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

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After North Korea’s complaint, South probes drone airspace violation case - FirstpostLee warming up to Kim? After North Korea’s complaint, South probes drone airspace violation case  Firstpost ‘Gang of hooligans’: rebuke from North Korea signals icy ties with South - South China Morning Post‘Gang of hooligans’: rebuke from North Korea signals icy ties with South  South China Morning Post N. Korea unlikely to respond to request for joint probe into drone incident - The Korea TimesN. Korea unlikely to respond to request for joint probe into drone incident  The Korea Times South Korea: Police, military launch joint probe into North Korea's claim of drone incursion - thehawk.inSouth Korea: Police, military launch joint probe into North Korea's claim of drone incursion  thehawk.in North Korea vows response as it accuses South of flying drones across border - Awaz The VoiceNorth Korea vows response as it accuses South of flying drones across border  Awaz The Voice Inside North Korea: How one family built the world's most secretive nation - Times of IndiaInside North Korea: How one family built the world's most secretive nation  Times of India North Korea says another South Korean drone entered its airspace - The Economic TimesNorth Korea says another South Korean drone entered its airspace  The Economic Times North Korea’s Kim oversees test launch of long-range cruise missiles - Al JazeeraNorth Korea’s Kim oversees test launch of long-range cruise missiles  Al Jazeera North Korea condemns multilateral sanction monitoring activity, KCNA says - TradingView — Track All MarketsNorth Korea condemns multilateral sanction monitoring activity, KCNA says  TradingView — Track All Markets 7 Chinese, US nationals charged with smuggling weapons to North Korea - NK News7 Chinese, US nationals charged with smuggling weapons to North Korea  NK News ‘Unpardonable hysteria’: North Korea warns South of consequences for flying drones across border | World News - Hindustan Times‘Unpardonable hysteria’: North Korea warns South of consequences for flying drones across border | World News  Hindustan Times The teenage girl who may rule North Korea - The EconomistThe teenage girl who may rule North Korea  The Economist North Korea's Kim Yo Jong urges South Korea to investigate drone incidents - ReutersNorth Korea's Kim Yo Jong urges South Korea to investigate drone incidents  Reuters ‘Unpardonable hysteria’: North Korea accuses South of drone intrusion, warns of consequences; Seoul denie - Times of India‘Unpardonable hysteria’: North Korea accuses South of drone intrusion, warns of consequences; Seoul denie  Times of India North Korea's Kim Jong Un signals continued missile development in next 5 years - The HinduNorth Korea's Kim Jong Un signals continued missile development in next 5 years  The Hindu How North Korea will control battle-tested troops returning from the Ukraine war - NK NewsHow North Korea will control battle-tested troops returning from the Ukraine war  NK News North Korea slams US plan to present report on DPRK sanctions violations at UN - NK NewsNorth Korea slams US plan to present report on DPRK sanctions violations at UN  NK News War of words: How to evaluate North Korean claims of another ROK drone incursion - NK NewsWar of words: How to evaluate North Korean claims of another ROK drone incursion  NK News South Korea Investigates Civilians Flying Drones Toward North Korea - Jordan NewsSouth Korea Investigates Civilians Flying Drones Toward North Korea  Jordan News Kim Jong-Un’s daughter, Ju-ae, is becoming more visible in the North Korean regime’s stagecraft - EL PAÍS EnglishKim Jong-Un’s daughter, Ju-ae, is becoming more visible in the North Korean regime’s stagecraft  EL PAÍS English North Korean leader’s sister urges Seoul to explain drone incidents - Anadolu AjansiNorth Korean leader’s sister urges Seoul to explain drone incidents  Anadolu Ajansi South Korea investigates drone flights after North Korea alleges airspace violation - Gamereactor UKSouth Korea investigates drone flights after North Korea alleges airspace violation  Gamereactor UK Defense ministry vows 'swift' probe into N. Korea's drone incursion claim - The Korea TimesDefense ministry vows 'swift' probe into N. Korea's drone incursion claim  The Korea Times South Korea launches military-police probe into alleged drone intrusion into North Korea - The Korea HeraldSouth Korea launches military-police probe into alleged drone intrusion into North Korea  The Korea Herald North Korea drums up renewable energy use amid sanctions-caused electricity shortage - Korea JoongAng DailyNorth Korea drums up renewable energy use amid sanctions-caused electricity shortage  Korea JoongAng Daily North Korea builds 2nd private car dealership, gaming center in elite district - NK NewsNorth Korea builds 2nd private car dealership, gaming center in elite district  NK News North Korea Is Obsessed With World Domination—in Girls Soccer - WSJ - The Wall Street JournalNorth Korea Is Obsessed With World Domination—in Girls Soccer - WSJ  The Wall Street Journal North Korea says it downed South Korean drone, Seoul denies incursion - FirstpostNorth Korea says it downed South Korean drone, Seoul denies incursion  Firstpost S. Korea calls NSC meeting after North claims drone intrusions - upi.comS. Korea calls NSC meeting after North claims drone intrusions  upi.com North Korea claims it shot down South Korean drone - dw.comNorth Korea claims it shot down South Korean