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

North Korea says its latest tests included missiles armed with cluster-bomb warheads - CNN North Korea says its latest tests included missiles armed with cluster-bomb warheads  CNN North Korea unveils cluster-bomb missile, electronic warfare capability  Reuters North Korea fires suspected missiles as Pyongyang dismisses Seoul’s diplomacy hopes  The Hindu North Korea Fires Multiple Ballistic Missiles After Trump Announces Ceasefire With Iran  The Times of India North Korea fires fresh unidentified ballistic missile, 2nd time on Wednesday  Anadolu Ajansi North Korea tests ballistic missiles as tensions with Seoul escalate  Euronews.com North Korea tests military assets including ballistic missile, KCNA reports | World News  Hindustan Times North Korea fires ballistic missiles toward sea  DW.com North Korea's latest weapons tests reveal ballistic missile with cluster bomb capability: ‘Can reduce targets to ashes’  Mint China's Foreign Minister Wang Yi to visit North Korea between April 9 and 10 - The HinduChina's Foreign Minister Wang Yi to visit North Korea between April 9 and 10  The Hindu Cluster bomb warheads: North Korea's latest missile test spooks Seoul - India TodayCluster bomb warheads: North Korea's latest missile test spooks Seoul  India Today NEW WAR LOOMING? North Korea Tests Cluster Warheads From Nuclear-Capable Hwasong-11 Missile - The Times of IndiaNEW WAR LOOMING? North Korea Tests Cluster Warheads From Nuclear-Capable Hwasong-11 Missile  The Times of India Over 2 Consecutive Days, North Korea Fires Ballistic Missiles Toward East Sea - The Diplomat – Asia-Pacific Current Affairs MagazineOver 2 Consecutive Days, North Korea Fires Ballistic Missiles Toward East Sea  The Diplomat – Asia-Pacific Current Affairs Magazine Why is Kim Jong Un’s North Korea testing missiles amid Iran war? Latest tests alarm South Korea – What is hap - India.ComWhy is Kim Jong Un’s North Korea testing missiles amid Iran war? Latest tests alarm South Korea – What is hap  India.Com Slice of Pyongyang in India: North Korea will be ‘country partner’ of Delhi film festival next month - The Indian ExpressSlice of Pyongyang in India: North Korea will be ‘country partner’ of Delhi film festival next month  The Indian Express North Korea Says It Tested an Electromagnetic Weapons System - Bloomberg.comNorth Korea Says It Tested an Electromagnetic Weapons System  Bloomberg.com North Korea Tests Cluster-Warhead Missile Systems - GK TodayNorth Korea Tests Cluster-Warhead Missile Systems  GK Today North Korea conducts third missile launch in two days: ROK military - NK NewsNorth Korea conducts third missile launch in two days: ROK military  NK News ‘No one loses’: why North Korea’s Kim may shake hands with Trump again - South China Morning Post‘No one loses’: why North Korea’s Kim may shake hands with Trump again  South China Morning Post North Korea fires fresh ballistic missiles as war of words with Seoul intensifies - The Economic TimesNorth Korea fires fresh ballistic missiles as war of words with Seoul intensifies  The Economic Times What Is Carbon Fibre Bomb? Blackout Weapon US Used In Iraq That North Korea Now Claims To Have - News18What Is Carbon Fibre Bomb? Blackout Weapon US Used In Iraq That North Korea Now Claims To Have  News18 North Korea Conducted Test of Electromagnetic Weapon System, KCNA Says - MintNorth Korea Conducted Test of Electromagnetic Weapon System, KCNA Says  Mint North Korea tests multiple weapon systems over three days, South remains alert - FirstpostNorth Korea tests multiple weapon systems over three days, South remains alert  Firstpost North Korea test-fires ballistic missile with cluster munition warhead - TRT WorldNorth Korea test-fires ballistic missile with cluster munition warhead  TRT World Japan and Australia Deepen Defense Ties Amid Middle East Turmoil and North Korea Missile Test - The Diplomat – Asia-Pacific Current Affairs MagazineJapan and Australia Deepen Defense Ties Amid Middle East Turmoil and North Korea Missile Test  The Diplomat – Asia-Pacific Current Affairs Magazine Why are North and South Korea divided? - BritannicaWhy are North and South Korea divided?  