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

New bridge linking allies North Korea and Russia nearly complete - BBCNew bridge linking allies North Korea and Russia nearly complete  BBC North Korea revises constitution, drops references to reunification with South Korea - The Times of India North Korea revises constitution, drops references to reunification with South Korea  The Times of India North Korea drops reunification goal from constitution  DW.com North Korea formally drops goal of reuniting with South  Financial Times 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’s Strongwoman-in-Waiting - Foreign PolicyNorth Korea’s Strongwoman-in-Waiting  Foreign Policy North Korea showcases in-house smartphone brand amid rising tech ambitions - FirstpostNorth Korea showcases in-house smartphone brand amid rising tech ambitions  Firstpost 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 North Korea terror victims escalate fight to seize $71 million from Aave hack - CoinDeskNorth Korea terror victims escalate fight to seize $71 million from Aave hack  CoinDesk North Korean side to make rare trip to South Korea - BBCNorth Korean side to make rare trip to South Korea  BBC North Korean Women’s Football Team to Play in South Korea in Rare Sports Exchange - Daily PioneerNorth Korean Women’s Football Team to Play in South Korea in Rare Sports Exchange  Daily Pioneer North Korean women’s club to play rare football match in the South - Al JazeeraNorth Korean women’s club to play rare football match in the South  Al Jazeera The Imperfect Lessons of North Korea’s Nukes - Bloomberg.comThe Imperfect Lessons of North Korea’s Nukes  Bloomberg.com Kim Jong Un Was Right – and Everyone Else Is Taking Notes - The Diplomat – Asia-PacificKim Jong Un Was Right – and Everyone Else Is Taking Notes  The Diplomat – Asia-Pacific North Korea's amended constitution redefines borders and rejects reunification - ConstitutionNetNorth Korea's amended constitution redefines borders and rejects reunification  ConstitutionNet 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’s not bound to any treaty on non-proliferation of nuclear weapons - Anadolu AjansiNorth Korea says it’s not bound to any treaty on non-proliferation of nuclear weapons  Anadolu Ajansi North Korea says not bound by nuclear non-proliferation treaty - TRT WorldNorth Korea says not bound by nuclear non-proliferation treaty  TRT World North Korea rejects NPT, says it is not bound by nuclear treaty - Moneycontrol.comNorth Korea rejects NPT, says it is not bound by nuclear treaty  Moneycontrol.com North Korea - Nuclear, Juche, Reunification - BritannicaNorth Korea - Nuclear, Juche, Reunification  Britannica 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 ‘Groundless’ claims: North Korea says nuclear status is not up for debate - South China Morning Post‘Groundless’ claims: North Korea says nuclear status is not up for debate  South China Morning Post Kim Jong Un no longer interested in unification, North Korea amends constitution to keep South separate - FirstpostKim Jong Un no longer interested in unification, North Korea amends constitution to keep South separate  Firstpost North Korea drops mention to unification with South from constitution - Euronews.comNorth Korea drops mention to unification with South from constitution  Euronews.com North Korea not bound by NPT under any circumstances: UN envoy - thehawk.inNorth Korea not bound by NPT under any circumstances: UN envoy  thehawk.in North Korea's Defiant Stance on Nuclear Non-Proliferation - DevdiscourseNorth Korea's Defiant Stance on Nuclear Non-Proliferation  Devdiscourse North Korea ramps up executions over foreign media, says NGO - DW.comNorth Korea ramps up executions over foreign media, says NGO  DW.com FirstFT: North Korea abandons goal of reuniting with South - Financial TimesFirstFT: North Korea abandons goal of reuniting with South  Financial Times North Korea - Politics, Economy, Society - BritannicaNorth Korea - Politics, Economy, Society  Britannica 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 Korea drops reunification from constitution to formalise ‘two-state’ ties - South China Morning PostNorth Korea drops reunification from constitution to formalise ‘two-state’ ties  South China Morning Post North Korea says it is not bound by nuclear non-proliferation treaty - YahooNorth Korea says it is not bound by nuclear non-proliferation treaty  Yahoo North Korea Prisoners to Receive Human Rights Award - International Christian ConcernNorth Korea Prisoners to Receive Human Rights Award  International Christian Concern North Korea Poised to Make Significant Announcement - DevdiscourseNorth Korea Poised to Make Significant Announcement  Devdiscourse North Korea’s amended constitution redefines borders, but remains vague: source - NK NewsNorth Korea’s amended constitution redefines borders, but remains vague: source  NK News N Korea drops unification mentions from constitution - Taipei TimesN Korea drops unification mentions from constitution  Taipei Times North Korea’s revised constitution reflects ‘two hostile states’ doctrine - The Korea HeraldNorth Korea’s revised constitution reflects ‘two hostile states’ doctrine  The Korea Herald S. Korea reaffirms North Korea