The Korean People's Army Navy (KPANF; ) or the Korean People's Navy (KPN) is the naval component of the

Korean People's Army The Korean People's Army (KPA; ) encompasses the combined military forces of North Korea and the armed wing of the Workers' Party of Korea (WPK). The KPA consists of five branches: the Korean People's Army Ground Force, Ground Force, the Ko ...

, the North Korean armed forces. There are some 780 vessels including 70

midget submarine A midget submarine is any submarine under 150 tons, typically operated by a crew of one or two but sometimes up to six or nine, with little or no on-board living accommodation. They normally work with mother ships, from which they are launched an ...

s (including the

Yono-class submarine The Yono-class submarine (occasionally confused with Yugo-class) is a class of North Korean miniature submarines, produced for domestic use as well as for export. Also referred to as the Yeono class, these submarines displace 130 tons, signific ...

and Sang-O-class submarine), 20 Romeo-class submarines, and about 140 air cushioned landing craft. The North Korean navy is considered a brown-water (or riverine) navy with limited green water capabilities and operates mainly within the 50 kilometer exclusion zone. The fleet consists of east and west coast squadrons, which cannot support each other in the event of war with an adversary such as

South Korea South Korea, officially the Republic of Korea (ROK), is a country in East Asia. It constitutes the southern half of the Korea, Korean Peninsula and borders North Korea along the Korean Demilitarized Zone, with the Yellow Sea to the west and t ...

. The limited range of its vessels means that, even in peacetime, it is quite challenging for a ship on one coast to visit the other coast. By far North Korea operates only four confirmed green water vessels with plans of building at least two more. In theory, the Nampo-class corvettes may also be capable of green water operations. Perhaps the lack of replenishment oilers is the main factor, which by far prevents North Korea from deploying a decent sized green water navy.

History

The KPN was established on 5 June 1946.

2013 submarine chaser sinking

On 13 October 2013, submarine chaser number 233 departed on a regular patrol, but failed to return on time. The boat was later discovered to be sunk, and the entire crew had died, who were named as martyrs. A seaside grave was constructed for these sailors, which Kim Jong Un visited, in a move described by the New York Times as bolstering his image of caring for the soldiers. Families of the victims were given portraits of their children and a collage of the grave.

Reported 2016 submarine sinking

On 11 March 2016, CNN and the U.S. Naval Institute News reported that unnamed US officials believed a North Korean submarine had been lost in the Sea of Japan. According to reports, the U.S. military had been observing the submarine when it "stopped" before the North Korean navy was observed by American spy satellites, aircraft and ships to be searching the area.

Organization

According to the

Defense Intelligence Agency The Defense Intelligence Agency (DIA) is an intelligence agency and combat support agency of the United States Department of Defense (DoD) specializing in military intelligence. A component of the Department of Defense and the United States In ...

, the 146,000-man Korean Peoples' Army Navy (KPAN) is primarily a coastal navy. The KPAN is organized into two fleets: the East Coast Fleet, with eight operational commands, and the West Coast Fleet, with five operational commands. The East Coast Fleet is headquartered at Toejo Dong, with major bases at

Najin Rajin-guyŏk () is a North Korean ward on Rason in the Sea of Japan (East Sea of Korea) in the North Pacific Ocean on the northeast tip of North Korea. It is in the Kwanbuk region and location in the south of Rason. North of it lies the North K ...

and

Wonsan Wonsan (), previously known as Wonsanjin (), is a port city and naval base located in Kangwon Province (North Korea), Kangwon Province, North Korea, along the eastern side of the Korean Peninsula, on the Sea of Japan and the provincial capital. ...

."NORTH KOREA COUNTRY HANDBOOK (PDF Format)"
. Defense Intelligence Agency Official Website. Retrieved August 23, 2012. The West Coast Fleet is headquartered at

Nampo Nampo (North Korean official spelling: Nampho; ), also spelled Namp'o, is a major city in North Korea which is the country's List of cities in North Korea, fourth-largest by population. The city is an important seaport in the country as it lies ...

