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

North Korea leader Kim Jong Un oversees missile tests from new warship - News On AIR North Korea leader Kim Jong Un oversees missile tests from new warship  News On AIR North Korea's Kim Oversees Navy Cruise Missile Test  Deccan Chronicle North Korea's Kim Jong Un oversees new missile tests from advanced warship  The New Indian Express North Korea's APT37 Uses Facebook Social Engineering to Deliver RokRAT Malware - The Hacker NewsNorth Korea's APT37 Uses Facebook Social Engineering to Deliver RokRAT Malware  The Hacker News North Korea is boosting nuclear weapons capacity: IAEA chief - The Hindu North Korea is boosting nuclear weapons capacity: IAEA chief  The Hindu North Korea rapidly expanding nuclear weapons capability, UN watchdog warns  The Guardian North Korea showing 'serious increase' in ability to make nuclear weapons: IAEA chief  The Economic Times North Korea blasts Japan's diplomatic bluebook as 'grave provocation'. Here's why - WIONNorth Korea blasts Japan's diplomatic bluebook as 'grave provocation'. Here's why  WION Why Did Wang Yi Go to North Korea? China’s 3 Strategic Calculations - The Diplomat – Asia-PacificWhy Did Wang Yi Go to North Korea? China’s 3 Strategic Calculations  The Diplomat – Asia-Pacific OpenAI Impacted by North Korea-Linked Axios Supply Chain Hack - SecurityWeekOpenAI Impacted by North Korea-Linked Axios Supply Chain Hack  SecurityWeek The last shadow of socialism - upi.comThe last shadow of socialism  upi.com North Korea calls for loyalty to leader Kim on founder's birth anniversary - The Hans IndiaNorth Korea calls for loyalty to leader Kim on founder's birth anniversary  The Hans India Why North Korea hacks crypto instead of evading sanctions like Russia and Iran - CoinDeskWhy North Korea hacks crypto instead of evading sanctions like Russia and Iran  CoinDesk North Korea's Nuclear Surge: A New Era of Enrichment - DevdiscourseNorth Korea's Nuclear Surge: A New Era of Enrichment  Devdiscourse North Korea showing 'serious increase' in ability to make nuclear weapons: IAEA chief - The Economic TimesNorth Korea showing 'serious increase' in ability to make nuclear weapons: IAEA chief  The Economic Times North Korea is boosting nuclear weapons capacity: IAEA - BusinessLineNorth Korea is boosting nuclear weapons capacity: IAEA  BusinessLine North Korea leader’s sister says Seoul’s regret sending drones ‘wise behaviour’ - The HinduNorth Korea leader’s sister says Seoul’s regret sending drones ‘wise behaviour’  The Hindu UN Watchdog Warns North Korea Rapidly Expanding Nuclear Weapons Capacity - Modern DiplomacyUN Watchdog Warns North Korea Rapidly Expanding Nuclear Weapons Capacity  Modern Diplomacy North Korea Tests Cruise, Anti-Ship Missiles From Destroyer, Signals Naval Buildup - BW BusinessworldNorth Korea Tests Cruise, Anti-Ship Missiles From Destroyer, Signals Naval Buildup  BW Businessworld Trump’s war with Iran has left prospects for North Korea talks on life support - NK NewsTrump’s war with Iran has left prospects for North Korea talks on life support  NK News North Korea boosting ability to make nuclear arms: UN watchdog - Gulf NewsNorth Korea boosting ability to make nuclear arms: UN watchdog  Gulf News North Korea calls for loyalty to leader Kim on founder's birth anniversary - thehawk.inNorth Korea calls for loyalty to leader Kim on founder's birth anniversary  thehawk.in North Korea: Kim oversees more cruise missile tests from warships - Mid-dayNorth Korea: Kim oversees more cruise missile tests from warships  Mid-day North Korea slams Japan for criticizing its nuclear, missile programs - Anadolu AjansiNorth Korea slams Japan for criticizing its nuclear, missile programs  Anadolu Ajansi North Korea sharply boosting nuclear weapons capacity, IAEA chief says By Reuters - Investing.comNorth Korea sharply boosting nuclear weapons capacity, IAEA chief says By Reuters  Investing.com North Korea tests cruise missiles from new warship as Kim Jong Un watches - Sky NewsNorth Korea tests cruise missiles from new warship as Kim Jong Un watches  Sky News Escalation in North Korea's Nuclear Capabilities Alarms IAEA - DevdiscourseEscalation in North