text: Ground Forces 1997–2011 (also used as unofficial flag of the entire KPA): Colour in national flag colours but with KPA emblem in gold and gold Hangul motto on the top and bottom blue stripes reading "Let us defend the headquarters of the revolution headed by the great Comrade Kim Jong Il with our lives!" () with the name of Kim Jong Il slightly enlarged, gold motto also used in the flags of the other branches
  Air Force 1993–present: Emblem of KPA with wings (emblem updated in 2012), top large half in air force blue and small bottom half dark blue, with 6 alternating stripes (3 dark blue, 3 air force blue) and a silhouette of fighter jets below the emblem, formerly gold wings and a gold star above the emblem
  Navy 1993–present: Emblem of KPA with gold four anchor above, bicolour of white and navy blue with 5 alternating stripes between the large stripes (3 dark blue, 2 white)
  Strategic Forces (former colour): Green with emblem of the KPA and a larger wreath above a stylized top of a globe, with light yellow stripes below the globe
  Special Operations Forces (former colour): Dark Blue with emblem of the KPA and a larger wreath, with the Big Dipper below the 4.25 mark
  Revolutionary military schools: Red with KPA emblem and Hangul motto in gold lettering above and below