North Korea

Democratic People's Republic of Korea (North Korea)

The country today known as the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (조선민주주의인민공화국) or DPRK was formed in 1948. Following the Second World War, the Korean peninsula was divided in two zones along the 38th parallel, with the northern half occupied by the Soviet Union and the southern half occupied by the United States. Land reforms were immediately instituted in the North, and many fled to the south to escape retaliation. The Democratic People’s Republic of Korea was officially established in 1948. At Soviet urging, and with an eye to unifying Korea under socialism, North Korea invaded and quickly overran the south in June 1950, ushering in the Korean War. In response, a United Nations force led by the United States intervened, pushing North Korean forces out of the south and swiftly advancing towards the border with China. When Chinese forces stepped in to support the North, allied forces were pushed back again. By July 1953, an armistice was signed by all sides and the original boundaries of the two nations were restored, with a heavily guarded Demilitarized Zone (DMZ) imposed as a buffer to ease tensions between the two nations. In subsequent years, relations with South Korea have been marked by subterfuge, political intrigue, border skirmishes and saber rattling. An attempt at establishing discussions to work towards peaceful reunification failed in 1973.

The country has been headed by a member of the Kim family since it became a Democratic Republic. Efforts by both the USSR and China to replace Kim Il-sun were resisted, although the country maintained alignment with both nations for years. His successor Kim Jong-il adopted a policy of Songun (military first), which greatly increased the country’s military resources, strengthened state security, restricted travel, and may have been responsible for the country’s inability to avoid famine in the late 1990s. Upon his death in 2011 he was succeeded by his son Kim Jong-un, who has continued the Songun policy, to include ballistic missile and nuclear weapons development programs.

The Korean People's Army (조선인민군) or KPA is a blanket term for the entire armed forces of the country, which includes a number of service branches. The North Korean armed forces consist of the following: KPA Ground Force, KPA Navy, KPA Air Force, KPA Strategic (Missile) Force, KPA Special Operations Forces, and the KPA Missile Administration. There are well over one million active duty military personnel, as well as more than half a million reservists. The Korean People's Army Special Operations Forces (조선인민군 특수작전군) number approximately 200,000 personnel, and include a number of Reconnaissance Brigades (specialized intelligence-gathering & direct action units), the 8th Special Corps (paratroopers), and several Maritime special operations units (including the "Lightning Commandos," 41st Amphibious Assault Battalion, and one "Sniper" Brigade in each of its two Sea Fleets). From its humble beginnings, the North Korean armed forces did not initially embrace the idea of camouflage uniforms until late in the 20th century. During the 1960s and 1970s, only special operations units were issued Soviet-style camouflage uniforms. In the modern era, the country has not only adopted camouflage on a wide scale, but seems to have embraced the practice with a degree of zeal not often seen in this part of the world.

North Korean camouflage patterns

• The Soviet M1944 TTsMKK tricolour disprutive pattern was used for one-piece coveralls and issued to some North Korean units during the 1960s and 1970s. Although technically not a North Korean design, the uniforms appear to have been part of the KPA supply system and were issued with some degree of regularity to (mostly) units with elite status.

• A "duck hunter" or spot pattern, similar to that produced by China was also worn by DPRK forces. Probably introduced in the 1980s, the pattern was still appearing in propaganda photos in the early 2000s, but had fallen into disuse by the 2010s. The design consists of two colours on a pale green background.

• A distinctive "blotch" or "amoeba" pattern of four colors in use with North Korean forces is seen below, circa 1990s. This pattern was produced in China for export, and has reached obsolescence in the modern era. It can be noted that some versions feature a different color palette, including a t-shirt version bearing colors very similar to the old Japanese Self-Defense Force design.

• A seldom-seen vertical stripe pattern is seen below, worn by soldiers on the right side of the photograph; the other soldiers wear a leaf pattern (see below). This design appears to be of Chinese origin, the same pattern as reputedly issued to Armed Police units during the 1980s and 1990s.

• A leaf camouflage design, dating to the current era is seen here.

• This woodland-style camouflage has been observed in common usage with North Korean forces, even as helmet covers on ceremonial troops wearing service dress uniforms.

• The mountain troops seen below are wearing a woodland-based camouflage designed for snow-covered and mountainous regions, incorporating shades of grey on a white background. This pattern would later be replaced by a pixelated design.

