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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Opinion | The North Korea Lesson for Iran - WSJOpinion | The North Korea Lesson for Iran  WSJ Video | North Korea Operatives Hack US Software - NDTVVideo | North Korea Operatives Hack US Software  NDTV North Korea Reportedly Razes Towns Near Key Space Test Site - MintNorth Korea Reportedly Razes Towns Near Key Space Test Site  Mint Elliptic flags $285 million Drift exploit as a likely North Korea-linked operation - CoinDeskElliptic flags $285 million Drift exploit as a likely North Korea-linked operation  CoinDesk A New Rocket Motor Further Muddles North Korea’s Solid-Propellant ICBM Outlook - 38 NorthA New Rocket Motor Further Muddles North Korea’s Solid-Propellant ICBM Outlook  38 North 'We Are Ready to Speak': Drift Beckons North Korea-Linked Hackers Following $285M Exploit - Decrypt'We Are Ready to Speak': Drift Beckons North Korea-Linked Hackers Following $285M Exploit  Decrypt Satellite imagery shows N. Korea appears to be speeding up construction of its 3rd 5,000-ton destroyer - The Korea TimesSatellite imagery shows N. Korea appears to be speeding up construction of its 3rd 5,000-ton destroyer  The Korea Times Puppies, Kitten, Power: North Korea's Kim Jong Un Steals Spotlight At Pet Shop - NDTVPuppies, Kitten, Power: North Korea's Kim Jong Un Steals Spotlight At Pet Shop  NDTV N Korea ‘respects’ Iran’s selection of Mojtaba Khamenei as supreme leader - Al JazeeraN Korea ‘respects’ Iran’s selection of Mojtaba Khamenei as supreme leader  Al Jazeera Trump’s Iran war will reinforce North Korea’s view that nuclear weapons are the only path to security - The GuardianTrump’s Iran war will reinforce North Korea’s view that nuclear weapons are the only path to security  The Guardian North Korea Seeks Nuclear Recognition for U.S. Talks - Arms Control AssociationNorth Korea Seeks Nuclear Recognition for U.S. Talks  Arms Control Association North Korea not ready for a female successor - East Asia ForumNorth Korea not ready for a female successor  East Asia Forum North Korea: Iran, Nuclear Issues, and the Succession of Power. An Interview with Rachel Minyoung Lee - Geopolitica.infoNorth Korea: Iran, Nuclear Issues, and the Succession of Power. An Interview with Rachel Minyoung Lee  Geopolitica.info 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 A trip on the overnight express from Beijing to North Korea - EL PAÍS EnglishA trip on the overnight express from Beijing to North Korea  EL PAÍS English North Korea Ramps Up Warship Building As New Destroyers Near Readiness - Bharat ShaktiNorth Korea Ramps Up Warship Building As New Destroyers Near Readiness  Bharat Shakti '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 Korean Hackers Attack Drift Protocol In USD 285 Million Heist | TRM Blog - TRM LabsNorth Korean Hackers Attack Drift Protocol In USD 285 Million Heist | TRM Blog  TRM Labs How the Drift hack unfolded… “Contact with North Korea-linked individuals at conferences” - bloomingbitHow the Drift hack unfolded… “Contact with North Korea-linked individuals at conferences”  bloomingbit 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 Google links Axios npm supply chain attack to North Korea-linked APT UNC1069 - Security AffairsGoogle links Axios npm supply chain attack to North Korea-linked APT UNC1069  Security Affairs North Korea slams UN resolution on its human rights abuses as a ‘provocation’ - NK NewsNorth Korea slams UN resolution on its human rights abuses as a ‘provocation’  NK News 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 Drones and Operational Shift: North Korea’s Adaptation to a Changing Warfare Environment - 38 NorthDrones and Operational Shift: North Korea’s Adaptation to a Changing Warfare Environment  38 North Villages Bordering Sohae Satellite Launching Station Razed - 38 NorthVillages Bordering Sohae Satellite Launching Station Razed  38 North North Korea gains critical intel by aiding Russia in Ukraine - DW.comNorth Korea gains critical intel by aiding Russia in Ukraine  DW.com US Firms At Risk As North Korea-Linked Hackers Target Axios Software; Crypto Theft Feared - NDTV ProfitUS Firms At Risk As North Korea-Linked Hackers Target Axios Software; Crypto