The following outline is provided as an overview of and topical guide to North Korea:
North Korea is a sovereign country located on the northern half of the Korean Peninsula in East Asia.[1] To the south, separated by the Korean Demilitarized Zone, lies South Korea, with which it formed one nation until division following World War II. At its northern Amnok River border are China and, separated by the Tumen River in the extreme north-east, Russia. The capital of North Korea is the city of Pyongyang.
North Korea is widely considered to be a Stalinist dictatorship.[2][3][4][5][6][7] The country's government styles itself as following the Juche ideology of self-reliance, developed by Kim Il Sung, the country's former leader. The current leader is Kim Jong Un, the late president Kim Il Sung's grandson and son of deceased leader Kim Jong Il. Relations are strongest with other officially socialist states: Cuba, Vietnam, Laos, and China, as well as with Russia, Cambodia, and Myanmar. Following a major famine in the early 1990s, due partly to the collapse of the Soviet Union (previously a major economic partner), leader Kim Jong Il instigated the "Military-First" policy in 1995, increasing economic concentration and support for the military.
North Korea's culture is officially promoted and heavily controlled by the government. The Arirang Festivals or "Mass Games" are government-organized events glorifying the regime, involving over 100,000 performers.
General reference
edit- Pronunciation:
- Common English country name: North Korea
- Official English country name: The Democratic People's Republic of Korea
- Common endonym(s): 조선 (Chosŏn), 북조선 (Bukchosŏn)
- Official endonym(s): 조선민주주의인민공화국 (Chosŏn Minjujuŭi Inmin Konghwaguk)
- Adjectival(s): North Korean
- Demonym(s): Korean, North Korean
- Etymology: Name of North Korea
- ISO country codes: KP, PRK, 408
- ISO region codes: See ISO 3166-2:KP
- Internet country code top-level domain: .kp
- Time in North Korea
- International rankings of North Korea
Geography of North Korea
edit- North Korea is: a country
- Location:
- Northern Hemisphere and Eastern Hemisphere
- Eurasia
- Time zone: Pyongyang Time (UTC+09:00)
- Extreme points of North Korea
- High: Paektu-san 2,744 m (9,003 ft)
- Low: Sea of Japan and Yellow Sea 0 m
- Land boundaries: 1,673 km (1,040 mi)
- China 1,416 km (880 mi)
- South Korea 238 km (148 mi)
- Russia 19 km (12 mi)
- Coastline: 2,495 km (1,550 mi)
- Population of North Korea: 23,790,000 - 55th most populous country
- Area of North Korea: 120,540 km2 (46,540 sq mi)
- Atlas of North Korea
Environment of North Korea
edit- Climate of North Korea
- Environment of North Korea
- Climate change in North Korea
- Wildlife of North Korea
- Flora of North Korea
- Fauna of North Korea
Natural geographic features of North Korea
edit- Natural monuments of North Korea
- Islands of North Korea
- Lakes of North Korea
- Mountains of North Korea
- Rivers of North Korea
- Valleys of North Korea
- List of World Heritage Sites in North Korea
Regions of North Korea
editRegions of North Korea
Ecoregions of North Korea
editAdministrative divisions of North Korea
editAdministrative divisions of North Korea
Provinces of North Korea
editProvinces
Special Administrative Regions
Directly governed cities
|
|
Second-level administrative districts of North Korea, by province
editPyongyang Directly Governed City
editPyongyang Directly Governed City
- 19 wards (guyok):
- 2counties (kun):
- 1 neighbourhood
Rason Special City
editRason Special City
Chagang Province
edit- 3 cities (si):
- 15 counties (kun):
North Hamgyŏng Province
edit- 3 cities (si):
- 12 counties (kun):
South Hamgyŏng Province
edit- 4 cities (si):
- 1 district (ku): Sudong
- 1 area (chigu): Kumho (North Korea)
- 15 counties (kun):
North Hwanghae Province
edit- 3 cities (si):
- Sariwon
- Kaesong (City with special status / Kaesong Industrial Region)
- Songrim
- 19 counties (kun): Changpung County
South Hwanghae Province
edit- 1 city (si): Haeju
- 19 counties (kun):
Kangwon Province
editKangwon Province (North Korea)
- 2 cities (si):
- 1 special administrative region: Mount Kumgang Tourist Region
- 15 counties (kun):
North P'yŏngan Province