denuclearization goal at U.N. meeting - upi.comS. Korea reaffirms North Korea denuclearization goal at U.N. meeting  upi.com North Korean women’s football club headed to Seoul in rare trip across the border - The GuardianNorth Korean women’s football club headed to Seoul in rare trip across the border  The Guardian North Korea amends constitution to drop reunification and declare separate state status - Modern DiplomacyNorth Korea amends constitution to drop reunification and declare separate state status  Modern Diplomacy 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 North Korea scraps references to unification, limits to Kim's powers in amended constitution - Korea JoongAng DailyNorth Korea scraps references to unification, limits to Kim's powers in amended constitution  Korea JoongAng Daily Pyongyang’s northern turn is reshaping the Korean Peninsula - BrookingsPyongyang’s northern turn is reshaping the Korean Peninsula  Brookings North Korea says not bound by nuclear non-proliferation treaty - CTV NewsNorth Korea says not bound by nuclear non-proliferation treaty  CTV News North Korea not bound by NPT under any circumstances: UN envoy - Korea JoongAng DailyNorth Korea not bound by NPT under any circumstances: UN envoy  Korea JoongAng Daily Can Sports Diplomacy Open a Door on the Korean Peninsula? - CSIS | Center for Strategic and International StudiesCan Sports Diplomacy Open a Door on the Korean Peninsula?  CSIS | Center for Strategic and International Studies North Korea Revises Constitution to Elevate Kim Jong Un - ????North Korea Revises Constitution to Elevate Kim Jong Un  ???? North Korea purges officials for poor economic performance after Ninth Party Congress - DailyNKNorth Korea purges officials for poor economic performance after Ninth Party Congress  DailyNK A new smartphone shows North Korea's growing tech ambitions - NewsBytesA new smartphone shows North Korea's growing tech ambitions  NewsBytes What happened to denuclearizing North Korea? - NK NewsWhat happened to denuclearizing North Korea?  NK News North Korea's Constitution Grants Kim Nuclear Authority - ????North Korea's Constitution Grants Kim Nuclear Authority  ???? What Kim Ju Ae’s style says about North Korea - AzerNewsWhat Kim Ju Ae’s style says about North Korea  AzerNews N. Korea's revised constitution defines territory, drops reunification references - The Korea TimesN. Korea's revised constitution defines territory, drops reunification references  The Korea Times Ukraine unveils new regulation granting student permits for North Koreans - NK NewsUkraine unveils new regulation granting student permits for North Koreans  NK News When Pyongyang comes to Delhi: North Korea at the 15th Delhi International Film Festival - FirstpostWhen Pyongyang comes to Delhi: North Korea at the 15th Delhi International Film Festival  Firstpost North Korea says it's not bound by nuclear treaty - thesenior.com.auNorth Korea says it's not bound by nuclear treaty  thesenior.com.au Korea divide softens as North, South clash in rare Women’s ACL tie | Daily Sabah - Daily SabahKorea divide softens as North, South clash in rare Women’s ACL tie | Daily Sabah  Daily Sabah Westerners enter North Korea for spring trade fair for the first time in 7 years - NK NewsWesterners enter North Korea for spring trade fair for the first time in 7 years  NK News North Korea warns of retaliation over US ‘slander’ of DPRK cyber threats - NK NewsNorth Korea warns of retaliation over US ‘slander’ of DPRK cyber threats  NK News North Korea Redefines Borders: A Constitutional Shift - DevdiscourseNorth Korea Redefines Borders: A Constitutional Shift  Devdiscourse North Korea’s own-brand phone is sleek, colourful – and possibly watching you - South China Morning PostNorth Korea’s own-brand phone is sleek, colourful – and possibly watching you  South China Morning Post North Korea launches ballistic missiles towards sea off its east coast - Al JazeeraNorth Korea launches ballistic missiles towards sea off its east coast  Al Jazeera South Korea to seek peace despite North’s revised Constitution - The Straits TimesSouth Korea to seek peace despite North’s revised Constitution  The Straits Times North Korea revises constitution to drop reunification goal - upi.comNorth Korea revises constitution to drop reunification goal  upi.com Korean Peninsula Update, May 5, 2026 - American Enterprise Institute - AEIKorean Peninsula Update, May 5, 2026  American Enterprise Institute - AEI South Korea seeks peace despite North’s revised constitution - Free Malaysia TodaySouth Korea seeks peace despite North’s revised constitution  Free Malaysia Today DeFi lender Aave asks court to block $71 million crypto seizure tied to North Korea claims - CoinDeskDeFi lender Aave asks court to block $71 million crypto seizure tied to North Korea claims  CoinDesk North Korean women's soccer club to make rare visit to South Korea for match - ReutersNorth Korean women's soccer club to make rare visit to South Korea for match  Reuters Why a 5-year defence pact between North Korea and Russia could make China uneasy - South China Morning PostWhy a 5-year defence pact between North Korea and Russia could make China uneasy  South China Morning Post North Korea women's soccer club to make rare South