Theft Feared  NDTV Profit North Korea’s Crypto Hacking Spree Raises Global Alarm Over Billions in Digital Theft - The420.inNorth Korea’s Crypto Hacking Spree Raises Global Alarm Over Billions in Digital Theft  The420.in Breaking Down the Belarus-North Korea Summit - The Diplomat – Asia-Pacific Current Affairs MagazineBreaking Down the Belarus-North Korea Summit  The Diplomat – Asia-Pacific Current Affairs Magazine North Korea shifts education costs onto the public with new funding law - DailyNKNorth Korea shifts education costs onto the public with new funding law  DailyNK North Korea condemns UN human rights resolution on Pyongyang: KCNA - thehawk.inNorth Korea condemns UN human rights resolution on Pyongyang: KCNA  thehawk.in North Korea Suspected In Open Source Axios Supply Chain Breach - Open Source For YouNorth Korea Suspected In Open Source Axios Supply Chain Breach  Open Source For You N. Korea's Kim visits museum of Combat Feats at Overseas Military Operations - The Korea TimesN. Korea's Kim visits museum of Combat Feats at Overseas Military Operations  The Korea Times Satellite imagery shows North Korea appears to be speeding up construction of its 3rd 5,000-tonne destroyer - thehawk.inSatellite imagery shows North Korea appears to be speeding up construction of its 3rd 5,000-tonne destroyer  thehawk.in 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 I knew about North Korean hackers—they still tricked me and got into my computer - FortuneI knew about North Korean hackers—they still tricked me and got into my computer  Fortune ‘An Operational Success and a Huge Strategic Failure’ - The New York Times‘An Operational Success and a Huge Strategic Failure’  The New York Times North Korea threatens criminal punishment for diverting factory goods to informal markets - DailyNKNorth Korea threatens criminal punishment for diverting factory goods to informal markets  DailyNK Axios supply chain attack attributed to North Korea, according to Google - TechInformedAxios supply chain attack attributed to North Korea, according to Google  TechInformed North Korea fires missiles into the sea as US and South Korea conduct military drills - The GuardianNorth Korea fires missiles into the sea as US and South Korea conduct military drills  The Guardian ROK nonprofit says it seeks to hold an electric vehicle expo in North Korea - NK NewsROK nonprofit says it seeks to hold an electric vehicle expo in North Korea  NK News 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 North Korea Nuclear Timeline Fast Facts - cnn.comNorth Korea Nuclear Timeline Fast Facts  cnn.com North Korea expands its nuclear arsenal after witnessing Iran’s vulnerability - CBCNorth Korea expands its nuclear arsenal after witnessing Iran’s vulnerability  CBC North Korea hackers suspected of attack on widely used software tool - The Japan TimesNorth Korea hackers suspected of attack on widely used software tool  The Japan Times Chinese electrosurgical device spotted at new North Korean hospital - NK NewsChinese electrosurgical device spotted at new North Korean hospital  NK News Longtime North Korean representative to Olympics dies at 87 - NK NewsLongtime North Korean representative to Olympics dies at 87  NK News In North Korea, the .07 per cent opposition - The Indian ExpressIn North Korea, the .07 per cent opposition  The Indian Express Drift crypto platform confirms $280 million stolen in hack as researchers point finger at North Korea - The Record from Recorded Future NewsDrift crypto platform confirms $280 million stolen in hack as researchers point finger at North Korea  The Record from Recorded Future News Kim Jong Un reappointed as president of North Korea - Al JazeeraKim Jong Un reappointed as president of North Korea  Al Jazeera Examining European Engagement With North Korea - 38 NorthExamining European Engagement With North Korea  38 North North Korean hackers compromise major software used by thousands of companies - NK NewsNorth Korean hackers compromise major software used by thousands of companies  NK News North Korea's ambassador discusses recent party congress results with Chinese Communist Party officials in Beijing - Korea JoongAng DailyNorth Korea's ambassador discusses recent party congress results with Chinese