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

Two Americans sentenced to prison for North Korean tech worker scheme - CNNTwo Americans sentenced to prison for North Korean tech worker scheme  CNN North Korea is boosting nuclear weapons capacity: IAEA chief - The Hindu North Korea is boosting nuclear weapons capacity: IAEA chief  The Hindu Video | While World Watches Iran, North Korea Quietly Expands Nukes  NDTV Watchdog warns of rapid North Korea nuclear expansion  CNN Russia and North Korea’s Propaganda Partnership Is Taking Shape - The Moscow TimesRussia and North Korea’s Propaganda Partnership Is Taking Shape  The Moscow Times Magyar Labels State Media ‘North Korea and Nazi-Like’, Urges President to Resign - FirstpostMagyar Labels State Media ‘North Korea and Nazi-Like’, Urges President to Resign  Firstpost 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 South Korea says not aware of US protest over minister’s remarks on North Korea nuclear site By Reuters - Investing.comSouth Korea says not aware of US protest over minister’s remarks on North Korea nuclear site By Reuters  Investing.com North Korea leader Kim Jong Un oversees missile tests from new warship - News On AIRNorth Korea leader Kim Jong Un oversees missile tests from new warship  News On AIR North Korea first -- before Palestine - upi.comNorth Korea first -- before Palestine  upi.com 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 North Korea Tests Cruise And Anti-Ship Missiles From 5,000-Ton Naval Destroyer - Marine InsightNorth Korea Tests Cruise And Anti-Ship Missiles From 5,000-Ton Naval Destroyer  Marine Insight 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 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 The Shadow War: North Korea’s Grey-Zone Strategy in the Digital Age - orfonline.orgThe Shadow War: North Korea’s Grey-Zone Strategy in the Digital Age  orfonline.org Nuclear defiance: North Korea’s Kim signals he won’t be the next Iran - South China Morning PostNuclear defiance: North Korea’s Kim signals he won’t be the next Iran  South China Morning Post 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 Why North Korea’s Nuclear Arsenal Is a Growing Worry - Bloomberg.comWhy North Korea’s Nuclear Arsenal Is a Growing Worry  Bloomberg.com Watchdog warns of rapid North Korea nuclear expansion - CNNWatchdog warns of rapid North Korea nuclear expansion  CNN North Korea rapidly expanding nuclear weapons capability, UN watchdog warns - The GuardianNorth Korea rapidly expanding nuclear weapons capability, UN watchdog warns  The Guardian Quick Take: North Korea’s Sinpo-B Class Submarine Drydocked - 38 NorthQuick Take: North Korea’s Sinpo-B Class Submarine Drydocked  38 North North Korea’s abductions, nukes must be addressed together: Ex-Japanese diplomat - NK NewsNorth Korea’s abductions, nukes must be addressed together: Ex-Japanese diplomat  NK News Korean unification and human rights: old, new challenges - upi.comKorean unification and human rights: old, new challenges  upi.com North Korea Uses ClickFix to Target macOS Users' Data - Dark ReadingNorth Korea Uses ClickFix to Target macOS Users' Data  Dark Reading Two Americans sentenced for helping North Korea steal $5 million in fake IT worker scheme - TechCrunchTwo Americans sentenced for helping North Korea steal $5 million in fake IT worker scheme  TechCrunch When Recognition Becomes a Risk: Risky Trumpian Rhetoric - Center for Arms Control and Non-ProliferationWhen Recognition Becomes a Risk: Risky Trumpian Rhetoric  Center for Arms Control and Non-Proliferation Who was North Korea's Kim Il-sung? Ruthless ruler, icon or architect of the world’s most controlled regime - WIONWho was North Korea's Kim Il-sung? Ruthless ruler, icon or architect of the world’s most controlled regime  WION North Korean hackers use AI-powered social engineering to steal $100K in crypto - NK NewsNorth Korean hackers use AI-powered social engineering to steal $100K in crypto  NK News North Korea boosting ability to make nuclear weapons, IAEA chief says - Euronews.comNorth Korea boosting ability to make nuclear weapons, IAEA chief says  Euronews.com North Korea's Kim observes artillery drills on key holiday - upi.comNorth Korea's Kim observes artillery drills on key holiday  upi.com Kim Jong-Un - BritannicaKim Jong-Un  Britannica Russia-occupied region in Ukraine seeks cooperation with North Korea - Korea JoongAng DailyRussia-occupied region in Ukraine seeks cooperation with North Korea  Korea JoongAng Daily North Korea brokers extort defector families with surveillance threats - DailyNKNorth Korea brokers extort defector families with surveillance threats  DailyNK North Korea targets macOS users in latest heist - theregister.comNorth Korea targets macOS users in latest heist  theregister.com 'Very serious increase': UN watchdog flags sharp rise in North Korea's nuclear activity at Yongbyon - The Times of India'Very serious increase': UN watchdog flags sharp rise in North Korea's nuclear activity at Yongbyon  The Times of India UN watchdog says North Korea is boosting nuclear weapons capacity - ReutersUN