SYMBOLS OF THE DEMOCRATIC PEOPLE’S REPUBLIC OF KOREA

NATIONAL EMBLEM

The national emblem was instituted on September 9, 1948 when the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea was founded. The emblem bears the design of a grand hydraulic power station under Mt. Paektu, a sacred mountain of revolution, and the beams of a five-pointed red star, with ears of rice forming an oval frame and bound with a red ribbon bearing the inscription, “The Democratic People’s Republic of Korea.”

The five-pointed red star and its beams on the upper side of the emblem symbolize the brilliant prospect of the Korean people struggling to build a thriving socialist country, realize national reunification independently and peacefully and complete the revolutionary cause of Juche. Mt. Paektu underneath represents the revolutionary cause of Juche pioneered by President Kim Il Sung, founding father of socialist Korea, and the revolutionary traditions created during the anti-Japanese revolutionary struggle in the first half of the last century under his leadership. The hydraulic power station in the middle of the emblem represents strong heavy industry and the working class, while the ears of rice stand for the socialist rural economy and the farmers. The oval frame symbolizes the invincible unity of the Korean people rallied firmly around the Workers’ Party of Korea. “The Democratic People’s Republic of Korea” inscribed on the red ribbon is the official title of the country, which is an independent, democratic and people-oriented country representing the interests of the Korean people.

NATIONAL FLAG

The flag was also instituted on September 9, 1948. It consists of a central red panel, bordered both above and below by a narrow white stripe and a broad blue stripe. The central red panel bears a five-pointed red star within a white circle near the hoist.

The red colour of the flag represents the red blood shed by the anti-Japanese revolutionary forerunners who fought for the liberation and independence of the country and the invincible might of the Korean people rallied firmly around the Republic. The white colour is symbolic of the fact that the Republic is a homogeneous nation who have lived honestly on the same territory with the same blood, language and culture. The blue colour represents lively image of the Korean people who are struggling for the victory of the socialist cause and their spirit of fighting for the peace and progress of the world. The five-pointed red star stands for the resourceful people advancing vigorously carrying forward the revolutionary traditions of the anti-Japanese revolution and the prospect of development of the Republic.

NATIONAL ANTHEM

The DPRK’s national anthem is Patriotic Song, created in 1947, a year before its founding. It sings in praise of the beautiful nature, abundant resources, pride and self-respect of the Korean people who are blessed with a prolonged history of 5 000 years and excellent cultural traditions, and their ardent patriotism to build a prosperous country and add brilliance to it under the leadership of the WPK.

The words of the song are as follows;

1.          Shine bright, you dawn, on this land so fair,  

The country of three thousand ri,

So rich in silver and in gold you are,

Five thousand years your history.

Our people ever were renowned and sage, 

And rich in cultural heritage,

And as with heart and soul we strive,

Korea shall forever thrive!

2.          And in the spirit of Mount Paektu,

With love of toil that shall never die,

With will of iron fostered by the truth,

We’ll lead the whole world by and by.

We have the might to foil the angry sea,

Our land more prosperous still shall be,

As by the people’s will we strive,

Korea shall forever thrive!

NATIONAL FLOWER

The blossom of magnolia is the national flower of the DPRK. Magnolia is a leaf-falling bush which grows in valleys and on mountain slopes except in the northern highlands. It grows 2-5 metres tall, and white and fragrant flowers bloom on new branches between May and June. Each flower lasts for 50-60 days. The flower is 7-10 centimetres in diameter (15cm at the maximum) and there are 6-9 petals and three sepals. It is highly resistant to cold, and grows well in the climatic conditions of Korea.

This stout, simple and ennobling as well as beautiful and fragrant flower is symbolic of the Korean people.

NATIONAL BIRD

Goshawk, Accipiter gentilis, is the national bird of the DPRK. It inhabits in mountainous areas in the central and northern parts of Korea. It is 48-61 centimetres long and 0.7-1.2 kilograms heavy. Its wings are usually 30-37 centimetres long, and when they are unfolded, the whole body becomes 105-130 centimetres wide. It has a sharp hook-shaped beak and strong talons. It is tawny in body colour and has four dark brown bands on the upper part of the tail.

Though it is not large in size, this bird has well-balanced appearance, bright eyes, sharp beak, strong talons, very swift speed, clever and impetuous character. These characteristics are symbolic of the traits of Koreans who force their way through any difficulties without being bound by anything.