Korea's Nuclear Capabilities Alarms IAEA  Devdiscourse IAEA Warns Of Sharp Expansion In North Korea’s Nuclear Weapons Capacity - BW BusinessworldIAEA Warns Of Sharp Expansion In North Korea’s Nuclear Weapons Capacity  BW Businessworld China greenlights new seafood inspection facility on North Korea border - NK NewsChina greenlights new seafood inspection facility on North Korea border  NK News US-Iran talks echo North Korea's nuclear impasse - Nikkei AsiaUS-Iran talks echo North Korea's nuclear impasse  Nikkei Asia N. Korea, Russia's largest labor unions sign cooperation agreement - The Korea TimesN. Korea, Russia's largest labor unions sign cooperation agreement  The Korea Times N. Korea's economy entering recovery phase amid closer ties with Russia, China: Seoul - The Korea TimesN. Korea's economy entering recovery phase amid closer ties with Russia, China: Seoul  The Korea Times Kim Jong-Un - BritannicaKim Jong-Un  Britannica Korean Peninsula Update, April 14, 2026 - American Enterprise Institute - AEIKorean Peninsula Update, April 14, 2026  American Enterprise Institute - AEI Korean War - BritannicaKorean War  Britannica North Korea upgrading airports at Wonsan resort and China border - NK NewsNorth Korea upgrading airports at Wonsan resort and China border  NK News North Korea's Kim observes test-firing of cruise, anti-warship missiles from key destroyer - GujaratSamachar EnglishNorth Korea's Kim observes test-firing of cruise, anti-warship missiles from key destroyer  GujaratSamachar English IAEA Chief Warns North Korea Is Boosting Nuclear Weapons Capacity - The Diplomatic InsightIAEA Chief Warns North Korea Is Boosting Nuclear Weapons Capacity  The Diplomatic Insight Korea, Russia's union heads sign cooperation agreement in Pyongyang - Korea JoongAng DailyKorea, Russia's union heads sign cooperation agreement in Pyongyang  Korea JoongAng Daily It matters how Christians interact with kingdoms on earth - Mission Network NewsIt matters how Christians interact with kingdoms on earth  Mission Network News North Korea keeping Iran at arm’s length, reports Seoul - Al JazeeraNorth Korea keeping Iran at arm’s length, reports Seoul  Al Jazeera IAEA Chief Warns of 'Very Serious' Expansion in North Korea's Nuclear Capabilities - RatopatiIAEA Chief Warns of 'Very Serious' Expansion in North Korea's Nuclear Capabilities  Ratopati North Korea denounces Japan’s diplomatic report, calling it a provocation - ????North Korea denounces Japan’s diplomatic report, calling it a provocation  ???? North Korea slams Japan over diplomatic paper criticizing its nuclear, missile programs - Korea JoongAng DailyNorth Korea slams Japan over diplomatic paper criticizing its nuclear, missile programs  Korea JoongAng Daily North Korea Anniversary - dailyrecordnews.comNorth Korea Anniversary  dailyrecordnews.com North Korea sharply boosting nuclear weapons capacity: IAEA - The Business StandardNorth Korea sharply boosting nuclear weapons capacity: IAEA  The Business Standard Kim’s daughter absent from North Korean missile test - CNNKim’s daughter absent from North Korean missile test  CNN North Korea - Nuclear, Juche, Reunification - BritannicaNorth Korea - Nuclear, Juche, Reunification  Britannica Russian, North Korean trade unions ink cooperation deal in Pyongyang - NK NewsRussian, North Korean trade unions ink cooperation deal in Pyongyang  NK News North Korea's Kim Jong Un Oversees New Missile Launches From Navy Warship | FP Video - FirstpostNorth Korea's Kim Jong Un Oversees New Missile Launches From Navy Warship | FP Video  Firstpost Trump's "Final Offer" Pitch: Seen In Ukraine, China, North Korea...Now Iran - NDTVTrump's "Final Offer" Pitch: Seen In Ukraine, China, North Korea...Now Iran  NDTV North Korea Tests Cruise, Anti-Ship Missiles From Naval Destroyer - News18North Korea Tests Cruise, Anti-Ship Missiles From Naval Destroyer  News18 North Korea - Relations, South, Tensions - BritannicaNorth Korea - Relations, South, Tensions  Britannica North Korea Tests Cruise Missiles from Naval Destroyer - GK TodayNorth Korea Tests Cruise Missiles from Naval Destroyer  GK Today IAEA warns of expansion in North Korea’s nuclear weapons capabilities - Caliber.AzIAEA