North Korea

Background

The earliest documented kingdom on the Korean Peninsula, known as Choson, is believed to have existed around 2300 B.C. In the following centuries, three prominent kingdoms were formed on the Peninsula: Kogoryo, Paekche, and Silla. By the 5th century A.D., Kogoryo had risen to dominance, exerting control over a significant portion of the Peninsula and parts of Manchuria (present-day northeast China). Nonetheless, Silla forged an alliance with the Chinese, leading to the establishment of the first unified Korean state in 688. After Silla's downfall in the 9th century, Korea was unified under the Koryo (Goryeo; 918-1392) and Chosen (Joseon; 1392-1910) dynasties. During the latter half of the 19th century and the early 20th century, Korea became the focal point of intense imperial competition among the Chinese (its historical benefactor), Japanese, and Russian empires. Following the Sino-Japanese War (1894-95) and the Russo-Japanese War (1904-05), Korea fell under the occupation of Imperial Japan, which formally annexed the entire peninsula in 1910. After World War II, the northern region came under the control of Soviet-supported communism.

In 1948, North Korea, officially designated as the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK), was established with KIM Il Sung as its president. He consolidated authority and established an autocratic one-party regime under the Korean Worker's Party (KWP). North Korea's attempt to conquer UN-supported South Korea (officially the Republic of Korea or ROK) during the Korean War (1950-53) was unsuccessful, resulting in a demilitarized zone that divided the two nations. KIM's dictatorial governance was characterized by strict regulation of North Korean citizens and the portrayal of the United States as the primary threat to the nation’s political and social framework. Furthermore, he directed the nation's economic, military, and political strategies toward the central aim of achieving unification of Korea under Pyongyang's dominance. North Korea proclaimed a fundamental ideology of juche ("self-reliance") to mitigate outside influence, while still heavily depending on China and the Soviet Union for economic assistance. KIM Il Sung’s son, KIM Jong Il, was officially named as his successor in 1980 and gradually took on a significant political and managerial role until his father's death in 1994. During KIM Jong Il's rule, North Korea advanced its nuclear weapons and ballistic missile programs. KIM Jong Un was introduced as his father's successor in 2010, and after KIM Jong Il's passing in 2011, KIM Jong Un swiftly took control, assuming the highest political and military positions in the regime. 

Following the cessation of Soviet aid in 1991, North Korea encountered severe economic challenges that intensified decades of mismanagement and poor resource allocation. Since the mid-1990s, the nation has been plagued by persistent food shortages and economic stagnation. In recent years, while domestic agricultural output has seen some improvement, it still fails to meet the food needs of its populace. Beginning in 2002, North Korea started to permit semi-private markets, but it has made limited additional attempts to enhance the general standard of living. Recent economic development initiatives in the 2010s did not fulfill government-set objectives for crucial industrial sectors, food production, or overall economic results. At the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, North Korea imposed a nationwide lockdown that significantly constrained its economy and international interactions. Since that time, KIM has frequently voiced concerns regarding the regime's economic shortcomings and food issues; however, in 2021, he pledged to uphold "self-reliant" policies and renewed his focus on enhancing the regime's control over the economy.

As of 2024, despite gradually restoring cross-border trade with China, North Korea continued to be one of the world’s most isolated nations and one of Asia’s poorest. In 2024, Pyongyang declared the termination of all economic cooperation with South Korea. This decision followed earlier announcements regarding the cancellation of a 2018 military agreement with South Korea aimed at reducing tensions along their militarized border, effectively abandoning the long-standing goal of peaceful unification with South Korea, and designating the South as North Korea’s “principal enemy.” 

Area

Climate

The climate is temperate, featuring a concentration of rainfall during the summer months, and experiences long, harsh winters.

Terrain

The geography consists predominantly of hills and mountains interspersed with deep, narrow valleys, alongside extensive coastal plains in the west which become less continuous in the east.

Land use

Location

Located in Eastern Asia, it encompasses the northern portion of the Korean Peninsula, adjacent to the Korea Bay and the Sea of Japan, lying between China and South Korea.

