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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Korea's Kim says ties with China put on 'new high stage' in message to Xi - The Korea TimesN. Korea's Kim says ties with China put on 'new high stage' in message to Xi  The Korea Times North Korea fires ballistic missiles as US-South Korea hold military drills - aljazeera.comNorth Korea fires ballistic missiles as US-South Korea hold military drills  aljazeera.com 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 North Korea’s Kim oversees cruise missile tests from new naval destroyer - aljazeera.comNorth Korea’s Kim oversees cruise missile tests from new naval destroyer  aljazeera.com 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 South Korea to co-sponsor UN Human Rights resolution on North Korea - Korea JoongAng DailySouth Korea to co-sponsor UN Human Rights resolution on North Korea  Korea JoongAng Daily Belarus’s Lukashenko makes first visit to North Korea in bid to deepen ties - aljazeera.comBelarus’s Lukashenko makes first visit to North Korea in bid to deepen ties  aljazeera.com North Korea and Belarus sign 'friendship' treaty as Lukashenko makes rare visit - FirstpostNorth Korea and Belarus sign 'friendship' treaty as Lukashenko makes rare visit  Firstpost North Korea Launches Massive Ballistic Missile Barrage Amid South Korea-US Drills - The Diplomat – Asia-Pacific Current Affairs MagazineNorth Korea Launches Massive Ballistic Missile Barrage Amid South Korea-US Drills  The Diplomat – Asia-Pacific Current Affairs Magazine South Korea Co-Sponsors UN North Korean Human Rights Resolution - ????South Korea Co-Sponsors UN North Korean Human Rights Resolution  ???? North Korea and Belarus sign ‘friendship’ deal - CNNNorth Korea and Belarus sign ‘friendship’ deal  CNN North Koreans fear possible deployment as Iran war intensifies - report | Iran International - ????? ??????????North Koreans fear possible deployment as Iran war intensifies - report | Iran International  ????? ?????????? North Korea, Belarus hold summit, sign friendship treaty: KCNA - NewsGramNorth Korea, Belarus hold summit, sign friendship treaty: KCNA  NewsGram North Korea and Belarus sign friendship treaty, deepening ties [VIDEO] - TVP WorldNorth Korea and Belarus sign friendship treaty, deepening ties [VIDEO]  TVP World Kim Jong Un uses Iran war to justify North Korea’s decision to keep its nuclear weapons - CNNKim Jong Un uses Iran war to justify North Korea’s decision to keep its nuclear weapons  CNN Belarus’ Lukashenko, North Korea’s Kim Jong Un sign friendship, cooperation treaty - Mid-dayBelarus’ Lukashenko, North Korea’s Kim Jong Un sign friendship, cooperation treaty  Mid-day South Korea, Ukraine ministers agree North POWs will be handled according to humanitarian principles - Korea JoongAng DailySouth Korea, Ukraine ministers agree North POWs will be handled according to humanitarian principles  Korea JoongAng Daily Opposition pounces on Seoul’s hesitation to condemn North Korean right abuses - NK NewsOpposition pounces on Seoul’s hesitation to condemn North Korean right abuses  NK News 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 Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko visits North Korea - Reuters ConnectBelarusian President Alexander Lukashenko visits North Korea  Reuters Connect Belarus's Lukashenko greeted by Kim Jong Un on first visit to North Korea - France 24Belarus's Lukashenko greeted by Kim Jong Un on first visit to North Korea  France 24 North Korea’s Rogue Strategic Pipeline Arming Iran's War Effort: Exclusive Interview - Military.comNorth Korea’s Rogue Strategic Pipeline Arming Iran's War Effort: Exclusive Interview  Military.com Ex-Trump interpreter recalls US-North Korea summits, translation challenges in delicate diplomacy - The Korea TimesEx-Trump interpreter recalls US-North Korea summits, translation challenges in delicate diplomacy  The Korea Times Why Kim Jong Un decided to launch a new ‘police system’ in North Korea - NK NewsWhy Kim Jong Un decided to launch a new ‘police system’ in North Korea  NK News China's Xi congratulates N. Korean leader on reelection to top