, with major bases at Pipagot and Sagon Ni. Numerous smaller naval bases are located along both coasts. The fleets do not exchange vessels because geographical limitations make mutual support almost impossible. The KPAN does not have a marine corps or naval aviation capabilities. Amphibious operations are conducted by SOF units in addition to naval personnel. According to South Korea's National Intelligence Service (in 1999): ''

The Times ''The Times'' is a British Newspaper#Daily, daily Newspaper#National, national newspaper based in London. It began in 1785 under the title ''The Daily Universal Register'', adopting its modern name on 1 January 1788. ''The Times'' and its si ...

'' puts the total in 2009 at "420 warships and 60 submarines." The annual report of North Korea's military capabilities by the U.S.

Department of Defense The United States Department of Defense (DoD, USDOD, or DOD) is an executive department of the U.S. federal government charged with coordinating and supervising the six U.S. armed services: the Army, Navy, Marines, Air Force, Space Force, ...

, released in early 2014, identified the North Korean Navy's strength at 60,000 personnel, 70 submarines, 420 gun boats, 260 amphibious landing craft, 30 mine warfare vessels, and 30 support ships.

Inventory

Most KPAN vessels are small patrol-size craft unable to operate over 50 nautical miles (NM) from the coast but capable of policing the DPRK's territorial waters. The navy's numerous amphibious craft and midget submarines are intended to clandestinely insert SOF units into the ROK. The DPRK also maintains coastal defense artillery and missile sites. Coastal defense artillery includes 122 mm, 130 mm, and 152 mm systems. Land-based coastal defense missiles include the

KS-1 Komet The Raduga KS-1 Comet ( (Крылатый Снаряд: winged projectile), NATO reporting name: AS-1 Kennel) was a Soviet short range air-to-surface missile, primarily developed for anti-ship missions. It was carried on two aircraft, the Tupole ...

, Silkworm (HY-1 and HY-2) . The KPAN's most capable weapons systems are their approximately 43 guided-missile patrol boats equipped with the

P-15 Termit The P-15 ''Termit'' (; ) is an anti-ship missile developed by the Soviet Union's Raduga design bureau in the 1950s. Its GRAU designation was 4K40, its NATO reporting name was ''Styx'' or SS-N-2. China acquired the design in 1958 and created at ...

antiship missile (or its Chinese version, the Silkworm (SY-1)). Though their small size limits operations to coastal waters and calm seas, they have a capability to quickly respond to Combined Forces Command (CFC) shipping approaching the coast. The KPAN has 12

Osa-class missile boat The Project 205 Moskit (''mosquito'') more commonly known by their NATO reporting name Osa, are a class of missile boats developed for the Soviet Navy in the late 1950s. Until 1962 this was classified as a large torpedo boat. The Osa class is p ...

, 10 DPRK versions of the Osa-1 called the Soju, and 19 other fast-attack missile craft; the Osa and Osa-1 are all equipped with four Silkworm (SY-1) missile launchers. The missiles have a maximum range of 25 Nm and carry radar or infrared homing seekers. The largest part of the KPAN consists of small combatants, including torpedo boats, patrol boats, patrol craft, fast attack craft, and small amphibious landing craft. Of the approximately 200 torpedo boats, nearly half are DPRK-built. Most are equipped with 25 mm to 37 mm guns. The DPRK built at least 62 Chaho fire-support patrol units. This unique vessel has a multiple rocket launcher in the center of its deck to provide fire support to ground troops or attack surface ships. The DPRK's attack submarine inventory is estimated to include four former Soviet

Whiskey-class submarine Whiskey-class submarines (known in the Soviet Union as Projects 613, 640, 644, and 665) are a class of diesel-electric attack submarines that the Soviet Union built in the early Cold War period. Design The initial design was developed in th ...

