Country	Korea-North
Capital	Pyongyang
Continent	Asia
Currency	North Korean won(KPW)
Languages	Korean

Locaion

Eastern Asia, northern half of the Korean Peninsula bordering the Korea Bay and the Sea of Japan, between China and South Korea

Geographic Co ordinates

40 00 N, 127 00 E

Land Boundries

Total:1,673 km
Border countries:China 1,416 km, South Korea 238 km, Russia 19 km

Geography - note

strategic location bordering China, South Korea, and Russia; mountainous interior is isolated and sparsely populated

Population

22,757,275 (July 2010 est.)
Country comparison to the world:50

Nationality

Noun:Korean(s)
Adjective:Korean

Ethnic groups

racially homogeneous; there is a small Chinese community and a few ethnic Japanese

Religions

traditionally Buddhist and Confucianist, some Christian and syncretic Chondogyo (Religion of the Heavenly Way)
note: autonomous religious activities now almost nonexistent; government-sponsored religious groups exist to provide illusion of religious freedom

Languages

Korean

Country Name

Conventional long form:Democratic People's Republic of Korea
Conventional short form:North Korea
Local long form:Choson-minjujuui-inmin-konghwaguk
Local short form:Choson
abbreviation: DPRK

Government Type

Communist state one-man dictatorship

Capital

Name:Pyongyang
Geographic coordinates:39 01 N, 125 45 E
Time difference:UTC+9 (14 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time)

Administrative divisions

9 provinces (do, singular and plural) and 2 municipalities (si, singular and plural)
provinces: Chagang-do (Chagang), Hamgyong-bukto (North Hamgyong), Hamgyong-namdo (South Hamgyong), Hwanghae-bukto (North Hwanghae), Hwanghae-namdo (South Hwanghae), Kangwon-do (Kangwon), P'yongan-bukto (North P'yongan), P'yongan-namdo (South P'yongan), Yanggang-do (Yanggang)
municipalities: Nason-si, P'yongyang-si

Independence

15 August 1945 (from Japan)

National Holiday

Founding of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK), 9 September (1948)

Constitution

adopted 1948; revised several times most recently in 2009

Legal system

based on Prussian civil law system with Japanese influences and Communist legal theory; no judicial review of legislative acts; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction

Suffrage

17 years of age; universal

Executive branch

Chief of state:KIM Jong Il (since July 1994); note - on 9 April 2009, rubberstamp Supreme People's Assembly (SPA) reelected KIM Jong Il chairman of the National Defense Commission, a position accorded nation's "highest administrative authority"; SPA reelected KIM Yong Nam in 2009 president of its Presidium also with responsibility of representing state and receiving diplomatic credentials
Head of government:Premier KIM Yong Il (since 11 April 2007); Vice Premier KWAK Pom Gi (since 5 September 1998), Vice Premier O Su Yong (since 13 April 2009), Vice Premier PAK Su Gil (since 18 September 2009), Vice Premier PAK Myong Su (since 4 September 2009), Vice Premier RO Tu Chol (since 3 September 2003)
Cabinet:Naegak (cabinet) members, except for Minister of People's Armed Forces, are appointed by SPA
(For more information visit the World Leaders website)
Elections:last election held in September 2003; date of next election NA
Election results:KIM Jong Il and KIM Yong Nam were only nominees for positions and ran unopposed

Legislative branch

unicameral Supreme People's Assembly or Ch'oego Inmin Hoeui (687 seats; members elected by popular vote to serve five-year terms)
Elections: last held on 8 March 2009 (next to be held in March 2014)
Election results:percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - NA; ruling party approves a list of candidates who are elected without opposition; a token number of seats are reserved for minor parties

Judicial branch

Central Court (judges are elected by the Supreme People's Assembly)

Political Parties and Leaders

major party - Korean Workers' Party or KWP [KIM Jong Il]; minor parties - Chondoist Chongu Party [RYU Mi Yong] (under KWP control), Social Democratic Party [KIM Yong Dae] (under KWP control)

Political pressure groups and leaders

none

International organization participation

ARF, FAO, G-77, ICAO, ICRM, IFAD, IFRCS, IHO, IMO, IOC, IPU, ISO, ITSO, ITU, NAM, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNWTO, UPU, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO

Diplomatic representation in the US

none; North Korea has a Permanent Mission to the UN in New York

Diplomatic representation from the US

none; note - Swedish Embassy in Pyongyang represents the US as consular protecting power