watchdog says North Korea is boosting nuclear weapons capacity  Reuters Two Americans Jailed for Helping North Korean Tech Workers Infiltrate US Firms - The Impressive TimesTwo Americans Jailed for Helping North Korean Tech Workers Infiltrate US Firms  The Impressive Times Political bloodlines drive North Korea’s Social Safety Forces recruitment - DailyNKPolitical bloodlines drive North Korea’s Social Safety Forces recruitment  DailyNK North Korea's Kim Jong Un supervises missile tests from his naval destroyer - NBC NewsNorth Korea's Kim Jong Un supervises missile tests from his naval destroyer  NBC News North Korea Suspected of Being Behind April Fools’ Day Crypto Heist - WSJNorth Korea Suspected of Being Behind April Fools’ Day Crypto Heist  WSJ Kim Jong Un oversees artillery contest on North Korean founder’s birthday - NK NewsKim Jong Un oversees artillery contest on North Korean founder’s birthday  NK News Japan’s 2026 Diplomatic Bluebook: Reactions From China, South Korea And North Korea – Analysis - Eurasia ReviewJapan’s 2026 Diplomatic Bluebook: Reactions From China, South Korea And North Korea – Analysis  Eurasia Review Korean War - BritannicaKorean War  Britannica North Korea orders purge of officials with any ties to reunification - DailyNKNorth Korea orders purge of officials with any ties to reunification  DailyNK How North Korea laundered money through Vietnamese crypto company - The Korea TimesHow North Korea laundered money through Vietnamese crypto company  The Korea Times Russian-occupied Ukrainian region discusses deepening ties with North Korea - NK NewsRussian-occupied Ukrainian region discusses deepening ties with North Korea  NK 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 South Korean sentenced to prison for fraudulent North Korea defection scheme - NK NewsSouth Korean sentenced to prison for fraudulent North Korea defection scheme  NK News 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 not ready for a female successor - East Asia ForumNorth Korea not ready for a female successor  East Asia Forum UN Watchdog Warns North Korea Rapidly Expanding Nuclear Weapons Capacity - Modern DiplomacyUN Watchdog Warns North Korea Rapidly Expanding Nuclear Weapons Capacity  Modern Diplomacy UN nuclear watchdog chief seeks ROK support in tackling North Korean nuke threat - NK NewsUN nuclear watchdog chief seeks ROK support in tackling North Korean nuke threat  NK News ‘Very serious increase’: North Korea ramps up nuclear arms production at alarming pace, IAEA warns - WION‘Very serious increase’: North Korea ramps up nuclear arms production at alarming pace, IAEA warns  WION 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 North Korea keeping Iran at arm’s length, reports Seoul - Al JazeeraNorth Korea keeping Iran at arm’s length, reports Seoul  Al Jazeera North Korea's Kim oversees artillery firing contest on state founder's birthday - thehawk.inNorth Korea's Kim oversees artillery firing contest on state founder's birthday  thehawk.in Ethereum Foundation Helps Expose North Korean Workers That Infiltrated Crypto Firms - DecryptEthereum Foundation Helps Expose North Korean Workers That Infiltrated Crypto Firms  Decrypt Major Russian airline says it has received OK to fly over North Korea - NK NewsMajor Russian airline says it has received OK to fly over North Korea  NK News The 'blessing' of blood and the system behind 'gratitude and joy' - upi.comThe 'blessing' of blood and the system behind 'gratitude and joy'  upi.com Kim’s daughter absent from North Korean missile test - CNNKim’s daughter absent from North Korean missile test  CNN North Korea orders diplomats to lock in nuclear status, pursue multipolar strategy - DailyNKNorth Korea orders diplomats to lock in nuclear status, pursue multipolar strategy  DailyNK Chosen Soren's North Korea Visit Could Open Sanctions Loophole - JAPAN ForwardChosen Soren's North Korea Visit Could Open Sanctions Loophole  JAPAN Forward UN watchdog says North Korea is boosting nuclear weapons capacity - ThePrintUN watchdog says North Korea is boosting nuclear weapons capacity  ThePrint North Korea Tests New Theater Launch Platforms as Party Congress Continues Nuclear/Missile Buildup - 38 NorthNorth Korea Tests New Theater Launch Platforms as Party Congress Continues Nuclear/Missile Buildup  38 North New Jersey men given lengthy sentences for running North Korean laptop farms - The Record from Recorded Future NewsNew Jersey men given lengthy sentences for running North Korean laptop farms  The Record from Recorded Future News North Korea launches second 10-year reforestation drive - DailyNKNorth Korea launches second 10-year reforestation drive  DailyNK North Korea Made 'Serious Increase' in Nuclear Weapons, IAEA Says - Bloomberg.comNorth Korea Made 'Serious Increase' in Nuclear Weapons, IAEA Says  Bloomberg.com 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 US Nationals Jailed for Operating Fake Remote Worker Laptop Farms for North Korea - Infosecurity MagazineUS Nationals Jailed for Operating Fake Remote Worker Laptop Farms for North Korea  Infosecurity Magazine US nationals