, 22 Chinese Romeo-class submarines, and DPRK-built Romeo-class submarines. The Whiskeys, acquired in the 1960s, can carry 12 torpedoes or 24 mines. Shortly after delivering four Romeos in the early 1970s, China helped the DPRK start its own Romeo construction program. The Romeos are well equipped, have an improved sonar, and can carry 14 torpedoes or 28 mines. To date, the DPRK has indigenously produced over 200 personnel landing craft. This includes approximately 100 Nampo personnel landing craft based on a former Soviet P-6 torpedo boat hull. The Nampo has a maximum speed of and a radius of at . The Nampos provide a limited amphibious capability, each carrying up to 30 troops with a basic combat load. Amphibious assaults against CFC probably would be small, clandestine landings involving two to six Nampo craft; Chaho or other naval craft could provide fire support. Other amphibious craft include 8 Hantae medium landing ships, which can carry 3 to 4 light tanks, and approximately 125 Kongbang amphibious hovercraft. The DPRK has a credible mine warfare capability. There are numerous small surface ships that are capable of delivering mines within both the navy and civilian sectors. Mines will be used to defend against amphibious assaults, defend strategic ports, and provide seaward flank protection for land forces. Defensive mine fields will be monitored by coastal observation teams and radar, and they will be supported by well emplaced artillery and missile batteries. This will make close approach and mine clearing operations extremely hazardous. DPRK has a large inventory of older technology mines, significant historical experience with their effectiveness, and, most importantly, the willingness to use them. The latest bi-annual report of North Korea's military capabilities by the ROK's

Ministry of National Defense A ministry of defence or defense (see spelling differences), also known as a department of defence or defense, is the part of a government responsible for matters of defence and military forces, found in states where the government is divide ...

, released in 2018, KPN inventory is estimated at 430 combat ships, 250 landing crafts, 20 mine layers, 40 support ships, 70 submarines.

Modernization

For years, the Korean People's Army Naval Force stagnated with a number of ships becoming old and weapons turning obsolete, this peaked with an accident during drills, when the ''

Chosun Ilbo ''The Chosun Ilbo'' (, ), also known as ''The Chosun Daily,'' is a Korean-language newspaper of record for South Korea and among the oldest active newspapers in the country. With a daily circulation of more than 1,800,000, ''The'' ''Chosun Ilbo ...

'' reported that in mid-October 2013, one of the DPRK's Hainan-class submarine chasers and one of its smaller patrol boats sank during maneuvers in the

Sea of Japan The Sea of Japan is the marginal sea between the Japanese archipelago, Sakhalin, the Korean Peninsula, and the mainland of the Russian Far East. The Japanese archipelago separates the sea from the Pacific Ocean. Like the Mediterranean Sea, it ...

with an unknown loss of life. After 2013 surfaced on western analysis, a number of upgrades and new classes in service with the Navy appeared: most of this modernization's program is left to speculation and analysis of satellite images, due to the absence of details released by North Korea. South Korea reported that North Korea has built a new high-speed, wave piercing craft to deploy troops as part of efforts to enhance infiltration capabilities by sea. Called a Very Slender Vessel (VSV), it is cylindrical with a small cross section to pierce through waves at high speed. It is long and can carry a small number of special forces at over , compared to air-cushion vehicles than can travel at . VSVs are considered one of the most threatening craft in the Korean People's Army Naval Force for their commando infiltration capabilities onto border islands. North Korea has built two helicopter frigates to enhance its anti-submarine warfare capabilities. Construction began in 2006-07 and launched in 2011–12, but it is unknown if they have been commissioned and are in service. The frigates are estimated to be long and wide, with a flight deck and a displacement of . Armament is believed to include 4 RBU 1200 ASW rocket launchers, a 30 mm CIWS, and possibly the

C-802 The YJ-83 (; NATO reporting name: CSS-N-8 Saccade) is a People's Republic of China, Chinese subsonic anti-ship missile, anti-ship cruise missile. It is manufactured by the China Aerospace Science and Industry Corporation Third Academy. Develo ...

missile. Its main weapon is either a

Mil Mi-4 The Mil Mi-4 (USAF/DoD reporting name "Type 36", NATO reporting name "Hound")'' Jane's all the World's Aircraft 1963-1964'', p. 303 is a Soviet transport helicopter that served in both military and civilian roles. Design and development The Mi ...

Mil Mi-14 The Mil Mi-14 (, NATO reporting name: Haze) is a Soviet Union, Soviet shore-based nuclear-capable amphibious anti-submarine warfare, anti-submarine helicopter derived from the earlier Mil Mi-8, Mi-8. Design and development Formal development of ...

helicopter. In June 2014, propaganda pictures from the North Korean state TV briefly showed one of the newly built patrol SES vessels, firing a

Kh-35 The Zvezda Kh-35 (, NATO reporting name AS-20 'Kayak') is a Soviet turbojet subsonic cruise anti-ship missile. The missile can be launched from helicopters, surface ships and coastal defence batteries with the help of a rocket booster, in whic ...

