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

'Controversial' Korea setting for Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 4 - BBC'Controversial' Korea setting for Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 4  BBC "Never Ever": North Korea Rejects Denuclearisation Push By Quad Nations - NDTV"Never Ever": North Korea Rejects Denuclearisation Push By Quad Nations  NDTV ‘Will never happen’: North Korea rejects Quad’s call for denuclearisation - The Times of India‘Will never happen’: North Korea rejects Quad’s call for denuclearisation  The Times of India North Korea rejects Quad call for denuclearisation, says it will ‘never’ abandon nuclear weapons - FirstpostNorth Korea rejects Quad call for denuclearisation, says it will ‘never’ abandon nuclear weapons  Firstpost Singaporean Foreign Minister Winds Up Working Visit to North Korea - The Diplomat – Asia-PacificSingaporean Foreign Minister Winds Up Working Visit to North Korea  The Diplomat – Asia-Pacific North Korea not keen to engage with the US or South Korea, Singapore FM says - ThePrintNorth Korea not keen to engage with the US or South Korea, Singapore FM says  ThePrint North Korea ‘not keen’ on engaging with US, South: Singapore FM - Arab NewsNorth Korea ‘not keen’ on engaging with US, South: Singapore FM  Arab News China Needs North Korea on Its Side - Foreign PolicyChina Needs North Korea on Its Side  Foreign Policy South Korea Counters North Korea's Missile Power With New AI Weapons | FP Video - FirstpostSouth Korea Counters North Korea's Missile Power With New AI Weapons | FP Video  Firstpost North Korea tests new lightweight multi-purpose missile launch system - France 24North Korea tests new lightweight multi-purpose missile launch system  France 24 A quiet reset in ties is brewing along the China-North Korea border - South China Morning PostA quiet reset in ties is brewing along the China-North Korea border  South China Morning Post North Korea tests AI-guided missiles and artillery rockets designed for modern warfare, KCNA says - ReutersNorth Korea tests AI-guided missiles and artillery rockets designed for modern warfare, KCNA says  Reuters A championship prize must not become a weapon for North Korea - upi.comA championship prize must not become a weapon for North Korea  upi.com North Korea: A Struggle Between Isolation and Engagement - DevdiscourseNorth Korea: A Struggle Between Isolation and Engagement  Devdiscourse North Korea - Economy, Resources, Trade - BritannicaNorth Korea - Economy, Resources, Trade  Britannica Amid Rumors of a Visit by China’s Leader, North Korea Fires Close-Range Ballistic Missiles - The Diplomat – Asia-PacificAmid Rumors of a Visit by China’s Leader, North Korea Fires Close-Range Ballistic Missiles  The Diplomat – Asia-Pacific North Korea Tests New Lightweight Launch System and Tactical Cruise Missiles - USNI NewsNorth Korea Tests New Lightweight Launch System and Tactical Cruise Missiles  USNI News North Korea no longer interested in engaging with US, says Singapore foreign minister - Anadolu AjansiNorth Korea no longer interested in engaging with US, says Singapore foreign minister  Anadolu Ajansi What Everyone is Missing About North Korea’s Reunification Strategy - War on the RocksWhat Everyone is Missing About North Korea’s Reunification Strategy  War on the Rocks Building a State-Controlled Knowledge Infrastructure: The Evolution of Distance Education in North Korea - 38 NorthBuilding a State-Controlled Knowledge Infrastructure: The Evolution of Distance Education in North Korea  38 North In the World’s Economic “Black Holes,” Data Still Leaks Out - UC San Diego TodayIn the World’s Economic “Black Holes,” Data Still Leaks Out  UC San Diego Today North Korea Unveils AI-Guided Weapons in New Missile Tests - Modern DiplomacyNorth Korea Unveils AI-Guided Weapons in New Missile Tests  Modern Diplomacy North Korea says denuclearization ‘will never happen’ after Quad call - Türkiye TodayNorth Korea says denuclearization ‘will never happen’ after Quad call  Türkiye Today Hegseth praises Seoul’s defense commitments, omits reference to North Korea - NK NewsHegseth praises Seoul’s defense commitments, omits reference to North Korea  NK News North Korea Returns to the South Via