Britannica North Korea Tests Cluster-Bomb Warhead and Electromagnetic Weapons - StratNews GlobalNorth Korea Tests Cluster-Bomb Warhead and Electromagnetic Weapons  StratNews Global North Korea's Cutting-Edge Warfare Tests Sparks Global Attention - DevdiscourseNorth Korea's Cutting-Edge Warfare Tests Sparks Global Attention  Devdiscourse 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 Tests Several Military Systems, Including Tactical Ballistic Missiles - Hasht-e Subh DailyNorth Korea Tests Several Military Systems, Including Tactical Ballistic Missiles  Hasht-e Subh Daily North Korea's New Missile Test Escalates Tensions - DevdiscourseNorth Korea's New Missile Test Escalates Tensions  Devdiscourse Kim's rare praise, Lee's apology and then a barrage of missiles: Why did North Korea fire two rounds desp - The Times of IndiaKim's rare praise, Lee's apology and then a barrage of missiles: Why did North Korea fire two rounds desp  The Times of India North Korea's Missile Test Blitz: A Show of Strength Amid Diplomatic Isolation - DevdiscourseNorth Korea's Missile Test Blitz: A Show of Strength Amid Diplomatic Isolation  Devdiscourse N. Korea says test-fired tactical ballistic missile tipped with cluster bomb warhead - The Korea TimesN. Korea says test-fired tactical ballistic missile tipped with cluster bomb warhead  The Korea Times South Korea’s military faces scrutiny over handling of North Korean missile launches - The Korea HeraldSouth Korea’s military faces scrutiny over handling of North Korean missile launches  The Korea Herald North Korea fires missiles toward sea after ridiculing South’s hopes for better ties - Los Angeles TimesNorth Korea fires missiles toward sea after ridiculing South’s hopes for better ties  Los Angeles Times North Korea tests ballistic missile armed with cluster bomb - News.azNorth Korea tests ballistic missile armed with cluster bomb  News.az North Korea fires missiles toward sea after ridiculing South’s hopes for better ties - NBC NewsNorth Korea fires missiles toward sea after ridiculing South’s hopes for better ties  NBC News North Korea learning lessons from Iran war: analyst - ReutersNorth Korea learning lessons from Iran war: analyst  Reuters Archaeologists in North Korea uncover 5,500-year-old salt production site - Yeni Safak EnglishArchaeologists in North Korea uncover 5,500-year-old salt production site  Yeni Safak English North Korea’s hidden past: 5,000-year-old salt production site unearthed - Türkiye TodayNorth Korea’s hidden past: 5,000-year-old salt production site unearthed  Türkiye Today The Guardian view on North Korea and the Kims: whoever’s at the helm, the regime serves only itself | Editorial - The GuardianThe Guardian view on North Korea and the Kims: whoever’s at the helm, the regime serves only itself | Editorial  The Guardian North Korea’s Surprise Offering to the South: Presidential Flattery - WSJNorth Korea’s Surprise Offering to the South: Presidential Flattery  WSJ Chinese FM's Pyongyang visit signals coordination ahead of Trump-Xi summit - The Korea TimesChinese FM's Pyongyang visit signals coordination ahead of Trump-Xi summit  The Korea Times Belarus says it will open embassy in North Korea by August - NK NewsBelarus says it will open embassy in North Korea by August  NK News Belarus to open embassy in North Korea by August on heels of Lukashenko's visit - Korea JoongAng DailyBelarus to open embassy in North Korea by August on heels of Lukashenko's visit  Korea JoongAng Daily South Korea Rushes ‘Korean Iron Dome’ Into Service by 2029 as North Korea’s Massive Rocket Threat to Seoul Intensifies - Defence Security AsiaSouth Korea Rushes ‘Korean Iron Dome’ Into Service by 2029 as North Korea’s Massive Rocket Threat to Seoul Intensifies  Defence Security Asia North Korea fires missiles toward sea after ridiculing South's hopes for better ties - Decatur DailyNorth Korea fires missiles toward sea after ridiculing South's hopes for better ties  Decatur Daily North Korea courts Chinese fishing investment while preaching self-reliance - DailyNKNorth Korea courts Chinese fishing investment while preaching self-reliance  DailyNK North Korea fires ballistic missiles as Pyongyang dismisses Seoul’s diplomacy hopes - The Japan TimesNorth Korea fires ballistic