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Kim Il-Sung / Kim Jong-Il Portrait Flags (North Korea)

image by Eugene Ipavec, 19 January 2011

image by Eugene Ipavec, 19 January 2011

Introduction

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Introduction

I've observed a particular flagoid several times - red, with a oval containing a b/w portrait of Kim Il-Sung towards the hoist. It's been mainly shown at at the front of a vast hall which I take to be the NK legislature, and on a truck at a military parade. The catch is that this thing is almost always not an actual cloth flag, but a rigid bas-relief in the shape of one, complete with wind-swept folds and tassels. I suppose it is debatable whether this is a static representation of a real flag, or some kind of allegorical symbol in pseudo-flag-esque form, but either way I think it is worth noting. There seems to be considerable variety in the portrait; the photos of Kim Il-Sung range from old to young. [The above one] is from a photo of a North Korean wall mural.
Most likely this is a memorial flag of some kind, though there is an outside chance it could be the North Korean presidential flag; recall that Kim Il-Sung is - though dead for some twelve years - still officially president and head of state, having been named the regime's "Eternal Leader" at his funeral.
Eugene Ipavec, 19 Oct 2006

There is also a similar flag bearing the portrait of Kim Jong-Il; this flag and that of Kim Il-Sung always appear together in pair. These are not presidential flags, but props used in parades; sometimes they are made of real cloth, and are carried by two persons (one holding the flag pole and one holding the fly), so that these flags never actually wave in the air.
Miles Li, 19 Oct 2006

The static representations always take pains to depict them as real, waving ones. Must look more distinguished that way.
Eugene Ipavec, 22 Oct 2006