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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But will it deliver real benefits at home, or risk isolationism and strained alliances abroad? - Wired-GovBurnham’s Makerfield Test will reshape UK foreign policy. But will it deliver real benefits at home, or risk isolationism and strained alliances abroad?  Wired-Gov U.S.-North Korea Relations: Stalled Diplomacy And Rising Tensions – Analysis - Eurasia ReviewU.S.-North Korea Relations: Stalled Diplomacy And Rising Tensions – Analysis  Eurasia Review Senior Chinese delegation visits North Korea for talks - Al JazeeraSenior Chinese delegation visits North Korea for talks  Al Jazeera U.S. removes sanctions on 84 targets in 'modernization' effort - Korea JoongAng DailyU.S. removes sanctions on 84 targets in 'modernization' effort  Korea JoongAng Daily Kim Jong-un puts daughter Ju-ae center stage at Korean War armistice parade - Korea JoongAng DailyKim Jong-un puts daughter Ju-ae center stage at Korean War armistice parade  Korea JoongAng Daily North Korea to face off against South in soccer rematch at Asian Games - NK NewsNorth Korea to face off against South in soccer rematch at Asian Games  NK News Russia wants 30,000 more North Korean troops for Ukraine war: Zelenskyy - The Japan TimesRussia wants 30,000 more North Korean troops for Ukraine war: Zelenskyy  The Japan Times Russia and North Korea may use the new bridge for military transport — The Guardian - UA.NEWSRussia and North Korea may use the new bridge for military transport — The Guardian  UA.NEWS South Korea tracks reports of 30,000 more North Korean troops for Russia - Türkiye TodaySouth Korea tracks reports of 30,000 more North Korean troops for Russia  Türkiye Today Opinion | America’s North Korea strategy needs a dose of reality - South China Morning PostOpinion | America’s North Korea strategy needs a dose of reality  South China Morning Post North installs screens around inter-Korean border building for apparent renovation work - Korea JoongAng DailyNorth installs screens around inter-Korean border building for apparent renovation work  Korea JoongAng Daily North Korea rejects ASEAN forum's denuclearisation call as 'foolish attempt' - TRT WorldNorth Korea rejects ASEAN forum's denuclearisation call as 'foolish attempt'  TRT World North Korea Commemorates Armistice with Korean War-Themed March - ????North Korea Commemorates Armistice with Korean War-Themed March  ???? US removes sanctions on 84 targets, including North Korean firm, in 'modernization' effort - The Korea HeraldUS removes sanctions on 84 targets, including North Korean firm, in 'modernization' effort  The Korea Herald North Korea rejects ASEAN denuclearization call as ‘foolish attempt’ - Türkiye TodayNorth Korea rejects ASEAN denuclearization call as ‘foolish attempt’  Türkiye Today How South Korea’s sole armistice delegate became a hero in North Korea - NK NewsHow South Korea’s sole armistice delegate became a hero in North Korea  NK News Top North Korea official blasts ASEAN for urging denuclearisation - The Korea HeraldTop North Korea official blasts ASEAN for urging denuclearisation  The Korea Herald Kim Jong Un's sister blasts ASEAN for urging North Korea denuclearisation - CNAKim Jong Un's sister blasts ASEAN for urging North Korea denuclearisation  CNA More Than Smartphones: How Digital Technology Is Changing North Korea - 38 NorthMore Than Smartphones: How Digital Technology Is Changing North Korea  38 North North Korea Rejects ASEAN Regional Forum's Denuclearization Call as 'Foolish Attempt' - ?????North Korea Rejects ASEAN Regional Forum's Denuclearization Call as 'Foolish Attempt'  ????? 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'It was like being in North Korea': Wangchuk alleges harassment at Safdarjung before shift to Medanta - The New Indian Express'It was like being in North Korea': Wangchuk alleges harassment at Safdarjung before shift to Medanta  The New Indian Express Russia preparing to receive additional North Korean troops, Zelensky says - The Kyiv IndependentRussia preparing to receive additional North Korean troops, Zelensky says  The Kyiv Independent North Korea says nuclear capability will be updated steadily, KCNA says - TradingViewNorth Korea says nuclear capability will be updated steadily, KCNA says  TradingView Russia seeks 30k more North Korean troops in Ukraine war, Zelensky warns - NK NewsRussia seeks 30k more North Korean troops in Ukraine war, Zelensky warns  NK News North Korea arrests hackers accused of laundering stolen funds from country's bank via crypto - CoinDeskNorth Korea arrests hackers accused of laundering stolen funds from country's bank via crypto  CoinDesk Russia wants 30,000 more troops from North Korea, Zelenskyy says - politico.euRussia wants 30,000 more troops from North Korea, Zelenskyy says  politico.eu Korean Armistice endures as collective defense achievement, regional security foundation - Indo-Pacific Defense FORUMKorean Armistice endures as collective defense achievement, regional security foundation  Indo-Pacific Defense FORUM Russia and North Korea finalize first cross-border road bridge to boost military supply lines - The New Voice of UkraineRussia and North Korea finalize first cross-border road bridge to boost military supply lines  The New Voice of Ukraine Russia may accept 20,000 more North Korean troops to deploy in Ukraine - nhk.or.jpRussia may accept 20,000 more North Korean troops to deploy in Ukraine  nhk.or.jp Why North Korea will keep backing Russia in the Ukraine war - The Straits TimesWhy North Korea will keep backing Russia in the Ukraine war  The Straits Times ‘Sealed in blood’: Where does the China-North Korea alliance stand today? - Al Jazeera‘Sealed in blood’: Where does the China-North Korea alliance stand today?  