sentenced for aiding North Korea’s tech worker scheme - CyberScoopUS nationals sentenced for aiding North Korea’s tech worker scheme  CyberScoop 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 North Korea nuclear programme sees “serious increase,” says IAEA Chief - Moneycontrol.comNorth Korea nuclear programme sees “serious increase,” says IAEA Chief  Moneycontrol.com N. Korea's Kim oversees artillery firing contest on state founder's birthday - The Korea TimesN. Korea's Kim oversees artillery firing contest on state founder's birthday  The Korea Times With Little Incentive to Engage the US, North Korea Deepens Russia and China Ties - 38 NorthWith Little Incentive to Engage the US, North Korea Deepens Russia and China Ties  38 North North Korean leader's absence from Kumsusan Palace points to cementing of 'Kim Jong-un era' - The Korea HeraldNorth Korean leader's absence from Kumsusan Palace points to cementing of 'Kim Jong-un era'  The Korea Herald N. Korea calls for loyalty to leader Kim on founder's birth anniversary - The Korea TimesN. Korea calls for loyalty to leader Kim on founder's birth anniversary  The Korea Times US, South Korea, Japan naval leaders meet amid North Korean threats - Stars and StripesUS, South Korea, Japan naval leaders meet amid North Korean threats  Stars and Stripes Former Democratic Party Leader Discusses Korean Peace Bill With U.S. Congressman - ????Former Democratic Party Leader Discusses Korean Peace Bill With U.S. Congressman  ???? North Korea Tests Cruise Missiles from Naval Destroyer - GK TodayNorth Korea Tests Cruise Missiles from Naval Destroyer  GK Today North Korea Test Launches Anti-ship, Cruise Missiles from First-in-class Destroyer - USNI NewsNorth Korea Test Launches Anti-ship, Cruise Missiles from First-in-class Destroyer  USNI News Book Review: ‘Korean Messiah,’ by Jonathan Cheng - The New York TimesBook Review: ‘Korean Messiah,’ by Jonathan Cheng  The New York Times Jensen Huang says it's 'lunacy' to compare selling chips to China to selling nukes to North Korea - Business InsiderJensen Huang says it's 'lunacy' to compare selling chips to China to selling nukes to North Korea  Business Insider How North Korea laundered money through a Vietnamese crypto company - Latest news from AzerbaijanHow North Korea laundered money through a Vietnamese crypto company  Latest news from Azerbaijan North Korea Seeks Nuclear Recognition for U.S. Talks - Arms Control AssociationNorth Korea Seeks Nuclear Recognition for U.S. Talks  Arms Control Association North Korea's Kim oversees artillery firing contest on state founder's birthday - Korea JoongAng DailyNorth Korea's Kim oversees artillery firing contest on state founder's birthday  Korea JoongAng Daily North Korea Is the Head of the Snake—and the West Keeps Striking the Tail - Middle East ForumNorth Korea Is the Head of the Snake—and the West Keeps Striking the Tail  Middle East Forum Editorial: AI Monster Hackers Emerge, North Korea Interested - ????Editorial: AI Monster Hackers Emerge, North Korea Interested  ???? 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 US, ROK and Japan discuss naval cooperation to counter North Korea - NK NewsUS, ROK and Japan discuss naval cooperation to counter North Korea  NK News North Korea tests cruise and anti-ship missiles from naval destroyer - ReutersNorth Korea tests cruise and anti-ship missiles from naval destroyer  Reuters Two Americans sentenced over North Korea IT worker scheme - upi.comTwo Americans sentenced over North Korea IT worker scheme  upi.com Opinion | After years of neglect, China emerges as North Korea’s ‘top priority’ - South China Morning PostOpinion | After years of neglect, China emerges as North Korea’s ‘top priority’  South China Morning Post Korean Peninsula Update, April 14, 2026 - American Enterprise Institute - AEIKorean Peninsula Update, April 14, 2026  American Enterprise Institute - AEI 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 North Korea: Kim oversees more cruise missile tests from warships - Mid-dayNorth Korea: Kim oversees more cruise missile tests from warships  Mid-day US-Iran talks echo North Korea's nuclear impasse - Nikkei AsiaUS-Iran talks echo North Korea's nuclear impasse  Nikkei Asia North Korea makes “very serious” nuclear advances, IAEA chief warns - AnewZNorth Korea makes “very serious” nuclear advances, IAEA chief warns  AnewZ North Korea registers its largest warship with UN maritime watchdog - NK NewsNorth Korea registers its largest warship with UN maritime watchdog  NK News 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 Korean economy is ‘recovering’ thanks to Russia, China ties: Seoul - NK NewsNorth Korean economy is ‘recovering’ thanks to Russia, China ties: Seoul  NK News North Korea’s black market dollar rate breaks all-time record as China trade expands - DailyNKNorth Korea’s black market dollar rate breaks all-time record as China trade expands  DailyNK Two Americans sentenced for helping North Korean IT workers steal from US firms - NK NewsTwo Americans sentenced for helping North Korean IT workers steal from US firms  NK News