visit - DW.comNorth Korea women's soccer club to make rare South visit  DW.com North Korea revises constitution to drop references to unification with South - The IndependentNorth Korea revises constitution to drop references to unification with South  The Independent North Korea Drops References to Unification from Constitution - CambodianessNorth Korea Drops References to Unification from Constitution  Cambodianess N. Korean women's football club to play tournament in South May 20 - The Korea TimesN. Korean women's football club to play tournament in South May 20  The Korea Times China’s envoy to North Korea pledges more taekwondo exchanges - NK NewsChina’s envoy to North Korea pledges more taekwondo exchanges  NK News Pyongyang calling: North Korea shows off own-brand phones - The Japan TimesPyongyang calling: North Korea shows off own-brand phones  The Japan Times North Korea confirmed to have revised Constitution: Yonhap - ????North Korea confirmed to have revised Constitution: Yonhap  ???? | Kyabram Free Press - Kyabram Free Press| Kyabram Free Press  Kyabram Free Press North Korea's revised Constitution removes reunification, mentions N-weapons - nhk.or.jpNorth Korea's revised Constitution removes reunification, mentions N-weapons  nhk.or.jp S. Korea highlights phased, flexible NK denuclearization approach at NPT event - The Korea TimesS. Korea highlights phased, flexible NK denuclearization approach at NPT event  The Korea Times Russia–North Korea Bridge Near Completion After 1 Year - Odessa JournalRussia–North Korea Bridge Near Completion After 1 Year  Odessa Journal North Korea imports pet dogs for Pyongyang's elite - DailyNKNorth Korea imports pet dogs for Pyongyang's elite  DailyNK North Korea boosting ability to manufacture nuclear arms, IAEA chief warns - Al JazeeraNorth Korea boosting ability to manufacture nuclear arms, IAEA chief warns  Al Jazeera Former North Korean diplomat peels back curtain on Pyongyang's foreign policy apparatus - The Korea TimesFormer North Korean diplomat peels back curtain on Pyongyang's foreign policy apparatus  The Korea Times North Korean Women’s Club To Face Suwon In Historic South Korea Return After 8 Years Away - Asianet NewsableNorth Korean Women’s Club To Face Suwon In Historic South Korea Return After 8 Years Away  Asianet Newsable North Korea Revises Constitution, Boosts Kim's Nuclear Authority - ????North Korea Revises Constitution, Boosts Kim's Nuclear Authority  ???? North Korea says it's not bound by nuclear treaty - canberratimes.com.auNorth Korea says it's not bound by nuclear treaty  canberratimes.com.au North Korea revises constitution and removes reunification language - mezha.netNorth Korea revises constitution and removes reunification language  mezha.net North Korea adds territorial clause, expands nuclear powers - ????North Korea adds territorial clause, expands nuclear powers  ???? North Korea Removes All References to Korean Reunification from Constitution: Report - ????? ?????North Korea Removes All References to Korean Reunification from Constitution: Report  ????? ????? North Korea NPT withdrawal: Pyongyang rejects treaty obligations - Yeni Safak EnglishNorth Korea NPT withdrawal: Pyongyang rejects treaty obligations  Yeni Safak English Two Americans sentenced to prison for role in North Korea IT schemes - MLexTwo Americans sentenced to prison for role in North Korea IT schemes  MLex North Korea drops unification goal with South Korea in major constitution update - The IndependentNorth Korea drops unification goal with South Korea in major constitution update  The Independent North Korea Revises Constitution, Removes Reference to Reunification with South Korea - VOI.idNorth Korea Revises Constitution, Removes Reference to Reunification with South Korea  VOI.id Did North Korea’s dictatorship grow out of a Christian revival? - Premier Christianity MagazineDid North Korea’s dictatorship grow out of a Christian revival?  Premier Christianity Magazine North Korea Victims Fight Crypto Co. Over $71M Frozen Funds - Law360North Korea Victims Fight Crypto Co. Over $71M Frozen Funds  Law360 North Korea as It Is - Foreign AffairsNorth Korea as It Is  Foreign Affairs North Korean women’s soccer team to play in South for first time in 12 years - NK NewsNorth Korean women’s soccer team to play in South for first time in 12 years  NK News North Korea drops unification goal from constitution: What it means for Korean Peninsula tensions - The News InternationalNorth Korea drops unification goal from constitution: What it means for Korean Peninsula tensions  The News International North Korea removes reunification from its constitution - YahooNorth Korea removes reunification from its constitution  Yahoo Pitch perfect diplomacy? North Korean footballers head to South Korea - South China Morning PostPitch perfect diplomacy? North Korean footballers head to South Korea  South China Morning Post US ‘laptop farmers’ get jail time for aiding DPRK IT workers scam local firms - NK NewsUS ‘laptop farmers’ get jail time for aiding DPRK IT workers scam local firms  NK News North Korea updates constitution to drop references of unity with South - The IndependentNorth Korea updates constitution to drop references of unity with South  The Independent