North Korea changes national flag proportions after 78 years

North Korea has revised the official proportions of its national flag for the first time since the country’s establishment in 1948, according to a constitutional amendment published on November 13.

Article 166 of the revised constitution sets the flag’s height-to-width ratio at 1:1.65, replacing the previous ratio of 1:2.

The adjustment makes the flag narrower while retaining its familiar design, including a red central stripe, blue bands, white stripes and a red five-pointed star.

The change marks the first official revision to the flag’s proportions in 78 years, although its overall appearance remains unchanged.

Analysts suggest the move could be linked to North Korean leader Kim Jong Un’s efforts to reinforce the country’s distinct national identity and emphasise its status as a separate state from South Korea.

The revision comes amid increasingly strained relations between the two Koreas, as Pyongyang has adopted a more hostile position towards Seoul.