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DPRK Navy

Korean People's Navy
조선인민군 해군
Joseon-inmingun Haegun
Flag of the Korean People's Navy.svg
Founded June 5, 1946; 70 years ago (1946-06-05)
Country  Democratic People's Republic of Korea
Allegiance Worker's Party of Korea, specifically Kim Jong-un
Type Navy
Size 60,000 personnel
Part of Korean People's Army
Fleet 70 Submarines
456 Various landing craft
3 Frigates
4 Corvette
30 Mine countermeasures vessel
30 Missile boats
247 Torpedo boats
191 Patrol boats
Commanders
Commander-in-chief Fleet Admiral Li Yong-ju
Insignia
Naval ensign Naval ensign of North Korea.svg
Flag Flag of the Korean People's Navy.svg
Former flag Flag of the Korean People's Navy (1992-2012).svg
Korean People's Navy
Flag of the Korean People's Navy.svg
Components
Korean People's Navy
History
History of the Korean People's Navy
Ships
Current Fleet
Naval Bases
Personnel
Senior Officers

The Korean People's Navy (KPN), officially known as the Korean People's Army Naval Force (Chosŏn'gŭl: 조선인민군 해군; Hanja: 朝鮮人民軍 海軍, Joseon-inmingun Haegun, literally "Korean People's Military Navy"), is the naval service branch of the Korean People's Army, which contains each branch of the North Korean armed forces.

The navy's strength (2008) is at about 60,000 personnel. There are some 810 vessels including 3 frigates and 70 submarines: approximately 20 Romeo class submarines (1,800 tons), 40 Sang-O-class submarines (300 tons) and 10 midget submarines including the Yono-class submarine (130 tons).

The North Korean navy is considered a brown water navy 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 South Korea. The limited range of most of the vessels means that, even in peacetime, it is virtually impossible for a ship on one coast to visit the other coast.

The KPN was established on June 5, 1946.

According to the 1997 edition of North Korea Country Handbook, published by the Defense Intelligence Agency:

"The 146,000-man [North Korean navy (NKN)] is primarily a coastal navy. The NKN 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 and Wonsan.

The West Coast Fleet is headquartered at Nampo, 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 NKN does not have a Marine Corps or naval aviation capabilities. Amphibious operations are conducted by SOF units in addition to naval personnel."


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Wikipedia

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