missiles as Pyongyang dismisses Seoul’s diplomacy hopes  The Japan Times North Korean Congress Codifies New Nuclear Policy - The Jamestown FoundationNorth Korean Congress Codifies New Nuclear Policy  The Jamestown Foundation North Korea rejects South's reading of Kim Yo Jong remarks - upi.comNorth Korea rejects South's reading of Kim Yo Jong remarks  upi.com North Korea announces successful test of tactical ballistic missile armed with cluster munition warhead - Ilke Haber AjansiNorth Korea announces successful test of tactical ballistic missile armed with cluster munition warhead  Ilke Haber Ajansi North Korea fires missiles toward sea after ridiculing South’s hopes for better ties - AP NewsNorth Korea fires missiles toward sea after ridiculing South’s hopes for better ties  AP News South Korea turns to EU to revive talks with the North - DW.comSouth Korea turns to EU to revive talks with the North  DW.com '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 Cuban president congratulates Kim Jong-un on re-election, affirms 'commitment to expanding friendship' - Korea JoongAng DailyCuban president congratulates Kim Jong-un on re-election, affirms 'commitment to expanding friendship'  Korea JoongAng Daily North Korea says it test-fired tactical ballistic missile with cluster warhead - Anadolu AjansiNorth Korea says it test-fired tactical ballistic missile with cluster warhead  Anadolu Ajansi Salt-producing relics, facilities dating back to Neolithic and Bronze Age found in North Korea: KCNA - Korea JoongAng DailySalt-producing relics, facilities dating back to Neolithic and Bronze Age found in North Korea: KCNA  Korea JoongAng Daily North Korea says it tested missiles with cluster munitions, blackout bombs - NK NewsNorth Korea says it tested missiles with cluster munitions, blackout bombs  NK News North Korea fires ballistic missiles as Pyongyang dismisses Seoul's diplomacy hopes - ReutersNorth Korea fires ballistic missiles as Pyongyang dismisses Seoul's diplomacy hopes  Reuters North Korea tests cluster-bomb warhead capable of 'reducing any target to ashes' - Korea JoongAng DailyNorth Korea tests cluster-bomb warhead capable of 'reducing any target to ashes'  Korea JoongAng Daily Seoul plans to replace troops on North Korea border with AI-based systems - NK NewsSeoul plans to replace troops on North Korea border with AI-based systems  NK News China's foreign minister to visit North Korea to bolster loosened ties - ReutersChina's foreign minister to visit North Korea to bolster loosened ties  Reuters Kim Jong-un’s Daughter Drives a Tank as Talk Accelerates Around North Korea Succession - The New York TimesKim Jong-un’s Daughter Drives a Tank as Talk Accelerates Around North Korea Succession  The New York Times Cuban president congratulates N. Korea's Kim on reelection as top leader - The Korea TimesCuban president congratulates N. Korea's Kim on reelection as top leader  The Korea Times North Korea holds three days of weapons testing - report - RNZNorth Korea holds three days of weapons testing - report  RNZ North Korea Tests ‘Devil’s Weapon’ Cluster Bomb Missile - ????North Korea Tests ‘Devil’s Weapon’ Cluster Bomb Missile  ???? 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 says its latest tests included missiles armed with cluster-bomb warheads - The IndependentNorth Korea says its latest tests included missiles armed with cluster-bomb warheads  The Independent North Korea launches a second projectile in 2 days, Seoul says - PoliticoNorth Korea launches a second projectile in 2 days, Seoul says  Politico North Korea holds three days of weapons testing - CNANorth Korea holds three days of weapons testing  CNA North Korea says newly tested warhead can reduce targets to ‘ashes’ - Stars and StripesNorth Korea says newly tested warhead can reduce targets to ‘ashes’  Stars and Stripes 5,000-year-old salt facilities discovered in north korea - News.az5,000-year-old salt facilities discovered in north korea  News.az North Korea learning lessons from Iran war: analyst - YahooNorth Korea learning lessons from Iran war: analyst  Yahoo North Korea fires 10 ballistic missiles during U.S.-South Korea military drills - The HinduNorth Korea fires 10 ballistic missiles during U.S.