anti-ship cruise missile. Initially believed to have been exported to North Korea from Myanmar, the missiles appear to have been built indigenously, some of which were then exported to Myanmar. The missile gives the KPN the potential to considerably improve its anti-surface missiles. In addition to the missiles, the SES vessels show a reversed-engined gun of . Kh-35 missiles were also installed during 2014 on one of the two old Najin-class frigates (replacing the previous obsolete KN-01 missiles): the ship also received upgrades in gunnery. In autumn 2014, satellite images identified a newly built submarine of a new class: with a length of 67 metres, it's the largest-ever submarine built by North Korea. It is believed to be related to older Yugoslavian projects, and if mass-built could potentially replace the aging fleet of Romeo submarines. In spring 2015, the

Sinpo-class submarine The Sinpo-class submarine (), also called the Gorae class ()
GlobalSecurity.org, accessed 2017-04-18

designated 8.24 Yongung was observed at sea during trials, paired with a test of the

Pukguksong-1 The Pukguksong-1 (), also known as KN-11 in intelligence communities outside North Korea, is a North Korean two-stage solid-fueled submarine-launched ballistic missile (SLBM) that had a complete, successful test on 24 August 2016. North Korea h ...

(KN-11) missile. On 2 October in 2019 it conducted a launch of a

Pukguksong-3 The Pukguksong-3 () is a North Korean two-stage, submarine-launched ballistic missile, likely based on the same motor that powers the Pukguksong-2. The missile had its first successful flight test on 2 October 2019, although the first informati ...

SLBM. On 19 October in 2021 it conduct a launch of a

Hwasong-11S The Hwasong-11S () is a North Korean solid-fueled submarine-launched ballistic missile (SLBM). Description Hwasong-11S is the underwater-launched variant of the Hwasong-11A (KN-23). The missile is claimed to have a ground-based version that w ...

SLBM. On 13 March, 2023, it launched two SLCMs. Korean People's Navy launched a

Hwasal-2 The Hwasal-2 () is a North Korean cruise missile. Description The Hwasal-2 is estimated to be long, wide and weigh . Its assumed range is . The estimated payload mass is . The Hwasal-2 can be launched by land-based mobile launcher, corvette ...

land attack

cruise missile A cruise missile is an unmanned self-propelled guided missile that sustains flight through aerodynamic lift for most of its flight path. Cruise missiles are designed to deliver a large payload over long distances with high precision. Modern cru ...

from Amnok-class guided missile

corvette A corvette is a small warship. It is traditionally the smallest class of vessel considered to be a proper (or " rated") warship. The warship class above the corvette is that of the frigate, while the class below was historically that of the sloo ...

on 21 August, 2023. A launching ceremony was conducted at

Sinpo Sinpo () is a port city on the coast of the Sea of Japan in central South Hamgyong Province, South Hamgyŏng province, North Korea. According to the last available census, approximately 152,759 people reside there. Administrative divisions Sinp ...

south shipyard for induction of Hero Kim Kun Ok SSB on 6 September, 2023. North Korea is constructing guided missile

frigates A frigate () is a type of warship. In different eras, the roles and capabilities of ships classified as frigates have varied. The name frigate in the 17th to early 18th centuries was given to any full-rigged ship built for speed and maneuvera ...

with dozens of VLS cells at both west and east coast,

Chongjin Chŏngjin (; ) is the capital of North Korea's North Hamgyong Province (함경북도) and the country's List of cities in North Korea, third-largest city. Sometimes called the City of Iron, it is located in the northeast of the country. History ...

and

Shipyard A shipyard, also called a dockyard or boatyard, is a place where ships are shipbuilding, built and repaired. These can be yachts, military vessels, cruise liners or other cargo or passenger ships. Compared to shipyards, which are sometimes m ...

with estimated displacement of 4000 tons according to

South Korean military The Republic of Korea Armed Forces (), also known as the ROK Armed Forces, are the Military, armed forces of South Korea. The ROK Armed Forces is one of the largest and most powerful standing armed forces in the world with a reported personnel ...

in December 2024 and cavity with enough space to contain over 50 missiles or less depending on type according to researcher

Jeffrey Lewis Jeffrey Lewis (born November 20, 1975) is an American singer-songwriter and comic book artist. Early life Lewis was born in New York City and grew up on the Lower East Side. He attended State University of New York at Purchase, graduating in ...

