North Korean Navy
| Korean People's Navy 조선인민군 해군 Joseon-inmingun Haegun |
|
|---|---|
 |
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| Founded | June 5, 1946 |
| 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 |  |
| Flag | |
| Former flag | .svg) |
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| 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 KPN was established on June 5, 1946. The navy strength during the 1990s was centered about 40,000 to 60,000 members en force; last projected strength (2008) is at about 60,000. 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.
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, 39 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