warns of expansion in North Korea’s nuclear weapons capabilities  Caliber.Az North Korean leader Kim backs China's push for ‘multipolar world’ in talks with foreign minister - The Washington PostNorth Korean leader Kim backs China's push for ‘multipolar world’ in talks with foreign minister  The Washington Post Human rights commission says Seoul should protect North Korean POWs in Ukraine - NK NewsHuman rights commission says Seoul should protect North Korean POWs in Ukraine  NK News North Korean leader oversees missile tests from naval destroyer - LiveNOW from FOXNorth Korean leader oversees missile tests from naval destroyer  LiveNOW from FOX South Korea says 'credible intelligence' indicates North Korean leader's daughter is successor - ReutersSouth Korea says 'credible intelligence' indicates North Korean leader's daughter is successor  Reuters North Korea tests cruise and anti-ship missiles from naval destroyer - The Japan TimesNorth Korea tests cruise and anti-ship missiles from naval destroyer  The Japan Times North Korea showing 'serious ability' over nuclear weapon, says IAEA chief - RTE.ieNorth Korea showing 'serious ability' over nuclear weapon, says IAEA chief  RTE.ie 'Weapon will be used immediately...’: North Korea sends BIG message to US amid West Asia war, conducts drills with 600mm rocket launchers - WION'Weapon will be used immediately...’: North Korea sends BIG message to US amid West Asia war, conducts drills with 600mm rocket launchers  WION North Korea calls Japan diplomatic paper a 'grave provocation' - CNANorth Korea calls Japan diplomatic paper a 'grave provocation'  CNA North Korea's Kim observes test-firing of cruise, anti-warship missiles from key destroyer - thehawk.inNorth Korea's Kim observes test-firing of cruise, anti-warship missiles from key destroyer  thehawk.in North Korea Seeks Nuclear Recognition for U.S. Talks - Arms Control AssociationNorth Korea Seeks Nuclear Recognition for U.S. Talks  Arms Control Association OpenAI Impacted by North Korea-Linked Axios Supply Chain Hack, Rotates Security Certificates - CXO DigitalpulseOpenAI Impacted by North Korea-Linked Axios Supply Chain Hack, Rotates Security Certificates  CXO Digitalpulse ANOTHER WAR COMING? North Korea’s Kim Jong Un Tests CRUISE Missiles From Naval Destroyer - OneindiaANOTHER WAR COMING? North Korea’s Kim Jong Un Tests CRUISE Missiles From Naval Destroyer  Oneindia South Korea Prosecutor rejects claims in North Korea transfer probe - upi.comSouth Korea Prosecutor rejects claims in North Korea transfer probe  upi.com Lessons From North Korea’s Nuclear Rise: Why the Iran Issue Will Ultimately Lead to War - Vision TimesLessons From North Korea’s Nuclear Rise: Why the Iran Issue Will Ultimately Lead to War  Vision Times North Korea tests cruise and anti-ship missiles from naval destroyer - ReutersNorth Korea tests cruise and anti-ship missiles from naval destroyer  Reuters Kim Jong Un watches as North Korea fires cruise, anti-ship missiles from naval destroyer - IndiabloomsKim Jong Un watches as North Korea fires cruise, anti-ship missiles from naval destroyer  Indiablooms Book Review: ‘Korean Messiah,’ by Jonathan Cheng - The New York TimesBook Review: ‘Korean Messiah,’ by Jonathan Cheng  The New York Times North Korea's Kim Jong Un doubles down on nuclear program - DW.comNorth Korea's Kim Jong Un doubles down on nuclear program  DW.com North Korea’s Kim oversees navy cruise missile test - Kuwait TimesNorth Korea’s Kim oversees navy cruise missile test  Kuwait Times Cathy Kang: Rethinking Korean unification from a global perspective - NK NewsCathy Kang: Rethinking Korean unification from a global perspective  NK News North Korea Rewrites Its War Playbook After Clashes With Ukrainian Forces - UNITED24 MediaNorth Korea Rewrites Its War Playbook After Clashes With Ukrainian Forces  UNITED24 Media North Korea test-fires cruise and anti-ship missiles from naval destroyer - TRT WorldNorth Korea test-fires cruise and anti-ship missiles from naval destroyer  TRT World North Korea demonstrates strike power from new 5,000-ton destroyer - The Morning VoiceNorth Korea demonstrates strike power from new 5,000-ton destroyer  The Morning Voice Why North