North Korea

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This article is about the Democratic People's Republic of Korea. For the Republic of Korea,
see South Korea. For other uses, see Korea and Korean Peninsula.
Coordinates: 4000N 12700E

Democratic People's Republic of Korea

Chosn Minjujui Inmin Konghwaguk

Flag

Emblem

Motto: Chosn'gl: ; MR: Kangsng Daeguk[citation needed]

"Powerful and Prosperous Nation"[citation needed]

Anthem:

"Aegukka"

Korean: , The Patriotic Song

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 Area controlled by the Democratic People's Republic of Korea shown in
green

Capital Pyongyang
and largest city 392N 12545E

Official languages Korean[1]

Official script Chosn'gl[2]

Demonym North Korean

Korean

Government Unitary one-partyrepublic[3]

Eternal leaders of Juche Korea Kim Il-sung and Kim Jong-il

Supreme Leader [4]
Kim Jong-un[n 1]
Chairman of the Kim Yong-nam[n 2]
Assembly Presidium
Director of General Political Bureau Hwang Pyong-so
Premier Pak Pong-ju
Vice Chairman of Policy Bureau Choe Ryong-hae

Legislature Supreme People's Assembly

Formation
First Dynasty Before 194 BC
Three Kingdoms 18 BC
North-South Kingdoms 698
Unitary dynasties 918
Annexation by Japan 29 August 1910
Liberation/Independence 15 August 1945
 from Japan
Provisional People's Committee for 8 February 1946
North Koreaestablished
Foundation of DPRK 9 September 1948
Chinese withdrawal October 1958
Juche ideology implemented 27 December 1972
Current constitution 29 June 2016

Area
Total 120,540 km2(46,540 sq mi)
(98th)
Water (%) 4.87

Population
2015 estimate 25,155,317[5](48th)
2008 census 24,052,231[6]
Density 198.3/km2(513.6/sq mi)
(63rd)

GDP (PPP) 2014 estimate

Total $40 billion[7]
Per capita $1,800[8]

GDP (nominal) 2015 estimate

Total $25 billion[9][10]
Per capita $1,000[10]

HDI (1995) 0.766[11]

high 75th

Currency North Korean won()

(KPW)

Time zone Pyongyang Time[12]

(UTC+8:30)

Date format
yy, yyyy mm
dd

yy,
yyyy/mm/dd (AD1911 / AD)

Drives on the right

 Calling code +850

ISO 3166 code KP

Internet TLD .kp

Democratic People's Republic of Korea

Chosn'gl

Hancha

McCuneReischauer Chosn Minjujui Inmin Konghwaguk

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North Korea ( listen), officially the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK listen), is a
country in East Asiaconstituting the northern part of the Korean Peninsula. Pyongyang is the nation's
capital and largest city. To the north and northwest the country is bordered by China and by
Russia along the Amnok (known as the Yalu in China) and Tumen rivers;[13] it is bordered to the south
by South Korea, with the heavily fortified Korean Demilitarized Zone (DMZ) separating the two.
However, the territory is wholly claimed by the Republic of Korea according to the constitution. [14]
In 1910, Korea was annexed by the Empire of Japan. After the Japanese surrender at the end
of World War II in 1945, Korea was divided into two zones along the 38th parallel by the United
States and the Soviet Union, with the north occupied by the Sovietsand the south by the Americans.
Negotiations on reunification failed, and in 1948, separate governments were formed: the socialist
Democratic People's Republic of Korea in the north, and the capitalist Republic of Korea in the
south. An invasion initiated by North Korea led to the Korean War (19501953). The Korean
Armistice Agreement brought about a ceasefire, but no peace treaty was signed. [15]
North Korea officially describes itself as a self-reliant socialist state[16] and formally holds elections.
Critics regard it as a totalitarian dictatorship. Various media outlets have called it Stalinist,
[25]
particularly noting the elaborate cult of personality around Kim Il-sung and his family. International
organizations have assessed that human rights violations in North Korea have no parallel in the
contemporary world.[26][27][28] The Workers' Party of Korea (WPK), led by a member of the ruling family,
[29]
holds power in the state and leads the Democratic Front for the Reunification of the Fatherland of
which all political officers are required to be members. [30]