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

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 North Korea's Kim casts youth as vanguard of state goals amid Russia war - ReutersNorth Korea's Kim casts youth as vanguard of state goals amid Russia war  Reuters 'Absurd slander': North Korea denies US cybercrime charges - Firstpost'Absurd slander': North Korea denies US cybercrime charges  Firstpost North Korea Puts Its Medium-Term Plan on Track - The Diplomat – Asia-PacificNorth Korea Puts Its Medium-Term Plan on Track  The Diplomat – Asia-Pacific Why a 5-year defence pact between North Korea and Russia could make China uneasy - South China Morning PostWhy a 5-year defence pact between North Korea and Russia could make China uneasy  South China Morning Post ‘Enemy state’: North Korea threat explodes - News.com.au‘Enemy state’: North Korea threat explodes  News.com.au OP-ED: Iran nuclear crisis may shape North Korea policy - upi.comOP-ED: Iran nuclear crisis may shape North Korea policy  upi.com North Korea Rebuts U.S. Cyber Threat Allegations - DevdiscourseNorth Korea Rebuts U.S. Cyber Threat Allegations  Devdiscourse Kim hails North Korean soldiers as ‘heroes’ for suicide attacks in Ukraine war - FirstpostKim hails North Korean soldiers as ‘heroes’ for suicide attacks in Ukraine war  Firstpost ?? or ??? South Korea debates what to call North Korea - The Guardian?? or ??? South Korea debates what to call North Korea  The Guardian Pyongyang’s northern turn is reshaping the Korean Peninsula - BrookingsPyongyang’s northern turn is reshaping the Korean Peninsula  Brookings North Korea rejects cybercrime allegations, accuses US of smear campaign - Asia News NetworkNorth Korea rejects cybercrime allegations, accuses US of smear campaign  Asia News Network 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 North Korean women's football team to face South on May 20 - The Korea TimesNorth Korean women's football team to face South on May 20  The Korea Times North Korea denies role in crypto hacking cases - upi.comNorth Korea denies role in crypto hacking cases  upi.com 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 slams Japan's move to revise key security documents - Korea JoongAng DailyNorth Korea slams Japan's move to revise key security documents  Korea JoongAng Daily North Korea threatens retaliation after US claims of cyber attacks - The Jerusalem PostNorth Korea threatens retaliation after US claims of cyber attacks  The Jerusalem Post 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 Kim Jong-Un - BritannicaKim Jong-Un  Britannica Does Trump Get Another Shot at North Korea? - Toda Peace InstituteDoes Trump Get Another Shot at North Korea?  Toda Peace Institute North Korea terrorism creditors move to seize Arbitrum-frozen Kelp DAO ETH ahead of DeFi United vote - The BlockNorth Korea terrorism creditors move to seize Arbitrum-frozen Kelp DAO ETH ahead of DeFi United vote  The Block North Korea rejects US cybercrime claims as 'absurd slander' - dw.comNorth Korea rejects US cybercrime claims as 'absurd slander'  dw.com 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 new geopolitics of Asia and the prospects of North Korea diplomacy - BrookingsThe new geopolitics of Asia and the prospects of North Korea diplomacy  Brookings Rethinking North Korea diplomacy - BrookingsRethinking North Korea diplomacy  Brookings Should Japan change its approach to North Korean denuclearization? - BrookingsShould Japan change its approach to North Korean denuclearization?  