Women’s Football - The Diplomat – Asia-PacificNorth Korea Returns to the South Via Women’s Football  The Diplomat – Asia-Pacific North Korea tests new missile launch system — report - dw.comNorth Korea tests new missile launch system — report  dw.com North Korea imports $4M worth of Russian rye wheat flour through April: Data - NK NewsNorth Korea imports $4M worth of Russian rye wheat flour through April: Data  NK News North Korea launches ballistic missile and other weapons over the sea in latest show of force - NBC NewsNorth Korea launches ballistic missile and other weapons over the sea in latest show of force  NBC News North Korea fired several missiles, South Korean military says - Japan TodayNorth Korea fired several missiles, South Korean military says  Japan Today North Korean hackers Kimsuky target South Korea with new malware variants | brief | SC Media - SC MediaNorth Korean hackers Kimsuky target South Korea with new malware variants | brief | SC Media  SC Media North Korea Rejects Quad Denuclearisation Call - GK TodayNorth Korea Rejects Quad Denuclearisation Call  GK Today North Korea says it will deploy new artillery guns targeting Seoul - NPRNorth Korea says it will deploy new artillery guns targeting Seoul  NPR Kim Jong-Un - BritannicaKim Jong-Un  Britannica Singapore foreign minister in North Korea on rare trip to two Koreas - ReutersSingapore foreign minister in North Korea on rare trip to two Koreas  Reuters North Korea: New report sheds light on chemical weapons - dw.comNorth Korea: New report sheds light on chemical weapons  dw.com ROK institute pushes to jump-start research on North Korea’s rare earth reserves - NK NewsROK institute pushes to jump-start research on North Korea’s rare earth reserves  NK News North Korea conducts test-fire of new missile launcher - Daily ExcelsiorNorth Korea conducts test-fire of new missile launcher  Daily Excelsior North Korea tests AI-guided missiles, artillery rockets designed for modern warfare - The Business StandardNorth Korea tests AI-guided missiles, artillery rockets designed for modern warfare  The Business Standard North Korea tests new modular missile launcher and ‘tactical cruise missiles’ - NK NewsNorth Korea tests new modular missile launcher and ‘tactical cruise missiles’  NK News North Korea - Relations, South, Tensions - BritannicaNorth Korea - Relations, South, Tensions  Britannica North Korea shoot-to-kill order targets defectors - DailyNKNorth Korea shoot-to-kill order targets defectors  DailyNK North Korea Tests HIMARS-Style Multiple Rocket Launcher System - ??????????North Korea Tests HIMARS-Style Multiple Rocket Launcher System  ?????????? North Korea not keen to engage with the US or South Korea, Singapore FM says - ReutersNorth Korea not keen to engage with the US or South Korea, Singapore FM says  Reuters North Korea - Nuclear, Juche, Reunification - BritannicaNorth Korea - Nuclear, Juche, Reunification  Britannica 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 North Korea’s AFC women’s title sparks curiosity about South Korea at home - DailyNKNorth Korea’s AFC women’s title sparks curiosity about South Korea at home  DailyNK North Korea Tests Its Own Version of U.S. Himars Missiles - WSJNorth Korea Tests Its Own Version of U.S. Himars Missiles  WSJ Exclusive: U.S. Intelligence Cuts Hinder South Korea's North Korea-Russia Tracking - ????Exclusive: U.S. Intelligence Cuts Hinder South Korea's North Korea-Russia Tracking  ???? North Korea revises constitution to drop references to unification of Korean Peninsula - NBC NewsNorth Korea revises constitution to drop references to unification of Korean Peninsula  NBC News How Seoul can transform inter-Korean ties by abandoning the name ‘North Korea’ - NK NewsHow Seoul can transform inter-Korean ties by abandoning the name ‘North Korea’  NK News North Korea Not Keen on Talks With US or South Korea: Singapore | Spotlight - FirstpostNorth Korea Not Keen on Talks With US or South Korea: Singapore | Spotlight  Firstpost North Korea Tests Juche-HIMARS, Likely Hermes Clone, What Two New Systems Reveal - Defense ExpressNorth Korea Tests Juche-HIMARS, Likely Hermes Clone, What Two New Systems Reveal  Defense Express 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 Korea's Diplomatic Standoff: A Focus on Military and Self-Reliance - DevdiscourseNorth Korea's Diplomatic Standoff: A Focus on Military and Self-Reliance  Devdiscourse North Korea launches ballistic missile and other weapons over the sea in latest show of force - AP NewsNorth Korea launches ballistic missile and other weapons over the sea in latest show of force  AP News Is Seoul Looking North Again? Is South Korea Quietly Reopening the Rare Earth Question? - Rare Earth ExchangesIs Seoul Looking North Again? Is South Korea Quietly Reopening the Rare Earth Question?  