Al Jazeera North Korea's Firm Nuclear Stance Challenges Global Diplomacy - DevdiscourseNorth Korea's Firm Nuclear Stance Challenges Global Diplomacy  Devdiscourse Dealing with North Korea cannot wait for a distracted Washington - East Asia ForumDealing with North Korea cannot wait for a distracted Washington  East Asia Forum What North Korea’s ‘rare rebuke’ means for its Asean ties - South China Morning PostWhat North Korea’s ‘rare rebuke’ means for its Asean ties  South China Morning Post The 5,000 year old ideology behind unification - upi.comThe 5,000 year old ideology behind unification  upi.com Litmus test for justice - upi.comLitmus test for justice  upi.com North and South Korea mark 73rd anniversary of Korean War armistice - Türkiye TodayNorth and South Korea mark 73rd anniversary of Korean War armistice  Türkiye Today New Investigation Exposes Russia-North Korea Road Bridge as Covert Military Corridor - UNITED24 MediaNew Investigation Exposes Russia-North Korea Road Bridge as Covert Military Corridor  UNITED24 Media US walks out of UN Security Council over French envoy’s ‘North Korea’ comparison - Malay MailUS walks out of UN Security Council over French envoy’s ‘North Korea’ comparison  Malay Mail North Korea’s Kim hails ‘unshakeable will’ to develop ties with China’s Xi - Al JazeeraNorth Korea’s Kim hails ‘unshakeable will’ to develop ties with China’s Xi  Al Jazeera South Korea does not see any new North Korean troops in Russia, but is monitoring the - UA.NEWSSouth Korea does not see any new North Korean troops in Russia, but is monitoring the  UA.NEWS Zelenskyy steps up diplomatic offensive against Iran and North Korea - EUaliveZelenskyy steps up diplomatic offensive against Iran and North Korea  EUalive North Korea Planning Largest Ever Foreign Deployment with 30,000 Troops Heading to Russia - Reports - Military Watch MagazineNorth Korea Planning Largest Ever Foreign Deployment with 30,000 Troops Heading to Russia - Reports  Military Watch Magazine N. Korea's Kim visits war cemeteries on Korean War armistice anniversary - The Korea TimesN. Korea's Kim visits war cemeteries on Korean War armistice anniversary  The Korea Times Zelenskyy Raises Alarm Over Iran and North Korea’s Role in War - Caspian PostZelenskyy Raises Alarm Over Iran and North Korea’s Role in War  Caspian Post North Korea Is Sending More Troops to Russia. Here’s What That Might Mean. - The National InterestNorth Korea Is Sending More Troops to Russia. Here’s What That Might Mean.  The National Interest North Korea to deploy 30K troops to Russia, says Ukrainian President Zelenskyy - Washington TimesNorth Korea to deploy 30K troops to Russia, says Ukrainian President Zelenskyy  Washington Times N. Korean leader's sister rebuffs ARF denuclearization call, vows to update nuclear arsenal 'steadily' - The Korea TimesN. Korean leader's sister rebuffs ARF denuclearization call, vows to update nuclear arsenal 'steadily'  The Korea Times India replaces North Korea envoy just over a year after filling vacancy - NK NewsIndia replaces North Korea envoy just over a year after filling vacancy  NK News Lee vows to create diplomatic conditions to resume inter-Korean, NK-US dialogue - The Korea TimesLee vows to create diplomatic conditions to resume inter-Korean, NK-US dialogue  The Korea Times North Korea’s coffee-less coffee and chocolates without cocoa - Inquirer.netNorth Korea’s coffee-less coffee and chocolates without cocoa  Inquirer.net South Korea asks the North to help search for missing sailor - The Japan TimesSouth Korea asks the North to help search for missing sailor  The Japan Times North Korea Escalates Ballistic Missile Deliveries to Russia as Productive Capacity Expands Rapidly - Military Watch MagazineNorth Korea Escalates Ballistic Missile Deliveries to Russia as Productive Capacity Expands Rapidly  Military Watch Magazine Commemorative plaque honoring N. Korean troops fighting Ukraine unveiled in Russia - The Korea TimesCommemorative plaque honoring N. Korean troops fighting Ukraine unveiled in Russia  The Korea Times North Korea and China: What drives their “unbreakable friendship”? - ??????North Korea and China: What drives their “unbreakable friendship”?  ?????? From Burden to Asset: China's Recalibration of North Korea - orfonline.orgFrom Burden to Asset: China's Recalibration of North Korea  orfonline.org Kim Jong-un Honors Mao Zedong's Son Amid Ties With Beijing - ????Kim Jong-un Honors Mao Zedong's Son Amid Ties With Beijing  ???? YouTuber Referred to Prosecutors for False Oil-to-North-Korea Claims - ????YouTuber Referred to Prosecutors for False Oil-to-North-Korea Claims  ???? 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