• A DPM camouflage design, similar to that adopted by Chinese PLA Special Forces circa 2004, has been observed in use by some North Korean Border Security units. It is theorized that the fabric may actually have been sourced in China, as this is one of the few countries that continued to have a healthy trade relationship with the DPRK.

• Photographic evidence suggests the pattern below was introduced in 2017, in use with both conventional troops and special operations forces. The design is inspired by woodland pattern, incorporating black, brown and blue-grey shapes on a light grey background.

• Also introduced in 2017, tactical vest covers in a pixelated camouflage design of uncertain origins. There is no evidence that other uniform items have been issued in this design.

• First appearing to western news sources in 2017, a desert/arid camouflage pattern incorporating brown and tan-colored patches on a sand-colored background is now being fielded.

• First observed in 2018, the pattern below is being worn by some North Korean security personnel operating in and around the Joint Security Area (Panmunjeom - 판문점). Similar to the arid pattern previously documented in use by the Armed Forces, in some photographs this pattern appears to have a more yellowish tint, while in others it appears more grey.

• During the parade on 10 October 2020 a range of at least 5 new pixelated camouflage patterns were shown for the first time. Even though it was difficult to tell the patterns apart from each other, two different green based designs, an arid camouflage design, blue camouflage design, and a two-color pixelated camouflage pattern for mountain and winter warfare were all observed.

• The use of Multicam pattern uniforms by North Korean military personnel was first documented in 2020 during the parade of October 10, although uniforms in this design may well have appeared in the armed forces inventory much earlier. Several color variations, based on the drawings found in the original design, would later appear in various specialized units as well.

• Another pattern observed during the 10 October 2020 parade was a three-color pattern which appears to be utilized by NBC troops.

• Possibly created as far back as 2016, the Missile General Bureau oversees development, planning, production, logistics, and defense procurement of materials for ballistic and strategic missile programs. This agency was formally unveiled in February, 2023, and appeared in various public displays (including a military parade) wearing a an arid camouflage design similar to the A-TACS AU pattern.

• This two-color design, possibly for snow or desert deployments, appeared in an August 2023 parade. A close inspection suggests it is based on the shapes found in Multicam clones.

• These additional, brightly colored Multicam-based designs, were both also first observed in 2023, and are likely restricted to specialist units such as the Korean People's Army Special Operations Force. The two versions are distinguished by a primarily blue or lavender color base, neither of which is likely to have much pragmatic effect as a camouflage design.

• Two additional pixelated camouflage patterns appeared in the August 2023 military parade. Whether these designs are related to the previous range of digital patterns from 2020 is unclear. The green design has been worn by some elite units, such as the 41st Amphibious Assault Battalion (제41상륙돌격대대종대), and probably came into service earlier in 2023.

• In March, 2024 a new pattern emerged among some high ranking officers of the Army. This green-dominant, pixelated camouflage design is speculated to be a new pattern for much of the Ground Forces, excepting specialized personnel such as special operations.

• Also appearing in 2024, personnel from the 105th Armored Division were publicly observed wearing dark or "black" version of Multicam. As yet it is not known whether the pattern is restricted in use to just the Division or to all armored persononel, or whether its use will be extended to other Ground Forces.

• Late in 2024, yet another pixelated camouflage design appeared on high-ranking officers of the KPA. Although similar to previously documented patterns, this version appears to have less contrast and a flatter overall color palette, either mostly grey-green or olive green.

• To honor the 80th anniversary of the ruling political party, a large military parade was held in which a couple of new camouflage designs made an appearance. The first one is this brown-dominant pixelated pattern.

• Specialist troops, presumably dedicated to mountain or cold weather warfare, are seeing wearing another variation of "snow" Multicam during the 80th Anniversary Parade in October 2025, different from that previously seen.

• Last to be shown during the 80th Anniversary parade, this Multicam derivative design worn by the NBC troops of the KPA. Unlike most Multicam clones, this design seems to have a decreased density and fewer colors in the pattern.

Other Camouflage Patterns used by KPA Troops

• North Korean troops military personnel were deployed to fight alongside Russian forces in the Kursk Oblast in Russia since October 2024. These personnel were supplied by Russia and most wore EMR pattern camouflage uniforms.