Korea and South Korea Are Separate Countries - BritannicaWhy North Korea and South Korea Are Separate Countries  Britannica 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 Kim Jong-un references 'one-China' principle for first time, signaling deepening ties with Beijing - Korea JoongAng DailyKim Jong-un references 'one-China' principle for first time, signaling deepening ties with Beijing  Korea JoongAng Daily N. Korea's Kim sends educational aid to pro-Pyongyang ethnic Koreans in Japan - The Korea TimesN. Korea's Kim sends educational aid to pro-Pyongyang ethnic Koreans in Japan  The Korea Times Report to Congress on the U.S.-South Korea Alliance - USNI NewsReport to Congress on the U.S.-South Korea Alliance  USNI News Kim oversees new missile test from destroyer - EFE - Agencia de noticiasKim oversees new missile test from destroyer  EFE - Agencia de noticias N. Korean leader's 1st public reference to 'one-China' principle points to closer bilateral ties: Seoul - The Korea TimesN. Korean leader's 1st public reference to 'one-China' principle points to closer bilateral ties: Seoul  The Korea Times North Korea's Missile Test and Military Prowess - DevdiscourseNorth Korea's Missile Test and Military Prowess  Devdiscourse North Korea tests cruise missiles from new warship as Kim Jong Un watches - Yahoo News MalaysiaNorth Korea tests cruise missiles from new warship as Kim Jong Un watches  Yahoo News Malaysia North Korea's Tactical Advances: Choe Hyon's Missile Milestones - DevdiscourseNorth Korea's Tactical Advances: Choe Hyon's Missile Milestones  Devdiscourse History of South Korea - Relations with the North - BritannicaHistory of South Korea - Relations with the North  Britannica North Korea tests cruise missiles and anti-ship missiles on a naval destroyer - Marine News MagazineNorth Korea tests cruise missiles and anti-ship missiles on a naval destroyer  Marine News Magazine North Korea's Naval Power Surge: Strategic Missile Trials and New Destroyers - DevdiscourseNorth Korea's Naval Power Surge: Strategic Missile Trials and New Destroyers  Devdiscourse North Korea Tests Mixed Missiles From 'Choe Hyon' Destroyer - ????North Korea Tests Mixed Missiles From 'Choe Hyon' Destroyer  ???? North Korea calls Japan diplomatic paper a 'grave provocation' - MSNNorth Korea calls Japan diplomatic paper a 'grave provocation'  MSN Russian military jet makes second visit to North Korea in a week - NK NewsRussian military jet makes second visit to North Korea in a week  NK News UN watchdog says North Korea is boosting nuclear weapons capacity - The Straits TimesUN watchdog says North Korea is boosting nuclear weapons capacity  The Straits Times Kim Jong Un sidelines his predecessors in sweeping cult of personality push - DailyNKKim Jong Un sidelines his predecessors in sweeping cult of personality push  DailyNK North Korea tested missiles on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday, state media confirms - Le Monde.frNorth Korea tested missiles on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday, state media confirms  Le Monde.fr Families of North Korea-Detained Missionaries Find Strength in Global Recognition - ????Families of North Korea-Detained Missionaries Find Strength in Global Recognition  ???? North Korea fires ballistic missiles as US-South Korea hold military drills - Al JazeeraNorth Korea fires ballistic missiles as US-South Korea hold military drills  Al Jazeera Kim Jong Un donates $2M to educate pro-North Korea youth in Japan - NK NewsKim Jong Un donates $2M to educate pro-North Korea youth in Japan  NK News Can North Korea's Silence Invalidate 'Payments' Case? - ????Can North Korea's Silence Invalidate 'Payments' Case?  ???? North Korean leader supervises missile tests from his naval destroyer - AP NewsNorth Korean leader supervises missile tests from his naval destroyer  AP News North Korea kicks off tourism expo amid hopes for reopening to Chinese visitors - NK NewsNorth Korea kicks off tourism expo amid hopes for reopening to Chinese visitors  NK News Photos show North Korea testing missiles with Kim Jong Un looking on - USA TodayPhotos show North Korea testing missiles with Kim Jong Un looking on  USA Today