North Korea

North Korea, officially the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK), is a country in East Asia. It makes up the northern half of the Korean Peninsula and shares borders with China and Russia to the north, and South Korea to the south. The capital and largest city is Pyongyang.

The land has been home to people for thousands of years, with its first kingdom recorded in Chinese writings over 2,600 years ago. In 1945, after World War II, Korea was split into two zones along the 38th parallel, with the north occupied by the Soviet Union and the south by the United States. Separate governments formed in 1948, and a war broke out when North Korea invaded South Korea in 1950. Though a ceasefire ended the fighting in 1953, peace was never officially declared.

Today, North Korea is governed as a totalitarian hereditary dictatorship led by the Kim family. The country follows a policy that puts the military first, and it has its own nuclear weapons. Despite calling itself a communist and socialist state, outside observers say its elections are not fair, and many groups have criticized its human rights record.

Etymology

See also: Names of Korea

The name Korea was first written down in 1671 by a Dutch sailor named Hendrick Hamel. After Korea was split into two countries, North and South, they began using different names. North Korea calls itself the Democratic People's Republic of Korea. People in North Korea often just call their country "the Republic." In the rest of the world, people usually say "North Korea" to talk about this country, to tell it apart from South Korea. Both North and South Korea think they are the true government for all of Korea.

History

Main articles: History of Korea and History of North Korea

Korea's history begins with ancient myths and early kingdoms. According to tradition, the Gojoseon Kingdom was founded in 2333 BC by a god-king named Dangun. Over the centuries, Korea was ruled by different dynasties, including the Goryeo and Joseon dynasties. In 1910, Korea was annexed by Japan, beginning a period of colonial rule that lasted until the end of World War II.

After World War II, Korea was divided into two occupied zones: the Soviet Union controlled the north, and the United States controlled the south. This division led to the creation of two separate governments — North Korea and South Korea. In 1950, the Korean War broke out when North Korea invaded the South, leading to a conflict involving United Nations forces and later Chinese troops. The war ended in 1953 with an armistice, but no peace treaty was signed, leaving the two Koreas technically still at war.

The leaders of North Korea have been from the Kim family. Kim Il Sung led the country from its founding until his death in 1994. His son, Kim Jong Il, took over and led until his death in 2011. Today, Kim Jong Un leads North Korea, continuing policies of isolation and nuclear development. The country's history is marked by efforts to maintain independence and strength despite international challenges and internal difficulties.

Geography

Main articles: Geography of North Korea and Geology of North Korea

North Korea is located in the northern part of the Korean Peninsula, between 37° and 43°N latitude and 124° and 131°E longitude. It covers an area of 120,540 square kilometers. The country has many mountains, with Paektu Mountain being the highest at 2,744 meters above sea level. The Amnok (Yalu) River is the longest river, flowing for 790 kilometers.

North Korea has a humid continental climate. Winters are cold with snow, while summers are hot, humid, and rainy because of monsoon winds from the Pacific Ocean. Spring and autumn are shorter, transitional seasons between summer and winter.

Governance and politics

Main article: Politics of North Korea

North Korea is a highly centralized communist state led by the Kim family. The three supreme leaders of North Korea have all been members of this family, making the political system hereditary. Kim Jong Un, the current leader, heads all major governing structures, including the Workers' Party of Korea, the state, and the military.

The Workers' Party of Korea is the sole ruling party, with other parties existing only as subordinates. The party's highest organ is the party congress, which elects the General Secretary and the Central Committee. The Central Committee then elects several key bodies that assist in decision-making.

The Supreme People's Assembly is North Korea's highest state organ, formally holding unified power over the government. However, in practice, the State Affairs Commission and its president hold the most power, with the president able to make major decisions independently. The Cabinet handles executive and administrative functions, while the Supreme Court deals with judicial matters.

North Korea's official ideology is Kimilsungism–Kimjongilism, emphasizing self-reliance, military strength, and independence. The Kim family maintains a strong cult of personality, with landmarks and holidays dedicated to them. The country is divided into provinces and cities for administration.

North Korea has diplomatic relations with many countries, though it is often isolated. It has close ties with China and Russia and maintains a complex relationship with South Korea across the heavily fortified Korean Demilitarized Zone.

The Korean People's Army is one of the largest militaries in the world, including a significant special operations force and a nuclear arsenal. Despite limitations in equipment and resources, the military employs various asymmetric warfare tactics.

Economy

Main article: Economy of North Korea

North Korea has had a very closed and controlled economy since the 1940s. For many years, it followed a system similar to the Soviet Union, aiming for self-sufficiency. However, problems such as shortages of skilled workers, energy, and farmland made it hard to meet goals. By the 1980s, South Korea had surpassed North Korea in terms of wealth and income.

In the 1990s, the loss of trade partners and natural disasters caused big problems, including widespread famine. By 2000, help from other countries improved the situation, but North Korea still faces food shortages and low energy supplies. The government has tried reforms to allow some private ownership and market activities, but the economy remains mostly controlled by the state.

North Korea's economy is centered around industry, with nearly half of its wealth coming from sectors like machine building, military equipment, chemicals, and mining. The country also has significant reserves of iron ore and coal. Agriculture and tourism also play roles in the economy, though they have faced challenges in recent years.

Demographics

Main article: Demographics of North Korea

See also: Koreans and List of cities in North Korea

North Korea has a population of about 26 million people, and most of them share the same ethnic background. In the past, experts thought the population would grow larger, but this did not happen because of a serious lack of food in the 1990s. The government and groups from other countries worked to bring in more food, and conditions improved slowly. Today, health and nutrition for children are better than in many other countries in the area.

People in North Korea usually live in families that stay close together. Most people get married, and very few choose not to. The country has many schools, and most children finish secondary school. Learning is very important, but it also includes many lessons about the country’s ideas and leaders. The main language spoken is Korean, and there are some differences in how people in North and South Korea speak.

Culture

Main article: Culture of North Korea

See also: Culture of Korea

North Korean culture has developed its own unique identity, despite a strong historical influence from China. During Japanese rule from 1910 to 1945, Koreans were forced to adopt Japanese customs, language, and religion. After World War II, the country split, and North Korea formed its own distinct culture with little foreign influence. Art, music, and literature often focus on the revolutionary struggle and leadership, while traditional elements are carefully preserved.

Art in North Korea follows socialist realism, with paintings and sculptures often portraying leaders like Kim Il Sung, Kim Jong Il, and Kim Jong Un. The Mansudae Art Studio, founded in 1959, is a major center for creating paintings, murals, and monuments. Literature is controlled by the government and mostly serves political purposes, with works celebrating the nation's history and leaders. Music includes folk-based tunes, revolutionary songs, and orchestral pieces, with groups like the Moranbong Band being popular today.