Rare Earth Exchanges North Korea grain prices fall at markets in May 2026 - DailyNKNorth Korea grain prices fall at markets in May 2026  DailyNK North Korea Tests “AI-Guided” Cruise Missiles With Alleged 100-KM Range - UNITED24 MediaNorth Korea Tests “AI-Guided” Cruise Missiles With Alleged 100-KM Range  UNITED24 Media Call of controversy? Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 4 imagines a revived Korean war - The GuardianCall of controversy? Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 4 imagines a revived Korean war  The Guardian North Korea expands rice-paddy fish farming drive, farm workers push back - DailyNKNorth Korea expands rice-paddy fish farming drive, farm workers push back  DailyNK South Korea signals willingness for talks with North Korea, says Pyongyang will 'eventually respond' - Anadolu AjansiSouth Korea signals willingness for talks with North Korea, says Pyongyang will 'eventually respond'  Anadolu Ajansi North Korea says it is not bound by any treaty on nuclear non-proliferation - Al JazeeraNorth Korea says it is not bound by any treaty on nuclear non-proliferation  Al Jazeera North Korea rejects Quad denuclearisation call, says nuclear weapons stay 'forever' - Moneycontrol.comNorth Korea rejects Quad denuclearisation call, says nuclear weapons stay 'forever'  Moneycontrol.com Rethinking North Korea: The Christian Roots Of A Political Cult - Religion UnpluggedRethinking North Korea: The Christian Roots Of A Political Cult  Religion Unplugged North Korea fires short-range ballistic missile and other weapons toward sea, South says, in latest weapons demo - CBS NewsNorth Korea fires short-range ballistic missile and other weapons toward sea, South says, in latest weapons demo  CBS News North Korea, Singapore ministers hold talks amid renewed ‘Singapore channel’ speculation - The Korea HeraldNorth Korea, Singapore ministers hold talks amid renewed ‘Singapore channel’ speculation  The Korea Herald North Korean women no longer want to marry police officers. Here’s why. - DailyNKNorth Korean women no longer want to marry police officers. Here’s why.  DailyNK Seoul lays out plans to build nuclear sub by mid-2030s to counter North Korea - NK NewsSeoul lays out plans to build nuclear sub by mid-2030s to counter North Korea  NK News Singapore, North Korea pledge deeper cooperation on global issues - NK NewsSingapore, North Korea pledge deeper cooperation on global issues  NK News Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 4 takes the fight to Korea - The NationalCall of Duty: Modern Warfare 4 takes the fight to Korea  The National North Korea fired short-range ballistic missile, Seoul says - USA TodayNorth Korea fired short-range ballistic missile, Seoul says  USA Today North Korea ramps up Chinese medical equipment imports amid healthcare modernization push - DailyNKNorth Korea ramps up Chinese medical equipment imports amid healthcare modernization push  DailyNK North Korea just stole $577mn from crypto with two attacks, here’s how - crypto.newsNorth Korea just stole $577mn from crypto with two attacks, here’s how  crypto.news North Korea says it tested new warheads, technology and navigation in latest launches - AP NewsNorth Korea says it tested new warheads, technology and navigation in latest launches  AP News North Korea’s Constitutional Amendments Signal a Policy of Assurance Toward South Korea - The Diplomat – Asia-PacificNorth Korea’s Constitutional Amendments Signal a Policy of Assurance Toward South Korea  The Diplomat – Asia-Pacific South Korea’s soft power influence on North Korea | Note de la FRS | Foundation for Strategic Research - Fondation pour la Recherche StratégiqueSouth Korea’s soft power influence on North Korea | Note de la FRS | Foundation for Strategic Research  Fondation pour la Recherche Stratégique North Korea says it will never rejoin nuclear non-proliferation treaty - Le Monde.frNorth Korea says it will never rejoin nuclear non-proliferation treaty  Le Monde.fr What do a teenager's clothes tell us about North Korea's future? - BBCWhat do a teenager's clothes tell us about North Korea's future?  