-South Korea military drills  The Hindu North Korea bats down Seoul’s ‘dream’ of inter-Korean thaw after rare praise - NK NewsNorth Korea bats down Seoul’s ‘dream’ of inter-Korean thaw after rare praise  NK News Suspected ballistic missile fired by North Korea falls into sea after just 10 minutes following ‘abnormality’ - The IndependentSuspected ballistic missile fired by North Korea falls into sea after just 10 minutes following ‘abnormality’  The Independent 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 fires missiles toward sea after ridiculing South's hopes for better ties - The Daily ReviewNorth Korea fires missiles toward sea after ridiculing South's hopes for better ties  The Daily Review Belarus leader gifts North Korea's Kim with rifle as they sign friendship treaty - BBCBelarus leader gifts North Korea's Kim with rifle as they sign friendship treaty  BBC South Korea: North fired projectiles on two straight days - nhk.or.jpSouth Korea: North fired projectiles on two straight days  nhk.or.jp North Korea's hijack of one of the web's most used open source projects was likely weeks in the making - TechCrunchNorth Korea's hijack of one of the web's most used open source projects was likely weeks in the making  TechCrunch North Korea unveils cluster-bomb missile, electronic warfare capability - The Straits TimesNorth Korea unveils cluster-bomb missile, electronic warfare capability  The Straits Times New Report Reveals Testimonies of North Koreans Exploited Across Russia in 100,000-Strong Global State-Sponsored Forced-Labour Programme - Global Rights ComplianceNew Report Reveals Testimonies of North Koreans Exploited Across Russia in 100,000-Strong Global State-Sponsored Forced-Labour Programme  Global Rights Compliance North Korea missile test/launch by April 30, 2026? Trading Odds & Predictions - PolymarketNorth Korea missile test/launch by April 30, 2026? Trading Odds & Predictions  Polymarket North Korea using elite rugby to entice English teachers from Britain - City AMNorth Korea using elite rugby to entice English teachers from Britain  City AM North Korea fires two rounds of ballistic missiles: Seoul military - DawnNorth Korea fires two rounds of ballistic missiles: Seoul military  Dawn North Korea fires missiles toward sea after ridiculing South's hopes for better ties - Fox NewsNorth Korea fires missiles toward sea after ridiculing South's hopes for better ties  Fox News Belarus to establish embassy in North Korea - Kursiv MediaBelarus to establish embassy in North Korea  Kursiv Media North Korea fires multiple short-range ballistic missiles towards the sea - The Irish IndependentNorth Korea fires multiple short-range ballistic missiles towards the sea  The Irish Independent North Korea’s Kim meets Lukashenko, slams ‘pressure ?on Belarus from West’ - Al JazeeraNorth Korea’s Kim meets Lukashenko, slams ‘pressure ?on Belarus from West’  Al Jazeera Kim Jong Un uses Iran war to justify North Korea’s decision to keep its nuclear weapons - CNNKim Jong Un uses Iran war to justify North Korea’s decision to keep its nuclear weapons  CNN Who is Kim Jong Un’s daughter, and could she be North Korea's next leader? - USA TodayWho is Kim Jong Un’s daughter, and could she be North Korea's next leader?  USA Today North Korea's Kim Jong Un reappointed as president of state affairs - Le Monde.frNorth Korea's Kim Jong Un reappointed as president of state affairs  Le Monde.fr Kim Jong Un reappointed as president of North Korea - Al JazeeraKim Jong Un reappointed as president of North Korea  Al Jazeera North Korea's Kim Jong Un doubles down on nuclear program - DW.comNorth Korea's Kim Jong Un doubles down on nuclear program  DW.com North Korean vice economic minister to serve as new ambassador to Belarus - NK NewsNorth Korean vice economic minister to serve as new ambassador to Belarus  NK News North Korea shows rare civility toward South after President Lee expresses regret over drones - Korea JoongAng DailyNorth Korea shows rare civility toward South after President Lee expresses regret over drones  Korea JoongAng Daily North Korea and Belarus sign ‘friendship and cooperation’ treaty - The GuardianNorth Korea and Belarus sign ‘friendship and cooperation’ treaty  The Guardian