Brookings Executions in North Korea ramped up significantly during pandemic - report - BBCExecutions in North Korea ramped up significantly during pandemic - report  BBC N. Korea's Kim calls for active role of young generation in party affairs - The Korea TimesN. Korea's Kim calls for active role of young generation in party affairs  The Korea Times North Korea-Linked Hackers Drive 76% of Crypto Hack Losses in 2026 - The420.inNorth Korea-Linked Hackers Drive 76% of Crypto Hack Losses in 2026  The420.in China is confronting new realities on the Korean Peninsula - BrookingsChina is confronting new realities on the Korean Peninsula  Brookings North Korea Denies US Allegations of Cyber Attacks - VOI.idNorth Korea Denies US Allegations of Cyber Attacks  VOI.id North Korea - Relations, South, Tensions - BritannicaNorth Korea - Relations, South, Tensions  Britannica ISMG Editors: North Korea's Fake Meetings Fuel Crypto Heists - Bank Info SecurityISMG Editors: North Korea's Fake Meetings Fuel Crypto Heists  Bank Info Security North Korea - Nuclear, Juche, Reunification - BritannicaNorth Korea - Nuclear, Juche, Reunification  Britannica 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 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 North Korea calls US cyber crime accusations 'absurd slander' - Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha (BSS)North Korea calls US cyber crime accusations 'absurd slander'  Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha (BSS) Kim Ju-ae: North Korea’s next leader or just a prop for her father? - The ObserverKim Ju-ae: North Korea’s next leader or just a prop for her father?  The Observer North Korean Women's Team Visits South After 8-Year Gap - ????North Korean Women's Team Visits South After 8-Year Gap  ???? North Korean Women's Club Team Visits South Korea After 12 Years - ????North Korean Women's Club Team Visits South Korea After 12 Years  ???? Kim Jong Un praises troops who 'self-blasted' to avoid capture by Ukraine - BBCKim Jong Un praises troops who 'self-blasted' to avoid capture by Ukraine  BBC North Korea boosting ability to manufacture nuclear arms, IAEA chief warns - Al JazeeraNorth Korea boosting ability to manufacture nuclear arms, IAEA chief warns  Al Jazeera North Korea: 34 Rules That’ll Scare You - vocal.mediaNorth Korea: 34 Rules That’ll Scare You  vocal.media 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 North Korea’s Kim casts youth as vanguard of state goals amid Russia war - InternazionaleNorth Korea’s Kim casts youth as vanguard of state goals amid Russia war  Internazionale 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 Kim Jong Un praises soldier suicides, signals deepening role in Russia’s war - CNNKim Jong Un praises soldier suicides, signals deepening role in Russia’s war  CNN 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 North Korea’s Nuclear Weapons And Missile Programs – Analysis - Eurasia ReviewNorth Korea’s Nuclear Weapons And Missile Programs – Analysis  Eurasia Review 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 Workers’ Day in North Korea - The Korea HeraldWorkers’ Day in North Korea  The Korea Herald North Korea - Politics, Economy, Society - BritannicaNorth Korea - Politics, Economy, Society  Britannica ‘Sea of Blood’: The acclaimed opera written by a North Korean dictator in 1971 - dangerousminds.net‘Sea of Blood’: The acclaimed opera written by a North Korean dictator in 1971  dangerousminds.net Korean War - BritannicaKorean War  Britannica 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 Denies U.S. Cyber Threat Accusations - DevdiscourseNorth Korea Denies U.S. Cyber Threat Accusations  Devdiscourse North Korea as It Is - Foreign AffairsNorth Korea as It Is  Foreign Affairs Is ‘North Koreanization’ The Only Logical Move Left For Iran? – Analysis - Eurasia ReviewIs ‘North Koreanization’ The Only Logical Move Left For Iran? – Analysis  Eurasia Review That Other Nuclear Nightmare: North Korea Sounds New Alarms - The Cipher BriefThat Other Nuclear Nightmare: North Korea Sounds New Alarms  The Cipher Brief South Korea no longer holds the cards against the North - Lowy InstituteSouth Korea no longer holds the cards against the North  Lowy Institute Lee Woong-pyeong: 6 Years North, 19 in South Air Force - ????Lee Woong-pyeong: 6 Years North, 19 in South Air Force  ???? 