Flag description

three horizontal bands of blue (top), red (triple width), and blue; the red band is edged in white; on the hoist side of the red band is a white disk with a red five-pointed star

Video

View Larger Map

Government - Government - Korea-North North Korea International Documentation Project
Newspapers -  1stHeadlines - North Korea Asia Observer - North Korea Naenara
                              Big News Network - North Korea News Indexmundi Korea, North
                              Korean Central News Agency Moreover... Korea news
                              News.Nabou - Korea News NewsNow: Korea Topix - North Korea News
                              North Korea News.Net North Korea zone Sinboj The People's Korea
Tourism -         Ministry Of Tourism

Google News

?? or ??? South Korea debates what to call North Korea - The Guardian?? or ??? South Korea debates what to call North Korea  The Guardian Kim Jong Un praises troops who 'self-blasted' to avoid capture by Ukraine - BBC Kim Jong Un praises troops who 'self-blasted' to avoid capture by Ukraine  BBC Kim Jong Un praises soldier suicides, signals deepening role in Russia’s war  CNN Kim Jong Un Confirms Soldier ‘Self-Blasting’ Policy in Ukraine  Bloomberg.com Opinion | Iran May Be Doing With Its Nukes What Another 'Rogue' Regime Did 20 Years Ago - NDTVOpinion | Iran May Be Doing With Its Nukes What Another 'Rogue' Regime Did 20 Years Ago  NDTV The new geopolitics of Asia and the prospects of North Korea diplomacy - BrookingsThe new geopolitics of Asia and the prospects of North Korea diplomacy  Brookings DPRK Korea: Continued militarisation a ‘serious concern’, political affairs chief warns Security Council - UN NewsDPRK Korea: Continued militarisation a ‘serious concern’, political affairs chief warns Security Council  UN News North Korea Stole 76% of All Crypto Hack Value in 2026 — With Just Two Attacks | TRM Blog - TRM LabsNorth Korea Stole 76% of All Crypto Hack Value in 2026 — With Just Two Attacks | TRM Blog  TRM Labs North Korea’s Ukraine war lessons reshaping calculus on Korean Peninsula - The Japan TimesNorth Korea’s Ukraine war lessons reshaping calculus on Korean Peninsula  The Japan Times The long con: How North Korean spies spent months in-person to drain $285 million from Drift - CoinDeskThe long con: How North Korean spies spent months in-person to drain $285 million from Drift  CoinDesk Nuclear “Rogue States”: Why U.S. is Hell-Bent To Kill Iran’s Nuke Program More Than Pakistan or North Korea? OPED - EurAsian TimesNuclear “Rogue States”: Why U.S. is Hell-Bent To Kill Iran’s Nuke Program More Than Pakistan or North Korea? OPED  EurAsian Times What’s In A Name? South Korea Rethinks What It Calls North Korea | Here's Why - News18What’s In A Name? South Korea Rethinks What It Calls North Korea | Here's Why  News18 Is ‘North Koreanization’ the Only Logical Move Left for Iran? - Geopolitical MonitorIs ‘North Koreanization’ the Only Logical Move Left for Iran?  Geopolitical Monitor We call upon North Korea to return to compliance with its international obligations - France ONUWe call upon North Korea to return to compliance with its international obligations  France ONU Pyongyang’s northern turn is reshaping the Korean Peninsula - BrookingsPyongyang’s northern turn is reshaping the Korean Peninsula  Brookings Russia, China back North Korea’s rejection to follow UN sanctions - NK NewsRussia, China back North Korea’s rejection to follow UN sanctions  NK News Executions in North Korea ramped up significantly during pandemic - report - BBCExecutions in North Korea ramped up significantly during pandemic - report  BBC Suspected North Korea sanctions breach detected by New Zealand patrol - Indonesia Business PostSuspected North Korea sanctions breach detected by New Zealand patrol  Indonesia Business Post Whether Kusong or Yongbyon, North Korea Will Never Give Up Its Nuclear Weapons Program - The Diplomat – Asia-PacificWhether Kusong or Yongbyon, North Korea Will Never Give Up Its Nuclear Weapons Program  The Diplomat – Asia-Pacific That Other Nuclear Nightmare: North Korea Sounds New Alarms - The Cipher BriefThat Other Nuclear Nightmare: North Korea Sounds New Alarms  The Cipher Brief Does Trump Get Another Shot at North Korea? - Toda Peace InstituteDoes Trump Get Another Shot at North Korea?  