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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Government - Government - Korea-North North Korea International Documentation Project
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                              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

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Korea amid its omission in new U.S. security strategy - upi.comU.S. envoy reaffirms 'complete denuclearization' of N. Korea amid its omission in new U.S. security strategy  upi.com How South Korea can balance its US commitments with global engagement - Chatham HouseHow South Korea can balance its US commitments with global engagement  Chatham House North Korea says South Korea's overtures 'great miscalculation' - The HinduNorth Korea says South Korea's overtures 'great miscalculation'  The Hindu North Korea building three lavish mansions at site for visiting foreign leaders - NK NewsNorth Korea building three lavish mansions at site for visiting foreign leaders  NK News North Korean Hackers Target Developers with Nearly 200 Malicious NPM Packages in “Contagious Interview” Hacking Campaign - CPO MagazineNorth Korean Hackers Target Developers with Nearly 200 Malicious NPM Packages in “Contagious Interview” Hacking Campaign  CPO Magazine South Korea’s president asks Trump to be ‘peacemaker’ with North Korea - The HinduSouth Korea’s president asks Trump to be ‘peacemaker’ with North Korea  The Hindu Drills debate reopens NK policy rift inside Lee administration - The Korea HeraldDrills debate reopens NK policy rift inside Lee administration  The Korea Herald North Korean state-media slams US approval of South Korea’s drive to build nuclear-powered submarines - Anadolu AjansiNorth Korean state-media slams US approval of South Korea’s drive to build nuclear-powered submarines  Anadolu Ajansi North Korea’s Kim says he is open to talks if US drops denuclearisation demand - DD NewsNorth Korea’s Kim says he is open to talks if US drops denuclearisation demand  DD News North Korean soldier defects to South Korea across the heavily fortified border - The HinduNorth Korean soldier defects to South Korea across the heavily fortified border  The Hindu N. Korea says 50,000-unit housing project in Pyongyang reaches final stage - The Korea timesN. Korea says 50,000-unit housing project in Pyongyang reaches final stage  The Korea times South Korea calls for dialogue to secure return of detainees held by North Korea - NK NewsSouth Korea calls for dialogue to secure return of detainees held by North Korea  NK News Europe’s Stalled North Korea Policy - 38 NorthEurope’s Stalled North Korea Policy  38 North Why are North and South Korea divided? - BritannicaWhy are North and South Korea divided?  Britannica Is China changing tack and accepting North Korea as a nuclear-armed state? - South China Morning PostIs China changing tack and accepting North Korea as a nuclear-armed state?  South China Morning Post Maryland Man Sentenced for Helping North Korea Infiltrate US Tech Firms - DecryptMaryland Man Sentenced for Helping North Korea Infiltrate US Tech Firms  Decrypt N. Korea’s new rural facilities sit empty despite propaganda about ‘ideal socialist villages’ - DailyNKN. Korea’s new rural facilities sit empty despite propaganda about ‘ideal socialist villages’  DailyNK North Korea says South Korea fired warning shots at its soldiers; Seoul says troops crossed border - The HinduNorth Korea says South Korea fired warning shots at its soldiers; Seoul says troops crossed border  The Hindu North Korean hacker infected by malware, exposing ties to $1.4 billion Bybit heist - SC MediaNorth Korean hacker infected by malware, exposing ties to $1.4 billion Bybit heist  SC Media Maryland man sentenced to 15 months in prison for assisting North Korea in infiltrating U.S. tech companies - BitgetMaryland man sentenced to 15 months in prison for assisting North Korea in infiltrating U.S. tech companies  Bitget Curious story of the mystery drones South Korea sent to North Korean leader Kim Jong Un’s home — and what - The Economic TimesCurious story of the mystery drones South Korea sent to North Korean leader Kim Jong Un’s home — and what  The Economic Times North Korea's Kim says military ties with Russia will ‘advance non-stop’ - The HinduNorth Korea's Kim says military ties with Russia will ‘advance non-stop’  The Hindu Russia-North Korea talks likely focused on resources and energy, photos suggest - NK NewsRussia-North Korea talks likely focused on resources and energy, photos suggest  NK News Abducted Ukrainian children sent to North Korean camp, US Senate told - TVP WorldAbducted Ukrainian children sent to North Korean camp, US Senate told  TVP World Russia sent abducted Ukrainian children to North Korea, officials say - Euronews.comRussia sent abducted Ukrainian children to North Korea, officials say  Euronews.com How a question about forgotten prisoners in North Korea sparked a firestorm - NK NewsHow a question about forgotten prisoners in North Korea sparked a firestorm  NK News Russia Sent Abducted Ukrainian Children To North Korea - ForbesRussia Sent Abducted Ukrainian Children To North Korea  Forbes North Korea accuses US of ‘wicked’ hostility over cybercrime sanctions - Al JazeeraNorth Korea accuses US of ‘wicked’ hostility over cybercrime sanctions  Al Jazeera What are Ukrainian children doing in North Korea? - The Spectator WorldWhat are Ukrainian children doing in North Korea?  