Month after Kim Jong Un death rumours, North Korea makes historic flag change for first time in 78 years

Days after North Korea's leader Kim Jong-un death rumours surfaced online, the country is making headlines again as it has changed the proportions of its national flag. This is for the first time in 78 years since the regime's founding in 1948, reports Korea Joon Gang Daily. The move is seen as part of leader Kim Jong-un's efforts to establish a national identity distinct from his predecessors', following his removal of references to reunification from the Constitution under his “two hostile states” policy. The DPRK government’s official website Naenara recently began displaying a flag with the aspect ratio 1:1.65, replacing the previous banner using the 1:2 ratio.

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North Korea redesigns its flag

The North Korea's flag revision reduces the flag's width compared with its previous 1:2 ratio while preserving its core design. This includes the central red band, the white and blue stripes running above and below it, and the red five-pointed star.


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In a separate section of its website, North Korea explained the symbolism behind the flag's colours. The red band represents the blood shed by anti-Japanese revolutionary fighters, while the white circle and stripes signify loyalty to the ruling party and its leader. The blue stripes, meanwhile, represent anti-imperialist independence, world peace, friendship and the country's sovereignty.

What is the reason behind it?

The change is being viewed as part of Kim's broader efforts to redefine North Korea's national identity and symbols. In 2024, the country revised the lyrics of its national anthem, replacing the phrase “three thousand ri” — a reference to the entire Korean Peninsula — with “this world.” A ri is a traditional Korean unit of distance equivalent to approximately 0.25 miles.

“Changing the flag's proportions while preserving its basic design is an attempt to carry forward the legacy of previous leaders while establishing a distinct national identity for the Kim Jong-un era,” Lim Eul-chul, a professor at Kyungnam University's Institute for Far Eastern Studies, said. “The change also signifies the institutionalization of the 'two hostile states' policy at the constitutional level and through national symbols.”

Kim Jong Un's death rumours

The development comes days after unverified social media claims about Kim Jong Un's death from a brain haemorrhage triggered widespread speculation on social media. North Korea then shared fresh images of dictator Kim Jong Un attending a garment and footwear exhibition.

Photographs published by state newspaper Rodong Sinmun show the 42-year-old dictator touring what the paper said was a clothing and footwear exhibition with his daughter.

In 2020, a high-profile North Korean defector claimed he was "99% certain" Kim had died following cardiovascular surgery. Not long afterwards, Kim appeared in public and the claim unravelled.

According to BBC, Kim is overweight and a heavy smoker. South Korea's National Intelligence Service has repeatedly warned that his lifestyle puts him at higher risk of cardiovascular disease. Heart problems and strokes also run in the Kim family.

South Korea's intelligence agency believes Kim Jong may be preparing his 13-year-old daughter as a successor. She has increasingly appeared at high-profile events and military displays.