BBC North Korean leader Kim Jong Un oversees AI cruise missile test - nhk.or.jpNorth Korean leader Kim Jong Un oversees AI cruise missile test  nhk.or.jp North Korea formally drops goal of reuniting with South - Financial TimesNorth Korea formally drops goal of reuniting with South  Financial Times North Korea touts AI-guided tactical weapons in latest missile tests overseen by Kim - The Korea HeraldNorth Korea touts AI-guided tactical weapons in latest missile tests overseen by Kim  The Korea Herald North Korea Rejects Quad’s Denuclearisation Call, Says It Will ‘Never’ Give Up Nukes - The CSR JournalNorth Korea Rejects Quad’s Denuclearisation Call, Says It Will ‘Never’ Give Up Nukes  The CSR Journal The gate of tears: Washington's move on 'African North Korea' against Iran - Türkiye TodayThe gate of tears: Washington's move on 'African North Korea' against Iran  Türkiye Today North Korea's women becoming a global force - The Korea TimesNorth Korea's women becoming a global force  The Korea Times North Korea launches several missiles - wng.orgNorth Korea launches several missiles  wng.org Why President Xi’s potential North Korea visit carries strategic weight for China and beyond - CNAWhy President Xi’s potential North Korea visit carries strategic weight for China and beyond  CNA North Korea tests AI-guided missiles for the first time - Sky NewsNorth Korea tests AI-guided missiles for the first time  Sky News National security adviser discusses security situation on Korean Peninsula with Singaporean FM - The Korea TimesNational security adviser discusses security situation on Korean Peninsula with Singaporean FM  The Korea Times North Korea Crisis | Global Conflict Tracker - Council on Foreign RelationsNorth Korea Crisis | Global Conflict Tracker  Council on Foreign Relations Joint statement on DPRK sanctions accountability - canada.caJoint statement on DPRK sanctions accountability  canada.ca Pyongyang’s northern turn is reshaping the Korean Peninsula - BrookingsPyongyang’s northern turn is reshaping the Korean Peninsula  Brookings North Korea not keen to engage with the US or South Korea, Singapore FM says - InternazionaleNorth Korea not keen to engage with the US or South Korea, Singapore FM says  Internazionale Singapore foreign minister visits North Korea, agrees to boost ties - Nikkei AsiaSingapore foreign minister visits North Korea, agrees to boost ties  Nikkei Asia Minister Kwon Oh-eul Uses 'People’s Republic' Term for North Korea - ????Minister Kwon Oh-eul Uses 'People’s Republic' Term for North Korea  ???? North Korea says it tested mix of updated missile systems - Japan Wire by Kyodo NewsNorth Korea says it tested mix of updated missile systems  Japan Wire by Kyodo News Executions in North Korea ramped up significantly during pandemic - report - BBCExecutions in North Korea ramped up significantly during pandemic - report  BBC North Korea opens museum commemorating troops killed fighting for Russia - Al JazeeraNorth Korea opens museum commemorating troops killed fighting for Russia  Al Jazeera Kim Jong Un Unveils AI-Powered “Juche-HIMARS”: North Korea’s New Modular Missile System Could Reshape Seoul Strike Dynamics and Indo-Pacific Deterrence - Defence Security AsiaKim Jong Un Unveils AI-Powered “Juche-HIMARS”: North Korea’s New Modular Missile System Could Reshape Seoul Strike Dynamics and Indo-Pacific Deterrence  Defence Security Asia Call of Duty puts North Korea invasion at centre of new game as makers defend ‘sensitive’ setting - The IndependentCall of Duty puts North Korea invasion at centre of new game as makers defend ‘sensitive’ setting  The Independent New bridge linking allies North Korea and Russia nearly complete - BBCNew bridge linking allies North Korea and Russia nearly complete  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