. Frigate at Nampo was unveiled in December 2024 and in Chongjin in February 2025. Estimated weight between 4000 and 5000 tons. Length of frigate is estimated at 140 meters according

Center for Strategic and International Studies The Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) is an American think tank based in Washington, D.C. From its founding in 1962 until 1987, it was an affiliate of Georgetown University, initially named the Center for Strategic and Inte ...

38 North ''38 North'' is a website devoted to analysis about North Korea. Its name refers to the 38th parallel north which passes through the Korean peninsula and from 1945 until the start of the Korean War in 1950 divided the peninsula into North and So ...

estimates length of frigate at 144 meters. CSIS assessment on April 25 that frigate at Nampo may be ready in summer of 2025. The destroyer was launched from Nampo shipyard on April 25. The second ship of such class was launched on 12 June, after a previous unsuccessful attempt on 21 May. Construction of nuclear powered ballistic missile submarine was announced and shown on March 8 in 2025. Estimated weight between 5000 to 8000 tons and carrying about 10 missiles.

Structure

Bases

The KPN has 20 bases split between the two coasts (

and

Yellow Sea The Yellow Sea, also known as the North Sea, is a marginal sea of the Western Pacific Ocean located between mainland China and the Korean Peninsula, and can be considered the northwestern part of the East China Sea. Names It is one of four ...

) with major and minor bases:

West Sea Fleet

The western fleet has approximately 300 watercraft (administrative, operational and logistic support), berthing facility for Yellow Sea Fleet; home to shipyard and sub base * Ch'o-do: small support base and home to Sqron 9 (Fast Attack Craft) *

Haeju Haeju () is a city located in South Hwanghae Province near Haeju Bay in North Korea. It is the administrative centre of South Hwanghae Province. As of 2008, the population of the city is estimated to be 273,300. At the beginning of the 20th centu ...

: major naval base and ship repair facility close to Demarcation Line * Kwangyang-ni * Pip'a-got: limited operational and logistical support to patrol craft; also home to some subs * Sagot (Sagon-ni): home to Sqron 8 * Sunwi-do * Tasa-ri: small naval base * Yomju (Yomju-gun) * Yongwi-do

East Sea Fleet

The eastern fleet has approximately 470 ships and small craft. * Ch'aho (Ch'aho-nodongjagu) - one of two sub bases in North Korea * Ch'angjon: home base for smaller patrol boats * Mayangdo: operation and logistical support for submarines, antisubmarine craft, and patrol craft; one of 2 sub bases in North Korea * Mugyepo: base for patrol boats, landing crafts and frigate * Puam Dong: base for patrol boats, landing craft * Puam-ni: small base for landing craft and patrol boats *

Rason Rason (formerly Rajin-Sŏnbong; ) is a North Korean special city and ice-free port in the Sea of Japan in the North Pacific Ocean on the northeast tip of North Korea. It is in the Kwanbuk region and location of the Rason Special Economic Zone. ...

(Rajin): major naval operating and training centre * Songjon-Pando: support base for patrol and missile boats; part of the larger Wonsan naval/maritime complex * T'oejo-dong: base for patrol boats and 1 frigate *

(Munch'on): large maritime complex and HQ for the eastern fleet Some ships are domestically built at Wonsan and Nampho shipyards. Southern bases on each coasts are used to organize infiltrations into South Korea and Japan.

Weapons

* MSI Yukto I/II countermeasures * manned naval CIWS system of (gatling) *

Oto Melara 76 mm The OTO Melara 76 mm gun, marketed as the OTO 76/62 Gun Mount, is a naval autocannon built and designed by the Italian Defense contractor, defence company OTO Melara. It is based on the OTO Melara 76/62C and evolved toward 76/62 SR and 76/ ...

(unlicensed copy) * unmanned naval CIWS system of (gatling). Similar to Soviet dual AK-230. *

Pukguksong-4 The Pukguksong-4 () is a North Korean two-stage, solid-fueled submarine-launched ballistic missile (SLBM). Description Pukguksong-4 is a two-stage, solid-fueled ballistic missile. As a further development from Pukguksong-3, it is significantly ...

