and organizations and individual citizens who have caused grave consequences by violating the order of national flag manufacture and use, flag hoisting ceremonies, and storage and management shall have administrative or criminal responsibility imposed depending on the gravity.
Appendix I
The rations of the stripes of the colours on the national flag, the red star, the centre spot on the white circle, the white circle, and the diameter of the circumscribed circle of the red star
1. The national flag shall be divided into 6 vertically and one sixth on each side shall be a blue stripe on the top and the bottom, and the remaining four sixths shall be divided into 24 and one twenty-fourth at the top and the bottom shall each be a white stripe, and twenty-two twenty-fourths shall be the red stripe.
2. The centre spot of the red star and the centre spot of the white circle shall be the intersection point of the vertical bisector of the national flag and the horizontal trisector on the flagpole side.
3. The diameter of the white circle shall be the length of two thirds of the addition of the verticals of the red stripes and the white stripes of the national flag, and the diameter of the circle circumscribing the red star shall be half the length of the vertical of the white stripe from the diameter of the white circle. The points of the red star shall not touch the circumference of the white circle.
Appendix II Specifications of national flag by use (horizontal×vertical)
1. More than 400cm× more than 200cm
2. More than 340cm× more than 170cm
3. More than 280cm× more than 140cm
4. More than 200cm× more than 100cm
5. More than 140cm× more than 70cm
6. More than 80cm× more than 40cm
7. More than 50cm× more than 25cm
8. More than 30cm× more than 15cm
Appendix III Specifications of flagpoles that follow the size of the national flag (length)
1. More than 12m
2. More than 10m
3. More than 8m
4. More than 6m
5. More than 4m
6. More than 2m
7. More than 0.5m
8. More than 0.3m
Appendix IV National flag manufacture design
Last updated 4 June 2021