Coastline

2,495 km

Elevation

Irrigated land

14,600 sq km (2012)

Map references

Asia

Land boundaries

Maritime claims

Natural hazards

Late spring often brings droughts, which can be succeeded by significant flooding; typhoons may also occur occasionally in early autumn.

volcanism: The historically active P'aektu-san (2,744 m), also referred to as Baitoushan, Baegdu, or Changbaishan, is situated along the Chinese border.

Geography - note

The region holds a strategically significant position, bordering China, South Korea, and Russia, with a mountainous interior that remains isolated and sparsely populated.

Natural resources

Natural resources include coal, iron ore, limestone, magnesite, graphite, copper, zinc, lead, precious metals, and hydropower.

Area - comparative

Its area is slightly larger than that of Virginia, yet somewhat smaller than Mississippi.

Geographic coordinates

40 00 N, 127 00 E

Population distribution

The population is mainly found in the plains and lowland areas, while the mountainous provinces near the Chinese border have the lowest population density; the greatest population densities are observed in the western provinces, especially within the municipal district of Pyongyang, as well as in the eastern regions around Hungnam and Wonsan.

Languages

Religions

historically influenced by Buddhism and Confucianism, alongside some Christian elements and the syncretic Chondogyo (Religion of the Heavenly Way)

Sex ratio

Birth rate

12.99 births/1,000 population (2025 est.)

Death rate

9.01 deaths/1,000 population (2025 est.)

Median age

Population

Nationality

Tobacco use

Urbanization

Age structure

Ethnic groups

ethnically uniform; comprises a minor Chinese population and a handful of ethnic Japanese

Child marriage

Dependency ratios

Physician density

3.63 physicians/1,000 population (2017)

Net migration rate

-0.04 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2025 est.)

Total fertility rate

1.8 children born/woman (2025 est.)

Drinking water source

Education expenditure

14.6% national budget (2025 est.)

Infant mortality rate

Population growth rate

0.4% (2025 est.)

Gross reproduction rate

0.87 (2025 est.)

Population distribution

the populace is primarily located in the plains and low-lying areas; the regions with the fewest inhabitants are the mountainous provinces bordering China; the highest population densities are found in the western provinces, especially in the municipal area of Pyongyang, as well as in the eastern locales of Hungnam and Wonsan

Life expectancy at birth

Maternal mortality ratio

67 deaths/100,000 live births (2023 est.)

Sanitation facility access

Alcohol consumption per capita

Major urban areas - population

3.158 million PYONGYANG (capital) (2023)

Obesity - adult prevalence rate

6.8% (2016)

Currently married women (ages 15-49)

68.2% (2017 est.)

Children under the age of 5 years underweight

9.3% (2017 est.)

School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education)

Climate

characterized by a temperate climate, where precipitation is primarily during the summer months; winters are lengthy and harsh

Geoparks

Land use

Urbanization

Environmental issues

contamination of water sources; insufficient drinking water supply; loss of forest cover; erosion and degradation of soil

Total water withdrawal

Carbon dioxide emissions

Particulate matter emissions

41.8 micrograms per cubic meter (2019 est.)

Total renewable water resources

77.15 billion cubic meters (2022 est.)

International environmental agreements

Flag

description: features three horizontal stripes of blue (top), red (center, three times the width), and blue; the red stripe is bordered by white; situated on the left of the red band is a white circle containing a red five-pointed star

meaning: the red band signifies revolutionary heritage, white symbolizes purity, strength, and dignity; blue represents sovereignty, peace, and friendship; the red star denotes socialism

Capital

Suffrage

17 years of age; universal and compulsory

Citizenship

Constitution

Country name

Independence

15 August 1945 (from Japan)

Legal system

legal system based on civil law inspired by the Prussian model; shaped by Japanese traditions and Communist legal principles

Government type

dictatorial single-party communist regime

Judicial branch

Executive branch

National holiday

Establishment of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK), 9 September (1948)

National color(s)

red, white, blue

National heritage

Political parties

major parties:
Korean Workers' Party or KWP (officially known as Workers' Party of Korea)
General Association of Korean Residents in Japan (Chongryon; under KWP influence)
minor parties:
Chondoist Chongu Party (under KWP influence)
Social Democratic Party or KSDP (under KWP influence)