Toda Peace Institute North Korea leader’s sister says Seoul’s regret sending drones ‘wise behaviour’ - The HinduNorth Korea leader’s sister says Seoul’s regret sending drones ‘wise behaviour’  The Hindu New Zealand spy plane reports possible North Korea sanctions breach at sea - Al JazeeraNew Zealand spy plane reports possible North Korea sanctions breach at sea  Al Jazeera North Korean youth vow to become the ‘militant reserve’ of country - NK NewsNorth Korean youth vow to become the ‘militant reserve’ of country  NK News Rethinking North Korea diplomacy - BrookingsRethinking North Korea diplomacy  Brookings North Korea in April 2026: A month in review and what’s ahead - NK NewsNorth Korea in April 2026: A month in review and what’s ahead  NK News Should Japan change its approach to North Korean denuclearization? - BrookingsShould Japan change its approach to North Korean denuclearization?  Brookings South Korea weighs using North Korea’s official state name - Anadolu AjansiSouth Korea weighs using North Korea’s official state name  Anadolu Ajansi China is confronting new realities on the Korean Peninsula - BrookingsChina is confronting new realities on the Korean Peninsula  Brookings Pyongyang’s diplomatic calculus in an unstable multipolar order - BrookingsPyongyang’s diplomatic calculus in an unstable multipolar order  Brookings North Korea diplomacy in a shifting geopolitical order - BrookingsNorth Korea diplomacy in a shifting geopolitical order  Brookings Ex-U.S. arms control official slams North Korea talks shift - upi.comEx-U.S. arms control official slams North Korea talks shift  upi.com Access Asia - From life in North Korea to pink hair dye: K-pop band 1VERSE spills all - France 24Access Asia - From life in North Korea to pink hair dye: K-pop band 1VERSE spills all  France 24 How North Korea Is Supporting Putin’s War in Ukraine - Bloomberg.comHow North Korea Is Supporting Putin’s War in Ukraine  Bloomberg.com North Korea’s Enormous Crypto Hacks Redefine Scale and Strategy - Security BoulevardNorth Korea’s Enormous Crypto Hacks Redefine Scale and Strategy  Security Boulevard North Korea faces ‘severe’ drought, according to state media - The Japan TimesNorth Korea faces ‘severe’ drought, according to state media  The Japan Times North Korea launches ballistic missiles towards sea off its east coast - Al JazeeraNorth Korea launches ballistic missiles towards sea off its east coast  Al Jazeera Number of executions in North Korea rose dramatically during Covid – report - The GuardianNumber of executions in North Korea rose dramatically during Covid – report  The Guardian North Korea’s Nuclear Arsenal is Outgrowing the US Missile Defenses - Bloomberg.comNorth Korea’s Nuclear Arsenal is Outgrowing the US Missile Defenses  Bloomberg.com North Korea's extreme battlefield doctrine revealed by Kim Jong Un during speech - Fox NewsNorth Korea's extreme battlefield doctrine revealed by Kim Jong Un during speech  Fox News North Korea says efforts underway to counter rare drought in country - Anadolu AjansiNorth Korea says efforts underway to counter rare drought in country  Anadolu Ajansi Ukraine war: North Korea's Kim Jong Un reaffirms support for Russia - BBCUkraine war: North Korea's Kim Jong Un reaffirms support for Russia  BBC Blood-stained letters on display at North Korea’s new war memorial museum - NK NewsBlood-stained letters on display at North Korea’s new war memorial museum  NK News Former DPRK diplomat peels back curtain on Pyongyang’s foreign policy apparatus - NK NewsFormer DPRK diplomat peels back curtain on Pyongyang’s foreign policy apparatus  NK News Rep. Young Kim vows push to renew North Korea Human Rights Act - upi.comRep. Young Kim vows push to renew North Korea Human Rights Act  upi.com Kim praises North Korean soldiers who blew themselves up to evade Ukraine capture - The GuardianKim praises North Korean soldiers who blew themselves up to evade Ukraine capture  The Guardian S. Korean envoy stresses commitment to 'peaceful coexistence' on peninsula, denuclearization - The Korea TimesS. Korean envoy stresses commitment to 'peaceful coexistence' on peninsula, denuclearization  The Korea Times North Korea’s Nuclear Weapons And Missile Programs – Analysis - Eurasia ReviewNorth Korea’s Nuclear Weapons And Missile Programs – Analysis  Eurasia Review South Korea no longer holds the cards against the North - Lowy InstituteSouth Korea no longer holds the cards against the North  Lowy Institute Russia’s approach to Northeast Asia in wartime - BrookingsRussia’s approach to Northeast Asia in