Pukguksong-5 The Pukguksong-5 () is a North Korean two-stage, solid-fueled submarine-launched ballistic missile (SLBM). First unveiled in January 2021 during a military parade, Pukguksong-5 is an evolution of Pukguksong-3 with a longer range and a larger siz ...

and

* Kumsong-3 in coastal defense configuration. *

Kh-28 The Kh-28 (; Nisan-28; NATO reporting name, NATO: AS-9 'Kyle') was the first Soviet Union, Soviet anti-radiation missile (ARM) for tactical aircraft. It entered production in 1973 and is still carried on some Sukhoi Su-22s in developing countries ...

C-602 The YJ-62 () is a Chinese subsonic land-attack and anti-ship cruise missile. It is manufactured by the China Aerospace Science and Industry Corporation Third Academy. Description In a September 2014 article published in Joint Forces Quarterly ...

YJ62 * C802 YJ82 *

Silkworm missile The SY (), and HY () series were early anti-ship missile, anti-ship cruise missiles (ASCM) developed by the People's Republic of China from the Soviet Union, Soviet P-15 Termit missile. They entered service in the late 1960s and remained the main ...

s, KN-1 *

s, KN-1 * P-35s * SA-16 9K310 Igla-1 SAM system * 122 mm (5 in) gun M1931/37 (A-19) guns * SM-4-1 * M-1992 130 mm self-propelled gun * 152 mm (6 in) howitzer-gun M1937 (ML-20) ML towed artillery

Ranks and uniforms

Commissioned officer ranks

The rank insignia of

commissioned officer An officer is a person who holds a position of authority as a member of an armed force or uniformed service. Broadly speaking, "officer" means a commissioned officer, a non-commissioned officer (NCO), or a warrant officer. However, absent ...

Other ranks

The rank insignia of

non-commissioned officer A non-commissioned officer (NCO) is an enlisted rank, enlisted leader, petty officer, or in some cases warrant officer, who does not hold a Commission (document), commission. Non-commissioned officers usually earn their position of authority b ...

s and

enlisted personnel An enlisted rank (also known as an enlisted grade or enlisted rate) is, in some armed services, any rank below that of a commissioned officer. The term can be inclusive of non-commissioned officers or warrant officers, except in United States ...

Uniforms

The naval officers wear black jackets and pants with blue shirt and dark tie underneath. Their

peaked cap A peaked cap, peaked hat, service cap, barracks cover, or combination cap is a form of headgear worn by the armed forces of many nations, as well as many uniformed civilian organisations such as law enforcement agencies and fire departments. It d ...

s are from the Soviet era. In summer jackets are white in the full dress uniform. Junior ratings and seamen wear white shirts (in the summer) or navy blue shirts (in the winter) with black/white jackets and slacks (skirts for women) and wear

sailor cap A sailor cap is a round, flat visorless hat worn by sailors in many of the world's navies. A tally, an inscribed black silk ribbon, is tied around the base which usually bears the name of a ship or a navy. Many navies (e.g. Germany) tie the ta ...

s. All ranks wear shoulder and collar insignia while all officers, flag officers included, wear sleeve insignia as well in their service blue uniforms.

Anniversary

At first, an ordinance issued by the

Supreme People's Assembly The Supreme People's Assembly (SPA; ) is the legislature of North Korea. It is ostensibly the highest organ of state power and the only branch of government in North Korea, with all state organs subservient to it under the principle of unified ...

on June 3, 1972, designated August 28 as the Navy Day, claiming that the first leader

Kim Il Sung Kim Il Sung (born Kim Song Ju; 15 April 1912 – 8 July 1994) was a North Korean politician and the founder of North Korea, which he led as its first Supreme Leader (North Korean title), supreme leader from North Korea#Founding, its establishm ...

organized the Torpedo Unit on that date of 1949. In 1993 the North Korean authorities changed it to June 5, as its "Maritime Security Corps" were organized on June 5, 1946.

Notable people

* Yu Chang-kwon, Commander-in-Chief *

Kim Il-chol Kim Il-chol (, 1933 – September 2023) was a North Korean military officer who was a member of the National Defence Commission and Minister for Defence. Biography Kim was born in Pyongyang in 1933. He graduated from Mangyongdae Revolutiona ...

, only admiral of the Korean People's Navy to be promoted to the rank of Vice Marshal and become Minister of the People's Armed Forces