leadership post - The Korea TimesChina's Xi congratulates N. Korean leader on reelection to top leadership post  The Korea Times North Korea resumes border fortification work after winter hiatus: JCS - The Korea TimesNorth Korea resumes border fortification work after winter hiatus: JCS  The Korea Times North Korea holds lavish welcome for Belarus president - DW.comNorth Korea holds lavish welcome for Belarus president  DW.com Video. Belarus's Lukashenko gifts assault rifle to North Korea's Kim Jong Un - Euronews.comVideo. Belarus's Lukashenko gifts assault rifle to North Korea's Kim Jong Un  Euronews.com ‘Han-Jo relations’ and South Korea’s constitutional crisis - DailyNK‘Han-Jo relations’ and South Korea’s constitutional crisis  DailyNK N. Korea, Belarus hold summit, sign friendship treaty: KCNA - The Korea TimesN. Korea, Belarus hold summit, sign friendship treaty: KCNA  The Korea Times North Korea, Belarus sign friendship treaty, KCNA says - reuters.comNorth Korea, Belarus sign friendship treaty, KCNA says  reuters.com Eight Lessons for North Korea’s Nuclear and Missile Forces From the Ongoing Iran Conflict - 38 NorthEight Lessons for North Korea’s Nuclear and Missile Forces From the Ongoing Iran Conflict  38 North Why are North and South Korea divided? - britannica.comWhy are North and South Korea divided?  britannica.com Sanctioned goods flow through resumed NK-China trains - DailyNKSanctioned goods flow through resumed NK-China trains  DailyNK South Korea to co-sponsor UN resolution on North Korea rights - The Sun MalaysiaSouth Korea to co-sponsor UN resolution on North Korea rights  The Sun Malaysia North Korea denounces ‘muscle-flexing’ US-South Korean military exercises - aljazeera.comNorth Korea denounces ‘muscle-flexing’ US-South Korean military exercises  aljazeera.com North Korea’s Response to the Israel-US Attacks on Iran - The Diplomat – Asia-Pacific Current Affairs MagazineNorth Korea’s Response to the Israel-US Attacks on Iran  The Diplomat – Asia-Pacific Current Affairs Magazine South sees no reason to push UN human rights resolution against North: Unification minister - Korea JoongAng DailySouth sees no reason to push UN human rights resolution against North: Unification minister  Korea JoongAng Daily Weapons and friendship: How Lukashenko’s trip to North Korea echoed Putin’s - NK NewsWeapons and friendship: How Lukashenko’s trip to North Korea echoed Putin’s  NK News President of Belarus visits Kim Jong Un in Pyongyang, signing friendship treaty - NBC NewsPresident of Belarus visits Kim Jong Un in Pyongyang, signing friendship treaty  NBC News Kim Jong-un Says North Korea-China Ties Reach New High - ????Kim Jong-un Says North Korea-China Ties Reach New High  ???? 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Korea's Kim on reelection as president of state affairs: KCNA  The Korea Times Lukashenko orders opening of Belarusian Embassy in North Korea - NK NewsLukashenko orders opening of Belarusian Embassy in North Korea  NK News South Korea, Ukraine Agree to Cooperate on Repatriation - ????South Korea, Ukraine Agree to Cooperate on Repatriation  ???? Xi Jinping congratulates Kim Jong-un on re-election to top leadership post - Korea JoongAng DailyXi Jinping congratulates Kim Jong-un on re-election to top leadership post  Korea JoongAng Daily Belarusian leader seals friendship treaty with North Korea's Kim, gives him a gun - reuters.comBelarusian leader seals friendship treaty with North Korea's Kim, gives him a gun  reuters.com North Korea, Belarus Sign ‘Friendship and Cooperation’ Treaty - The Defense PostNorth Korea, Belarus Sign ‘Friendship and Cooperation’ Treaty  The Defense Post A North Korean girl who no longer exists - The Korea TimesA North Korean girl who no longer exists  The Korea Times North Korea, Belarus leaders hold summit and sign friendship treaty - Korea JoongAng DailyNorth Korea, Belarus leaders hold summit and sign friendship treaty  Korea JoongAng Daily ‘North Korea is not Iran’: Former Pyongyang envoy explains why Kim Jong Un isn’t losing sleep - DailyNK‘North Korea is not Iran’: Former Pyongyang envoy explains why Kim Jong Un isn’t losing sleep  DailyNK North