Legislative branch

National anthem(s)

National symbol(s)

red star, chollima (winged horse)

Administrative divisions

9 provinces (do, both singular and plural) and 4 special administrative cities (si, singular and plural)

provinces: Chagang, Hambuk (North Hamgyong), Hamnam (South Hamgyong), Hwangbuk (North Hwanghae), Hwangnam (South Hwanghae), Kangwon, P'yongbuk (North Pyongan), P'yongnam (South Pyongan), Ryanggang

special administrative cities: Kaesong, Nampo, P'yongyang, Rason

Diplomatic representation in the US

none

note: North Korea has a Permanent Mission to the UN in New York

Diplomatic representation from the US

International organization participation

ARF, FAO, G-77, ICAO, ICRM, IFAD, IFRCS, IHO, IMO, IMSO, IOC, IPU, ISO, ITSO, ITU, NAM, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNWTO, UPU, WFTU (NGOs), WHO, WIPO, WMO

International law organization participation

has not made a declaration regarding ICJ jurisdiction; not a party state to the ICCt

Industries

military goods; machinery production, electrical energy, chemical industry; extraction (coal, iron ore, limestone, magnesite, graphite, copper, zinc, lead, and precious metals), metalworking; textiles, food manufacturing; travel and tourism

Labor force

17.637 million (2024 est.)

Exchange rates

Economic overview

one of the final centrally planned economies; severely impacted by COVID-19, agricultural failures, international sanctions, and isolationist strategies; diminishing growth and trade, with a strong dependence on China; weak currency stability; issues with the integrity of economic data

Unemployment rate

Exports - partners

China 74%, Poland 3%, Senegal 3%, Angola 3%, Austria 3% (2023)

Imports - partners

China 97%, Togo 1%, Peru 1%, Gabon 1%, India 0% (2023)

Real GDP per capita

Agricultural products

maize, vegetables, rice, apples, cabbages, fruits, sweet potatoes, potatoes, beans, soybeans (2023)

Exports - commodities

synthetic hair, iron alloys, tungsten ore, electricity, automobiles (2023)

Imports - commodities

processed hair, plastic items, clothing, textiles, soybean oil (2023)

GDP (official exchange rate)

$16.447 billion (2023 est.)

Real GDP (purchasing power parity)

Youth unemployment rate (ages 15-24)

Coal

Petroleum

Electricity

Electricity access

Energy consumption per capita

Electricity generation sources

Broadcast media

there is a lack of independent media; radios and televisions are set to government channels; there are 4 television stations owned by the state; the Korean Central Broadcasting Station is operated by the Korean Workers' Party, while the state-controlled Voice of Korea provides an external broadcasting service; the government bans the reception of foreign broadcasts and employs jamming techniques (2019)

Internet country code

.kp

Telephones - fixed lines

Telephones - mobile cellular

Ports

Airports

81 (2025)

Railways

Heliports

8 (2025)

Merchant marine

Civil aircraft registration country code prefix

P

Military - note

The Korean People's Army (KPA) ranks among the largest military forces globally; established in 1948, the KPA is primarily tasked with national defense and safeguarding the Kim regime. It also plays a role in supporting domestic economic initiatives, including agricultural production and infrastructure development. North Korea perceives South Korea and the United States as its main external threats, while considering Russia its closest security ally.

Beyond the invasion of South Korea and the ensuing Korean War (1950-1953), North Korea engaged in various military and subversive operations against South Korea from the 1960s through the 1980s. These actions included confrontations along the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ), attempts to assassinate South Korean leaders, kidnappings, the bombing of an airliner, and a failed insurrection effort in 1968 involving over 100 commandos attempting to incite guerrilla warfare in the South. From the 1990s until 2010, North Korea lost two submarines and a semi-submersible vessel while trying to infiltrate the South (1996, 1998) and instigated several skirmishes in the Northwest Islands region along the disputed Northern Limit Line (NLL). These incidents included naval confrontations between patrol boats in 1999 and 2002, the sinking of a South Korean Navy corvette via torpedo in 2010, and the bombardment of a South Korean military post on Yeonpyeong Island, also that same year. Since 2010, minor incidents have continued to occur sporadically along the DMZ, where both the KPA and the South Korean military maintain significant troop deployments.