Communist Party officials in Beijing  Korea JoongAng Daily N. Korea discusses implementation of parliamentary decisions at Cabinet committee meeting - The Korea TimesN. Korea discusses implementation of parliamentary decisions at Cabinet committee meeting  The Korea Times North Korea discusses implementation of parliamentary decisions at Cabinet committee meeting - Korea JoongAng DailyNorth Korea discusses implementation of parliamentary decisions at Cabinet committee meeting  Korea JoongAng Daily US State Department offers big rewards for intel on North Korea’s shadow fleet - Tradewinds NewsUS State Department offers big rewards for intel on North Korea’s shadow fleet  Tradewinds News Construction to upgrade North Korea’s space launch complex enters new stage - NK NewsConstruction to upgrade North Korea’s space launch complex enters new stage  NK News Mojtaba Khamenei: North Korea voices support for Iran's new supreme leader amid West Asia tensions - The HinduMojtaba Khamenei: North Korea voices support for Iran's new supreme leader amid West Asia tensions  The Hindu How North Korea Armed Iran’s Missile Forces Over Two Decades - Vision TimesHow North Korea Armed Iran’s Missile Forces Over Two Decades  Vision Times North Korea triples border enforcement as Kim Jong Un ideology campaign intensifies - DailyNKNorth Korea triples border enforcement as Kim Jong Un ideology campaign intensifies  DailyNK How North Korean operatives get hired, and how HR can stop them - HR ExecutiveHow North Korean operatives get hired, and how HR can stop them  HR Executive The Evangelical Roots of North Korea’s Kim Family - Christianity TodayThe Evangelical Roots of North Korea’s Kim Family  Christianity Today North Korea in March 2026: A month in review and what’s ahead - NK NewsNorth Korea in March 2026: A month in review and what’s ahead  NK News North Korea’s Kim Jong-un says nuclear-armed status ‘irreversible’ - France 24North Korea’s Kim Jong-un says nuclear-armed status ‘irreversible’  France 24 Addressing the Tactical Nukes Challenge in North Korea’s ‘Assumed Battles’ Scenario - Stimson CenterAddressing the Tactical Nukes Challenge in North Korea’s ‘Assumed Battles’ Scenario  Stimson Center North Korea behind social engineering attack on Axios project - techzine.euNorth Korea behind social engineering attack on Axios project  techzine.eu Google Attributes Axios npm Supply Chain Attack to North Korean Group UNC1069 - The Hacker NewsGoogle Attributes Axios npm Supply Chain Attack to North Korean Group UNC1069  The Hacker News North Korea to bury soldiers from Ukraine war at new cemetery in mid-April - NK NewsNorth Korea to bury soldiers from Ukraine war at new cemetery in mid-April  NK News North Korea condemns UN human rights resolution on Pyongyang: KCNA - Korea JoongAng DailyNorth Korea condemns UN human rights resolution on Pyongyang: KCNA  Korea JoongAng Daily North Korean hackers bug software used by thousands of US companies in potential crypto heist attempt - cnn.comNorth Korean hackers bug software used by thousands of US companies in potential crypto heist attempt  cnn.com Kim Jong Un says North Korea’s nuclear status is irreversible, threatens South - ReutersKim Jong Un says North Korea’s nuclear status is irreversible, threatens South  Reuters North Korea denounces ‘muscle-flexing’ US-South Korean military exercises - Al JazeeraNorth Korea denounces ‘muscle-flexing’ US-South Korean military exercises  Al Jazeera Assessing North Korea’s AI ambitions - The International Institute for Strategic StudiesAssessing North Korea’s AI ambitions  The International Institute for Strategic Studies N. Korea's Kim inspects service facilities set to open at new housing area in Pyongyang - The Korea TimesN. Korea's Kim inspects service facilities set to open at new housing area in Pyongyang  The Korea Times Russian businessman appears to play key role in North Korean labor schemes - NK NewsRussian businessman appears to play key role in North Korean labor schemes  NK News Will North Korea exploit the fog of the Iran war to strike South Korea? - The Business StandardWill North Korea exploit the fog of the Iran war to strike South Korea?  