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The North Korean navy is divided into the Yellow Sea Fleet (West Coast Fleet) and the East Sea Fleet (East Coast Fleet). The Yellow Sea fleet, headquartered at Nampo Dong, contains five operational commands; the East Sea Fleet, headquartered at Toejo, contains seven operational commands. The fleets do not exchange vessels because geographical limitations make mutual support almost impossible.

The navy, in conjunction with the army and air force, operates one coastal defense artillery and missile regiment on either coast. Amphibious operations are conducted by the special forces command in conjunction with naval personnel. There is no naval air arm.

Most navy vessels are small patrol-size craft unable to operate over 50 nautical miles from the coast, but are capable of policing the DPRK's territorial waters. The navy's most-capable weapons systems are their guided-missile patrol boats equipped with the SS-N-2A Styx anti-ship missile. Though their small size limits operations to coastal waters and calm seas, they have the capability to quickly respond to ships approaching the coast. The largest part of the navy consists of small combatants, including torpedo boats, patrol boats, patrol craft, fast attack craft and small amphibious landing craft. Nearly half of the torpedo boats were built in North Korea. The DPRK also has indigenously produced over 200 personnel landing craft. This includes approximately 100 NAMPO personnel landing craft that would spearhead any clandestine landings directed against South Korea. Each NAMPO can carry approximately 30 personnel.