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 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 Nuclear Arsenal Is Gradually Outpacing US Missile Defense Capabilities - ??????????North Korea’s Nuclear Arsenal Is Gradually Outpacing US Missile Defense Capabilities  ?????????? '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 North Korea Denies US Cyber Threat Allegations, Calls Them Fabricated - RatopatiNorth Korea Denies US Cyber Threat Allegations, Calls Them Fabricated  Ratopati An extraordinary story - facebook.comAn extraordinary story  facebook.com 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 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 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 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 North Korea launches ballistic missiles toward sea - NPRNorth Korea launches ballistic missiles toward sea  NPR Inside one of the most daring escapes from North Korea - CNNInside one of the most daring escapes from North Korea  CNN North Korea launches multiple short-range ballistic missiles toward sea - AP NewsNorth Korea launches multiple short-range ballistic missiles toward sea  AP News 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 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 North Korea cyber threats heighten risk of $1.2B crypto hacks in 2026 - Crypto BriefingNorth Korea cyber threats heighten risk of $1.2B crypto hacks in 2026  Crypto Briefing 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 76% of All Crypto Stolen in 2026 Is Now in North Korea - Dark Reading76% of All Crypto Stolen in 2026 Is Now in North Korea  Dark Reading North Korea keeping Iran at arm’s length, reports Seoul - Al JazeeraNorth Korea keeping Iran at arm’s length, reports Seoul  Al Jazeera 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 fires around 10 ballistic missiles toward Sea of Japan amid military drill tensions - The Times of IndiaNorth Korea fires around 10 ballistic missiles toward Sea of Japan amid military drill tensions  The Times of India North Korea Is Now Displaying Captured Western Tanks - The National InterestNorth Korea Is Now Displaying Captured Western Tanks  The National Interest North Korea fires ballistic missiles again, flexing muscle amid Iran war - ReutersNorth Korea fires ballistic missiles again, flexing muscle amid Iran war  Reuters These North Korean brothers spent 10 years planning their escape. Months after reaching freedom, everything changed - CNNThese North Korean brothers spent 10 years planning their escape. Months after reaching freedom, everything changed  CNN US warns Iran mimics North Korea’s nuclear strategy amid military tensions - mexc.coUS warns Iran mimics North Korea’s nuclear strategy amid military tensions  mexc.co North Korea not ready for a female successor - East Asia ForumNorth Korea not ready for a female successor  East Asia Forum North Korea's lawfare strategy - upi.comNorth Korea's lawfare strategy  upi.com North Korea's Kim casts youth as vanguard of state goals amid Russia war - Yahoo News UKNorth Korea's Kim casts youth as vanguard of state goals amid Russia war  Yahoo News UK 34,537 escapes, countless stories - The Korea Times34,537 escapes, countless stories  The Korea Times Common threats help Japan, South Korea overlook historical rows - South China Morning PostCommon threats help Japan, South Korea overlook historical rows  South China Morning Post North Korea’s strategic play in an era of great power confrontation - East Asia ForumNorth Korea’s strategic play in an era of great power confrontation  East Asia Forum North Korea’s Kim Jong Un warns South Korea, says US should end hostility - Al JazeeraNorth Korea’s Kim Jong Un warns South Korea, says US should end hostility  Al Jazeera North Korea’s Surprise Offering to the South: Presidential Flattery - WSJNorth Korea’s Surprise Offering to the South: Presidential Flattery  WSJ North Korea fires ballistic missiles as US-South Korea hold military drills - Al JazeeraNorth Korea fires ballistic missiles as US-South Korea hold military drills  Al Jazeera North Korea dismisses hacking allegations, calls U.S. claims an 'absurd slander' - Korea JoongAng DailyNorth Korea dismisses hacking allegations, calls U.S. claims an 'absurd slander'  Korea JoongAng Daily 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 North Korea Calls Hacking Accusations Ridiculous Smear Campaign - ????North Korea Calls Hacking Accusations Ridiculous Smear Campaign  ????