North Korea has a record of provocative military maneuvers and posturing that raises considerable concern within the international community, such as the proliferation of military-related materials, the development and testing of ballistic and cruise missiles, and weapons of mass destruction (WMD) initiatives, including nuclear device tests conducted in 2006, 2009, 2013, 2016, and 2017, as well as maintaining a substantial conventional armed force (2025).

Military deployments

estimated 10-12,000 Russia (2025)

Military expenditures

Defense spending is a top priority for the regime; from 2010 to 2020, military expenditures represented an estimated 20-30% of North Korea's annual GDP, with spending estimates ranging from $7 billion to $11 billion each year. In 2024, North Korea declared its intention to allocate nearly 16% of its state budget to defense. In the 2010s and 2020s, the country has increasingly resorted to illicit activities—including cybercrime—to fund its weapons of mass destruction and ballistic missile programs, aiming to circumvent U.S. and UN sanctions.

Military and security forces

Korean People's Army (KPA): KPA Ground Forces, KPA Navy, KPA Air Force and Air Defense Forces, KPA Strategic Forces (missile forces), KPA Special Forces (special operations forces); Security Guard Command (also known as Bodyguard Command); Military Security Command.

Ministry of Social Security (formerly Ministry of Public Security): Border Guard General Bureau, civil security forces; Ministry of State Security: internal security, investigations (2025).

Military service age and obligation

Mandatory military service is required for men aged 17 to 30 and women aged 17 to 23; the service commitment is reportedly up to 10 years for men and up to 7 years for women (2025).

Military equipment inventories and acquisitions

The KPA is outfitted with older weaponry sourced from China, Russia, and the former Soviet Union, along with certain domestically manufactured arms. North Korea produces a variety of military hardware, which includes armored vehicles, artillery, munitions, naval ships, and some advanced weapon systems, such as cruise and ballistic missiles; the majority are modifications or replicas of older equipment supplied by foreign sources (2025).

Military and security service personnel strengths

Estimates suggest that as many as 1.3 million personnel are active-duty members of the Korean People's Army (2025).

Trafficking in persons

Space launch site(s)

Sohae Satellite Launching Station (also known as Tongch'ang-dong Space Launch Center; located in North Pyongan province); Tonghae Satellite Launching Ground (situated in North Hamgyong province) (2025)

Space agency/agencies

National Aerospace Technology Administration (NATA; founded in 2013; renamed in 2023 from the National Aerospace Development Administration or NADA); State Space Development Bureau; Academy of National Defense Science; Ministry of People’s Armed Forces (2025)

Space program overview

The leader of North Korea has prioritized the enhancement of space capabilities, specifically in the realms of satellite launch vehicles (SLVs) and remote sensing satellites; produces satellites and rockets/SLVs; conducts independent rocket/SLV launches; the SLV initiative is perceived as closely linked to the nation's advancement of intercontinental ballistic missiles; enacted a national space law in 2013, which was amended in 2022 to permit the use of space for national defense purposes; has collaborated with Iran on space-related technologies and formalized a mutual defense treaty with Russia in 2024 that articulated the intent of both nations to "develop exchanges and joint research in science and technology, including space" (2025)

Key space-program milestones

1980s - initiated space program 

1998 - failed first attempt to place a satellite in orbit on a 3-stage Paektusan-1 satellite launch vehicle (SLV) 

2012 - successfully placed first satellite (Kwangmyŏngsŏng-3 or Bright Star-3) in orbit on Unha-3 SLV (satellite failed to operate)

2016 - second satellite (Kwangmyŏngsŏng-4) placed in orbit on Unha-3 SLV (reportedly a remote sensing (RS) satellite that also failed to operate)

2023 - placed a military RS satellite (Malligyong-1) in orbit on Chollima-1 SLV 

2024 - failed attempt to place a second military RS satellite in orbit on new type SLV