drone  dw.com North Korea’s Kim slams US-Seoul nuclear submarine deal as ‘offensive act’ - Al JazeeraNorth Korea’s Kim slams US-Seoul nuclear submarine deal as ‘offensive act’  Al Jazeera Residents question surveillance gaps at alleged drone launch site - The Korea TimesResidents question surveillance gaps at alleged drone launch site  The Korea Times South Korean president orders probe into alleged drone incursion into North Korea - Anadolu AjansiSouth Korean president orders probe into alleged drone incursion into North Korea  Anadolu Ajansi Police, military launch joint probe into North Korea's claim of drone incursion - Korea JoongAng DailyPolice, military launch joint probe into North Korea's claim of drone incursion  Korea JoongAng Daily South Korea Weighs Joint Probe With North Over Alleged Drone Incursions - KoreabizwireSouth Korea Weighs Joint Probe With North Over Alleged Drone Incursions  Koreabizwire Seoul reaffirms continued efforts to ease tensions with Pyongyang amid drone incursion claim - The Korea TimesSeoul reaffirms continued efforts to ease tensions with Pyongyang amid drone incursion claim  The Korea Times North Korea accuses South of sending drones to surveil sensitive military sites - NK NewsNorth Korea accuses South of sending drones to surveil sensitive military sites  NK News North Korea's Kim Jong Un views submarine construction, oversees missile launch, KCNA says - CNBCNorth Korea's Kim Jong Un views submarine construction, oversees missile launch, KCNA says  CNBC North Korea's Kim Jong Un attends New Year celebrations with daughter - NBC NewsNorth Korea's Kim Jong Un attends New Year celebrations with daughter  NBC News North Korea accuses South of drone incursions, issues warning to Seoul - AzerNewsNorth Korea accuses South of drone incursions, issues warning to Seoul  AzerNews Police, military launch joint probe into N. Korea's claim of drone incursion - upi.comPolice, military launch joint probe into N. 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Korean leader's sister calls for explanation from S. Korea over drone incursions - The Korea TimesN. Korean leader's sister calls for explanation from S. Korea over drone incursions  The Korea Times Seoul issues denial as N. Korea claims new drone incursions - DawnSeoul issues denial as N. Korea claims new drone incursions  Dawn North And South Korea Clash Over Border Drone Incident - evrimagaci.orgNorth And South Korea Clash Over Border Drone Incident  evrimagaci.org Inside North Korea’s obsession with dominating girls soccer | Mint - MintInside North Korea’s obsession with dominating girls soccer | Mint  Mint N Korea’s Kim hails ‘ever-victorious’ army’s role in war against Ukraine - Al JazeeraN Korea’s Kim hails ‘ever-victorious’ army’s role in war against Ukraine  Al Jazeera S. Korea investigates alleged civilian drone incursion into NK - The Korea TimesS. Korea investigates alleged civilian drone incursion into NK  The Korea Times North Korea Denounces S. 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Korea denounces multilateral monitoring of U.N. sanctions  Yonhap News Agency North demands ‘explanation’ from Seoul over incursion - Taipei TimesNorth demands ‘explanation’ from Seoul over incursion  Taipei Times Why are North and South Korea divided? - BritannicaWhy are North and South Korea divided?  Britannica From Buldak noodles to photo booths: North Korea copies South Korean trends - The Korea TimesFrom Buldak noodles to photo booths: North Korea copies South Korean trends  The Korea Times South Korea’s Lee calls for efforts to ease tensions with North Korea - Anadolu AjansiSouth Korea’s Lee calls for efforts to ease tensions with North Korea  Anadolu Ajansi North Korea reveals new images of its first ‘nuclear-powered’ submarine - CNNNorth Korea reveals new images of its first ‘nuclear-powered’ submarine  CNN President Lee Jae-myung: Taiwan Issue Between China and Japan - ????President Lee Jae-myung: Taiwan Issue Between China and Japan  ???? 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Korea  The Korea Times US says seizure of tankers linked to Venezuela sends a warning to North Korea - NK NewsUS says seizure of tankers linked to Venezuela sends a warning to North Korea  NK News North Korea's Kim Jong Un orders factories to make more missiles in 2026 - Le Monde.frNorth Korea's Kim Jong Un orders factories to make more missiles in 2026  Le Monde.fr North Korea Accuses South of Another Drone Incursion - WIONNorth Korea Accuses South of Another Drone Incursion  WION Cheong Wa Dae reaffirms no intention of provoking N. Korea over drone incursion - The Korea TimesCheong Wa Dae reaffirms no intention of provoking N. Korea over drone incursion  The Korea Times North Korea: the elephant in the room when Xi met Lee in Beijing - South China Morning PostNorth Korea: the elephant in the room when Xi met Lee in Beijing  South China Morning Post This time, Russia stands in the way of any US-North Korea deal - Lowy InstituteThis time, Russia stands in the way of any US-North Korea deal  Lowy Institute US Making Mockery Of UN — North Korea - Channels TelevisionUS Making Mockery Of UN — North Korea  Channels Television North Korea hasn’t resumed regular flights to Shanghai, counter to schedule - NK NewsNorth Korea hasn’t resumed regular flights to Shanghai, counter to schedule  NK News North Korea to brand S. Korea ‘most hostile enemy’ over alleged drone incursion | Hindustan Times - Hindustan TimesNorth Korea to brand S. Korea ‘most hostile enemy’ over alleged drone incursion | Hindustan Times  Hindustan Times