The Spectator World South Korea alarmed by omission of NK denuclearization in US, China defense papers - The Korea timesSouth Korea alarmed by omission of NK denuclearization in US, China defense papers  The Korea times Front company for North Korean military set to export aphrodisiacs to Russia - NK NewsFront company for North Korean military set to export aphrodisiacs to Russia  NK News North Korea’s capital described as modern ‘Pyonghattan’ - CNNNorth Korea’s capital described as modern ‘Pyonghattan’  CNN ‘Denuclearization’ eclipsed by US-China rivalry - The Korea Herald‘Denuclearization’ eclipsed by US-China rivalry  The Korea Herald Families of abductees in North Korea ‘devastated’ by Lee’s ignorance on issue - NK NewsFamilies of abductees in North Korea ‘devastated’ by Lee’s ignorance on issue  NK News N Korea threatens ‘offensive action’ as US aircraft carrier visits S Korea - Al JazeeraN Korea threatens ‘offensive action’ as US aircraft carrier visits S Korea  Al Jazeera Seoul praises legal change banning activist balloon launches toward North Korea - NK NewsSeoul praises legal change banning activist balloon launches toward North Korea  NK News North Korea’s absence from new US security strategy: A sign of dialogue or indifference? - Hankyoreh : English EditionNorth Korea’s absence from new US security strategy: A sign of dialogue or indifference?  Hankyoreh : English Edition North Korea accuses G7 of double standards over denuclearization call - Anadolu AjansiNorth Korea accuses G7 of double standards over denuclearization call  Anadolu Ajansi North Korea parade: Is Kim Jong Un stronger than ever? - Times of IndiaNorth Korea parade: Is Kim Jong Un stronger than ever?  Times of India North Korea's Kim inspects regional factories ahead of official opening - Korea JoongAng DailyNorth Korea's Kim inspects regional factories ahead of official opening  Korea JoongAng Daily U.S. and China Exclude North Korea Denuclearization from Security Strategy - ????U.S. and China Exclude North Korea Denuclearization from Security Strategy  ???? Scaling back U.S.-South Korea joint drills may be discussed, Seoul says - Yahoo News CanadaScaling back U.S.-South Korea joint drills may be discussed, Seoul says  Yahoo News Canada Graves at Ukraine war memorial suggest North Korea may up official death count - NK NewsGraves at Ukraine war memorial suggest North Korea may up official death count  NK News Maryland man sentenced for N. Korea IT worker scheme involving US government contracts - The Record from Recorded Future NewsMaryland man sentenced for N. Korea IT worker scheme involving US government contracts  The Record from Recorded Future News Kim Jong Un bans words like ‘hamburgers’, ‘ice-cream’ in North Korea. Here’s why - The Indian ExpressKim Jong Un bans words like ‘hamburgers’, ‘ice-cream’ in North Korea. Here’s why  The Indian Express South Korea's Lee praises Trump, hopes US can resume North Korea dialogue - ReutersSouth Korea's Lee praises Trump, hopes US can resume North Korea dialogue  Reuters Russia deepens reliance on North Korea and China for drone production and war support - Odessa JournalRussia deepens reliance on North Korea and China for drone production and war support  Odessa Journal North Korean military ramping up parade training ahead of 9th Party Congress - NK NewsNorth Korean military ramping up parade training ahead of 9th Party Congress  NK News Russia’s Kursk set to build memorial for North Korean troops who fought Ukraine - NK NewsRussia’s Kursk set to build memorial for North Korean troops who fought Ukraine  NK News The phone notes that reveal an alleged plan to bait Kim Jong Un with drones - CNNThe phone notes that reveal an alleged plan to bait Kim Jong Un with drones  CNN Main - Odessa JournalMain  Odessa Journal What we’ve learned about the alleged plan to provoke North Korea for martial law - NK NewsWhat we’ve learned about the alleged plan to provoke North Korea for martial law  NK News Is China changing tack and accepting North Korea as a nuclear-armed state? - YahooIs China changing tack and accepting North Korea as a nuclear-armed state?  Yahoo Lee says he wishes he could apologize to North Korea for Yoon’s drone incursion - NK NewsLee says he wishes he could apologize to North Korea for Yoon’s drone incursion  NK News South Korean president weighs apology to North Korea over allegations of leafleting and drone use - AP NewsSouth Korean president weighs apology to North Korea over allegations of leafleting and drone use  AP News India appoints ambassador to North Korea after four-year envoy absence - NK NewsIndia appoints ambassador to North Korea after four-year envoy absence  NK News News - NK NewsNews  NK News North Korea’s New Military Tech Surpasses South Korea - ????North Korea’s New Military Tech Surpasses South Korea  ???? South Korea, Japan, U.S. hold aerial drill in demonstration of strength against North Korea - The HinduSouth Korea, Japan, U.S. hold aerial drill in demonstration of strength against North Korea  The Hindu Ahn Hak-seop, the 95-year-old ex-combatant who wants to return to North Korea: ‘I must die there’ - EL PAÍS EnglishAhn Hak-seop, the 95-year-old ex-combatant who wants to return to North Korea: ‘I must die there’  EL PAÍS English North Korea Strengthens Its Strategic Assets – Analysis - Eurasia ReviewNorth Korea Strengthens Its Strategic Assets – Analysis  Eurasia Review How researchers duped North Korean IT workers into revealing their secrets - NK NewsHow researchers duped North Korean IT workers into revealing their secrets  NK News Seoul’s search for stability: political turmoil underscores need for a consistent North Korea policy - The Korea HeraldSeoul’s search for stability: political turmoil underscores need for a consistent North Korea policy  The Korea Herald North Korea diplomacy after the US strikes on Iran - East-West CenterNorth Korea diplomacy after the US strikes on Iran  East-West Center Will North Korea defend China in a Taiwan war? - Lowy InstituteWill North Korea defend China in a Taiwan war?  Lowy Institute Russian Long-Serving Envoy To North Korea Dies - Channels TelevisionRussian Long-Serving Envoy To North Korea Dies  Channels Television Russia sent abducted Ukrainian kids to North Korea, rights expert says - upi.comRussia sent abducted Ukrainian kids to North Korea, rights expert says  upi.com With the draw for the 2026 North Korea-China World Cup over, Japan, the first country in the world t.. - ????With the draw for the 2026 North Korea-China World Cup over, Japan, the first country in the world t..  ???? 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