wartime  Brookings North Korea races to shield crops from drought, state media says - DevdiscourseNorth Korea races to shield crops from drought, state media says  Devdiscourse South Korea prosecutors seek 30-year sentence for ex-president for attempting to provoke North Korea attack - Jurist.orgSouth Korea prosecutors seek 30-year sentence for ex-president for attempting to provoke North Korea attack  Jurist.org North Korea-linked actor targets Web3 execs in social-engineering campaign - Cybersecurity DiveNorth Korea-linked actor targets Web3 execs in social-engineering campaign  Cybersecurity Dive New Zealand flags 35 ‘vessels of interest’ in latest North Korea maritime patrol - NK NewsNew Zealand flags 35 ‘vessels of interest’ in latest North Korea maritime patrol  NK News Would scrapping South Korea’s ‘kill chain’ reduce tensions with North Korea? - Asia News NetworkWould scrapping South Korea’s ‘kill chain’ reduce tensions with North Korea?  Asia News Network Russia Needs North Korea More Than It Wants to Admit - Korea Economic Institute of AmericaRussia Needs North Korea More Than It Wants to Admit  Korea Economic Institute of America North Korea’s Growing Nuclear Arsenal Could Strain US Missile Defenses – Bloomberg Analysis - Kyiv PostNorth Korea’s Growing Nuclear Arsenal Could Strain US Missile Defenses – Bloomberg Analysis  Kyiv Post North Korea and the Implications of Operation Epic Fury - Begin-Sadat Center for Strategic StudiesNorth Korea and the Implications of Operation Epic Fury  Begin-Sadat Center for Strategic Studies North Korea boosting ability to manufacture nuclear arms, IAEA chief warns | Nuclear Weapons News - Al JazeeraNorth Korea boosting ability to manufacture nuclear arms, IAEA chief warns | Nuclear Weapons News  Al Jazeera North Korea faces food shortages as drought threatens crops - DW.comNorth Korea faces food shortages as drought threatens crops  DW.com Defectors' Tearful Testimonies in U.S. Congress on North Korea's Brutality - ????Defectors' Tearful Testimonies in U.S. Congress on North Korea's Brutality  ???? South Korea calls for urgent global action to address North Korea's nuclear programme - TRT WorldSouth Korea calls for urgent global action to address North Korea's nuclear programme  TRT World Senior PPP official denounces Unification Ministry's proposal on North Korea's name - Korea JoongAng DailySenior PPP official denounces Unification Ministry's proposal on North Korea's name  Korea JoongAng Daily Russia blocks release of North Korean defector movie starring Kim Min-ha - The Korea TimesRussia blocks release of North Korean defector movie starring Kim Min-ha  The Korea Times Editorial: Radio Spurred Defections: Resume North Korea Broadcasts - ????Editorial: Radio Spurred Defections: Resume North Korea Broadcasts  ???? North Korean hackers operate self-propagating supply chain hack | brief | SC Media - SC MediaNorth Korean hackers operate self-propagating supply chain hack | brief | SC Media  SC Media North Korea’s Nuclear Arsenal Is Gradually Outpacing US Missile Defense Capabilities - ??????????North Korea’s Nuclear Arsenal Is Gradually Outpacing US Missile Defense Capabilities  ?????????? Forum examines how North Korea reshaped Christian culture into state ideology - www.christiandaily.comForum examines how North Korea reshaped Christian culture into state ideology  www.christiandaily.com A blueprint for a US-South Korea combined multi-domain task force - Atlantic CouncilA blueprint for a US-South Korea combined multi-domain task force  Atlantic Council Russia defies UN, expands military cooperation with North Korea - MSNRussia defies UN, expands military cooperation with North Korea  MSN North Korea as It Is - Foreign AffairsNorth Korea as It Is  Foreign Affairs South Korea's PM, Trump discuss possible talks with North’s Kim Jong Un - The HinduSouth Korea's PM, Trump discuss possible talks with North’s Kim Jong Un  The Hindu North Korea Claims 76% of 2026 Crypto Hack Losses in Just Four Months - BeInCryptoNorth Korea Claims 76% of 2026 Crypto Hack Losses in Just Four Months  BeInCrypto North Korea's Kim praises soldiers who committed suicide to evade capture in Ukraine - ReutersNorth Korea's Kim praises soldiers who committed suicide to evade capture in Ukraine  Reuters North Korean executions rose dramatically during COVID-19, report shows - The Japan TimesNorth Korean executions rose dramatically during COVID-19, report shows  The Japan Times