The Business Standard North Korea-linked hackers suspected in Axios open-source hijack, Google analysts say - Nextgov/FCWNorth Korea-linked hackers suspected in Axios open-source hijack, Google analysts say  Nextgov/FCW North Korea's Kim visits museum of Combat Feats at Overseas Military Operations - Korea JoongAng DailyNorth Korea's Kim visits museum of Combat Feats at Overseas Military Operations  Korea JoongAng Daily Trump slams Seoul over lack of support on Hormuz, citing US troops in Korea - NK NewsTrump slams Seoul over lack of support on Hormuz, citing US troops in Korea  NK News North Korea courts Chinese private investors for Pyongyang commercial complex - DailyNKNorth Korea courts Chinese private investors for Pyongyang commercial complex  DailyNK Kim Yo Jong Condemns South Korea-US Joint Military Exercises - The Diplomat – Asia-Pacific Current Affairs MagazineKim Yo Jong Condemns South Korea-US Joint Military Exercises  The Diplomat – Asia-Pacific Current Affairs Magazine S. Korea to move up deployment of Iron Dome-like interceptor against N. Korean threats to 2029 - The Korea TimesS. Korea to move up deployment of Iron Dome-like interceptor against N. Korean threats to 2029  The Korea Times North Korea fires ballistic missiles toward sea amid US-South Korea military drills - Le Monde.frNorth Korea fires ballistic missiles toward sea amid US-South Korea military drills  Le Monde.fr North Korea–linked hackers drain $285M from Drift in sophisticated attack - Security AffairsNorth Korea–linked hackers drain $285M from Drift in sophisticated attack  Security Affairs Head of Chinese economic group visiting North Korea to promote trade - NK NewsHead of Chinese economic group visiting North Korea to promote trade  NK News Built by Pyongyang: The North Korean company behind Africa’s most iconic monuments - DailyNKBuilt by Pyongyang: The North Korean company behind Africa’s most iconic monuments  DailyNK Satellite imagery reveals rapid progress on North Korea’s third 5,000-tonne destroyer - orissapost.comSatellite imagery reveals rapid progress on North Korea’s third 5,000-tonne destroyer  orissapost.com North Korea backs Iran's supreme leader Mojtaba Khamenei, slams US-Israel for 'destroying regional peace' - The Times of IndiaNorth Korea backs Iran's supreme leader Mojtaba Khamenei, slams US-Israel for 'destroying regional peace'  The Times of India Google links malware compromising Axios software to North Korea - Cybersecurity InsidersGoogle links malware compromising Axios software to North Korea  Cybersecurity Insiders Iran Risks Becoming 'Middle East's North Korea' as Military State Concerns Grow - ????Iran Risks Becoming 'Middle East's North Korea' as Military State Concerns Grow  ???? North Korea-linked hack hits largely invisible software that powers online services - ReutersNorth Korea-linked hack hits largely invisible software that powers online services  Reuters North Korea conducts engine test for missile capable of targeting U.S. mainland - NBC NewsNorth Korea conducts engine test for missile capable of targeting U.S. mainland  NBC News Kim Jong Un wins 99.9% in North Korea elections - cnn.comKim Jong Un wins 99.9% in North Korea elections  cnn.com Lukashenko’s North Korea-U.S. mediation could backfire on South Korea - Korea JoongAng DailyLukashenko’s North Korea-U.S. mediation could backfire on South Korea  Korea JoongAng Daily N. Korea denounces U.N. rights resolution as 'political provocation' - upi.comN. Korea denounces U.N. rights resolution as 'political provocation'  upi.com Russia issued over 36K visas to North Koreans in 2025, almost all for education - NK NewsRussia issued over 36K visas to North Koreans in 2025, almost all for education  NK News Code red: North Korean hackers behind compromised Axios npm package - Cyber DailyCode red: North Korean hackers behind compromised Axios npm package  Cyber Daily North Korea’s Rights Crisis, Not Just Missiles, Needs Global Attention - hrw.orgNorth Korea’s Rights Crisis, Not Just Missiles, Needs Global Attention  hrw.org Satellite images show NK building third destroyer at Nampo Shipyard - The Korea TimesSatellite images show NK building third destroyer at Nampo Shipyard  The Korea Times GTIG: How Did North Korean Hackers Compromise Axios? - Cyber MagazineGTIG: How Did North Korean Hackers Compromise Axios?  Cyber Magazine