Korea lionizes Kim Jong Un’s reelection and diplomacy with Belarus - NK NewsNorth Korea lionizes Kim Jong Un’s reelection and diplomacy with Belarus  NK News North Korean leader Kim observes test of rocket launch systems with his daughter - The Washington PostNorth Korean leader Kim observes test of rocket launch systems with his daughter  The Washington Post Belarusian President Lukashenko arrives in North Korea for talks with Kim Jong Un - AP NewsBelarusian President Lukashenko arrives in North Korea for talks with Kim Jong Un  AP News PPP slams unification minister's opposition to UN resolution on NK human rights violations - The Korea TimesPPP slams unification minister's opposition to UN resolution on NK human rights violations  The Korea Times U.S. Strikes on Iran Reinforce North Korea’s Nuclear Resolve - WSJU.S. Strikes on Iran Reinforce North Korea’s Nuclear Resolve  WSJ North Korea, Belarus sign friendship treaty at Kim-Lukashenko summit - upi.comNorth Korea, Belarus sign friendship treaty at Kim-Lukashenko summit  upi.com Lee doesn’t mention North Korea in memorial for troops killed in sea skirmishes - NK NewsLee doesn’t mention North Korea in memorial for troops killed in sea skirmishes  NK News North Korean and Belarussian leaders sign friendship treaty - AP NewsNorth Korean and Belarussian leaders sign friendship treaty  AP News South Korea co-sponsors UN resolution on North Korea human rights - CHOSUNBIZ - ChosunbizSouth Korea co-sponsors UN resolution on North Korea human rights - CHOSUNBIZ  Chosunbiz N Korea, Belarus sign ‘friendship’ treaty - Taipei TimesN Korea, Belarus sign ‘friendship’ treaty  Taipei Times North Korea fires 10 ballistic missiles during US-South Korea military drills - reuters.comNorth Korea fires 10 ballistic missiles during US-South Korea military drills  reuters.com Belarus, North Korea leaders hold talks, sign friendship, cooperation treaty | NHK WORLD-JAPAN News - nhk.or.jpBelarus, North Korea leaders hold talks, sign friendship, cooperation treaty | NHK WORLD-JAPAN News  nhk.or.jp China and North Korea to resume passenger train service after six-year halt - BBCChina and North Korea to resume passenger train service after six-year halt  BBC North Korea, Belarus Hold First Summit Amid Military Talks - ????North Korea, Belarus Hold First Summit Amid Military Talks  ???? South Korea prepared to deter North, even if US moves defense systems: Lee - NK NewsSouth Korea prepared to deter North, even if US moves defense systems: Lee  NK News What lessons is North Korea learning from the Iran war? - DW.comWhat lessons is North Korea learning from the Iran war?  DW.com Kim Jong-un is in no rush to talk - Lowy InstituteKim Jong-un is in no rush to talk  Lowy Institute Seoul to co-sponsor UN resolution on North Korea rights - CNASeoul to co-sponsor UN resolution on North Korea rights  CNA Belarus and North Korea are tightening relations - Defence24.comBelarus and North Korea are tightening relations  Defence24.com Lee honors fallen troops in West Sea, vows to build peace with strong defense capabilities - The Korea TimesLee honors fallen troops in West Sea, vows to build peace with strong defense capabilities  The Korea Times Belarusian, North Korean leaders hold summit and upgrade relationship to 'new stage': Report - Korea JoongAng DailyBelarusian, North Korean leaders hold summit and upgrade relationship to 'new stage': Report  Korea JoongAng Daily On the Korean peninsula, a declaration of peace can lead to war - The HillOn the Korean peninsula, a declaration of peace can lead to war  The Hill “Closest Comrade” – the bromance underpinning North Korea’s alliance with Russia - Lowy Institute“Closest Comrade” – the bromance underpinning North Korea’s alliance with Russia  Lowy Institute North Korea’s Kim Jong Un gifted assault rifle by Belarusian president: ‘In case enemies appear’ - Yahoo News SingaporeNorth Korea’s Kim Jong Un gifted assault rifle by Belarusian president: ‘In case enemies appear’  Yahoo News Singapore ROK navy conducts large-scale drills on anniversary of North Korean attack - NK NewsROK navy conducts large-scale drills on anniversary of North Korean attack  NK News