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

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                              North Korea News.Net North Korea zone Sinboj The People's Korea
Tourism -         Ministry Of Tourism

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Korean troops march in Russia's Victory Day parade for 1st time - The Korea TimesN. Korean troops march in Russia's Victory Day parade for 1st time  The Korea Times North Korea and Russia set to open first-ever road bridge link - BBCNorth Korea and Russia set to open first-ever road bridge link  BBC Dressed for succession: What Kim Ju Ae's outfits tell us about North Korea - BBCDressed for succession: What Kim Ju Ae's outfits tell us about North Korea  BBC North Korea says it’s not bound by NPT, rejects denuclearization - NK NewsNorth Korea says it’s not bound by NPT, rejects denuclearization  NK News Seoul says North Korea constitution revision won’t change peace policy - NK NewsSeoul says North Korea constitution revision won’t change peace policy  NK News South Korea to Seek Peace Despite North’s Revised Constitution - The Defense PostSouth Korea to Seek Peace Despite North’s Revised Constitution  The Defense Post North Korea says it will deploy new nuclear-armed warship in ‘mid-June’ - NK NewsNorth Korea says it will deploy new nuclear-armed warship in ‘mid-June’  NK News North Korea unveils new long-range artillery system capable of striking Seoul - The Korea HeraldNorth Korea unveils new long-range artillery system capable of striking Seoul  The Korea Herald Analysis: Russian security assistance is creating problems on the Korean Peninsula - The Long War JournalAnalysis: Russian security assistance is creating problems on the Korean Peninsula  The Long War Journal North Korea leader Kim inspects artillery that can hit South Korean capital - ReutersNorth Korea leader Kim inspects artillery that can hit South Korean capital  Reuters US Court Allows Aave to Move $71 Million Frozen in North Korea-Linked Hack Case - bloomingbitUS Court Allows Aave to Move $71 Million Frozen in North Korea-Linked Hack Case  bloomingbit North Korea says it’s not bound to any treaty on non-proliferation of nuclear weapons - Anadolu AjansiNorth Korea says it’s not bound to any treaty on non-proliferation of nuclear weapons  Anadolu Ajansi North Korea’s ‘Legendary’ Lazarus Faces US Court Test Over $71 Million - bloomingbitNorth Korea’s ‘Legendary’ Lazarus Faces US Court Test Over $71 Million  bloomingbit 300 defense factories, 500,000 workers: North Korea's arms industry reaches records amid Russia's demand for shells in war - Euromaidan Press300 defense factories, 500,000 workers: North Korea's arms industry reaches records amid Russia's demand for shells in war  Euromaidan Press North Korea to deploy new long-range artillery near border - upi.comNorth Korea to deploy new long-range artillery near border  upi.com North Korea Begins Production of 155mm Self-Propelled Howitzers with 60km+ Range — Could russia Acquire Them? 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- MSNNorth Korea’s next ruler is just 12 years old - is the world ready?  MSN 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 says not bound by nuclear non-proliferation treaty - Inquirer.netNorth Korea says not bound by nuclear non-proliferation treaty  Inquirer.net North Korea as It Is - Foreign AffairsNorth Korea as It Is  Foreign Affairs North Korea steps up waterborne disease warnings in 2026 - DailyNKNorth Korea steps up waterborne disease warnings in 2026  DailyNK North Korea to deploy new gun-howitzer system within firing range of Seoul - Korea JoongAng DailyNorth Korea to deploy new gun-howitzer system within firing range of Seoul  Korea JoongAng Daily Russia, North Korea agree 'long-term' military cooperation - DW.comRussia, North Korea agree 'long-term' military cooperation  DW.com 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 drops unification goal and defines borders in new constitution - Kursiv MediaNorth Korea drops unification goal and defines borders in new constitution  Kursiv Media How North Korea uses Christianity to protect Kim dynasty - DW.comHow North Korea uses Christianity to protect Kim dynasty  DW.com North Korea's revised Constitution removes reunification, mentions N-weapons - nhk.or.jpNorth Korea's revised Constitution removes reunification, mentions N-weapons  nhk.or.jp Global powers should not turn a blind eye to North Korea - The Berkeley High JacketGlobal powers should not turn a blind eye to North Korea  The Berkeley High Jacket North Korea will deploy new artillery guns targeting Seoul and commission its 1st destroyer - The IndependentNorth Korea will deploy new artillery guns targeting Seoul and commission its 1st destroyer  The Independent The Case for a Cold Peace with North Korea | The Capital Cable #133 - CSIS | Center for Strategic and International StudiesThe Case for a Cold Peace with North Korea | The Capital Cable #133  CSIS | Center for Strategic and International Studies North Korea launches ballistic missiles toward sea - NPRNorth Korea launches ballistic missiles toward sea  NPR North Korea will deploy new artillery guns targeting Seoul - timesdaily.comNorth Korea will deploy new artillery guns targeting Seoul  timesdaily.com Aave Wins Court Battle Over $71M ETH Linked to North Korea - CoinfomaniaAave Wins Court Battle Over $71M ETH Linked to North Korea  Coinfomania North Korea unveils K9-inspired howitzer system - ????North Korea unveils K9-inspired howitzer system  ???? US ‘restricts intelligence sharing with South Korea’ after minister identified suspected nuclear site - The GuardianUS ‘restricts intelligence sharing with South Korea’ after minister identified suspected nuclear site  The Guardian North Korean leader Kim orders handover of new destroyer to navy in mid-June - nhk.or.jpNorth Korean leader Kim orders handover of new destroyer to navy in mid-June  nhk.or.jp North Korea rapidly expanding nuclear weapons capability, UN watchdog warns - The GuardianNorth Korea rapidly expanding nuclear weapons capability, UN watchdog warns  The Guardian North Korea's Kim Jong Un and daughter eat with crew on new warship Choe Hyon - Sky NewsNorth Korea's Kim Jong Un and daughter eat with crew on new warship Choe Hyon  Sky News North Korea launches multiple short-range ballistic missiles toward sea - AP NewsNorth Korea launches multiple short-range ballistic missiles toward sea  AP News Watchdog warns of rapid North Korea nuclear expansion - CNNWatchdog warns of rapid North Korea nuclear expansion  CNN How North Korea Won - Foreign AffairsHow North Korea Won  Foreign Affairs North Korea’s quiet constitutional changes signal reunification with South no longer a priority - Washington TimesNorth Korea’s quiet constitutional changes signal reunification with South no longer a priority  Washington Times North Korea again tests cluster munitions in a launch observed by Kim and his daughter - NBC NewsNorth Korea again tests cluster munitions in a launch observed by Kim and his daughter  NBC News North Korea Unveils New Howitzer Claimed to Reach All of Seoul - ????North Korea Unveils New Howitzer Claimed to Reach All of Seoul  ????