Hegseth calls NK's nuclear program 'lesson' as he defends Iran operation - The Korea TimesHegseth calls NK's nuclear program 'lesson' as he defends Iran operation  The Korea Times North Korea accounts for 76% of 2026 crypto hack losses, with theft since 2017 topping $6 billion: TRM Labs - The BlockNorth Korea accounts for 76% of 2026 crypto hack losses, with theft since 2017 topping $6 billion: TRM Labs  The Block Bukhan or Joson? Seoul debates official name of North Korea - The Korea TimesBukhan or Joson? Seoul debates official name of North Korea  The Korea Times North Korea Developed Counterpart to American M1129 Self-Propelled Mortar - ??????????North Korea Developed Counterpart to American M1129 Self-Propelled Mortar  ?????????? South Korea urges global backing on North Korea nuclear issue - upi.comSouth Korea urges global backing on North Korea nuclear issue  upi.com North Korea not ready for a female successor - East Asia ForumNorth Korea not ready for a female successor  East Asia Forum Russian Far East plans to boost trade with North Korea: officials - NK NewsRussian Far East plans to boost trade with North Korea: officials  NK News North Korea Is Honoring Some Of Its Soldiers Killed In The Ukraine War. But What About The Rest? - Radio Free Europe/Radio LibertyNorth Korea Is Honoring Some Of Its Soldiers Killed In The Ukraine War. But What About The Rest?  Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty North Korea's lawfare strategy - upi.comNorth Korea's lawfare strategy  upi.com North Korea Is Now Displaying Captured Western Tanks - The National InterestNorth Korea Is Now Displaying Captured Western Tanks  The National Interest 'Korean Messiah': Book details how North Korea historically intertwined politics and faith - WBUR'Korean Messiah': Book details how North Korea historically intertwined politics and faith  WBUR North Korea executions more than doubled after COVID, human rights group says - The Jerusalem PostNorth Korea executions more than doubled after COVID, human rights group says  The Jerusalem Post North Korea Leader Kim’s Nuclear Arms Shield Him From Trump - Bloomberg.comNorth Korea Leader Kim’s Nuclear Arms Shield Him From Trump  Bloomberg.com South Korea, US discuss North Korea, cooperation on disarmament, non-proliferation - lokmattimes.comSouth Korea, US discuss North Korea, cooperation on disarmament, non-proliferation  lokmattimes.com Chiang Kai-shek's Secret Bid to Reclaim Korea as Chinese Vassal - ????Chiang Kai-shek's Secret Bid to Reclaim Korea as Chinese Vassal  ???? Russia Defies UN Security Council, Continues Military Cooperation with North Korea - ????Russia Defies UN Security Council, Continues Military Cooperation with North Korea  ???? North Korea sharply increased executions during pandemic lockdown, rights group says - ReutersNorth Korea sharply increased executions during pandemic lockdown, rights group says  Reuters Kim Jong Un said that North Korean troops took 'path of self-detonation' to avoid capture in Kursk - Business InsiderKim Jong Un said that North Korean troops took 'path of self-detonation' to avoid capture in Kursk  Business Insider As world focuses on Strait of Hormuz, North Korea tests raft of new weapons - The Japan TimesAs world focuses on Strait of Hormuz, North Korea tests raft of new weapons  The Japan Times North Korea launches multiple short-range ballistic missiles toward sea - AP NewsNorth Korea launches multiple short-range ballistic missiles toward sea  AP News North Korea launches ballistic missiles toward sea - NPRNorth Korea launches ballistic missiles toward sea  NPR North Korea keeping Iran at arm’s length, reports Seoul - Al JazeeraNorth Korea keeping Iran at arm’s length, reports Seoul  Al Jazeera North Korea Could Overwhelm US Missile Defense With Nuclear Strike - UNITED24 MediaNorth Korea Could Overwhelm US Missile Defense With Nuclear Strike  UNITED24 Media North Korea faces a ‘severe’ drought, state media reports - Taipei TimesNorth Korea faces a ‘severe’ drought, state media reports  Taipei Times Inside one of the most daring escapes from North Korea - CNNInside one of the most daring escapes from North Korea  CNN 'Weapon will be used immediately...’: North Korea sends BIG message to US amid West Asia war, conducts drills with 600mm rocket launchers - WION'Weapon will be used immediately...’: North Korea sends BIG message to US amid West Asia war, conducts drills with 600mm rocket launchers  WION