edit- 3 cities (si):
- 22 counties (kun):
- Changsong County
- Cholsan County
- Chonma County
- Hyangsan County
- Kujang County
- Kwaksan County
- Nyongbyon County
- Pakchon County
- Pihyon County
- Pyoktong County
- Ryongchon County
- Sakchu County
- Sindo County
- Sonchon County
- Taechon County
- Taegwan County
- Tongchang County
- Tongrim County
- Uiju County
- Unjon County
- Unsan County
- Yomju County
South P'yŏngan Province
edit- 6 cities (si):
- 1 district (ku): Chongnam
- 2 districts (chigu):
- 16 counties (kun):
Ryanggang Province
edit- 1 city (si): Hyesan
- 11 counties (kun):
Municipalities of North Korea
editMunicipalities of North Korea
- Capital of North Korea: Pyongyang
- Cities of North Korea
Demography of North Korea
editGovernment and politics of North Korea
edit- Form of government:Unitary one-party socialist republic under a totalitarian hereditary dictatorship
- Capital of North Korea: Pyongyang
- North Korean abductions of Japanese citizens
- North Korean abductions of South Koreans
- Corruption in North Korea
- North Korean defectors
- Elections in North Korea
- 1948 North Korean parliamentary election
- 1957 North Korean parliamentary election
- 1962 North Korean parliamentary election
- 1967 North Korean parliamentary election
- 1972 North Korean parliamentary election
- 1977 North Korean parliamentary election
- 1982 North Korean parliamentary election
- 1986 North Korean parliamentary election
- 1990 North Korean parliamentary election
- 1998 North Korean parliamentary election
- 2003 North Korean parliamentary election
- 2009 North Korean parliamentary election
- 2014 North Korean parliamentary election
- 2019 North Korean parliamentary election
- North Korea's illicit activities
- Mass surveillance in North Korea
- Political parties in North Korea
- Propaganda in North Korea
Branches of the government of North Korea
editExecutive branch of the government of North Korea
edit- Head of state: Chairman of the State Affairs Commission
- Head of government: Premier of North Korea
- Residences of North Korean leaders
- North Korean leaders' trains
- Cabinet of North Korea
- Departments of the government of North Korea
Legislative branch of the government of North Korea
editJudicial branch of the government of North Korea
editForeign relations of North Korea
editForeign relations of North Korea
- Diplomatic missions in North Korea
- Diplomatic missions of North Korea
- North Korea–South Korea relations
- Australia–North Korea relations
- Botswana–North Korea relations
- Brazil–North Korea relations
- Burkina Faso–North Korea relations
- Burundi–North Korea relations
- Cambodia–North Korea relations
- Canada–North Korea relations
- Central African Republic–North Korea relations
- China–North Korea relations
- Comoros–North Korea relations
- Denmark–North Korea relations
- Equatorial Guinea–North Korea relations
- Foreign relations of North Korea
- France–North Korea relations
- Germany–North Korea relations
- Grenada–North Korea relations
- Guinea-Bissau–North Korea relations
- Hong Kong–North Korea relations
- Hungary–North Korea relations
- Iceland–North Korea relations
- India–North Korea relations
- Indonesia–North Korea relations
- Iran–North Korea relations
- Israel–North Korea relations
- Italy–North Korea relations
- Japan–North Korea relations
- Kenya–North Korea relations
- Malaysia–North Korea relations
- Mauritania–North Korea relations
- Mongolia–North Korea relations
- Namibia–North Korea relations
- New Zealand–North Korea relations
- North Korea–Norway relations
- North Korea–Pakistan relations
- North Korea–Palestine relations
- North Korea–Philippines relations
- North Korea–Poland relations
- North Korea–Russia relations
- North Korea–Rwanda relations
- North Korea–Serbia relations
- North Korea–Seychelles relations
- North Korea–Singapore relations
- North Korea–Somalia relations
- North Korea–Tanzania relations
- North Korea–Togo relations
- North Korea–United Kingdom relations
- North Korea–United States relations
- North Korea–Vietnam relations
- The Gambia–North Korea relations
International organization membership
editThe Democratic People's Republic of Korea is a member of:[1]
North Korea is one of only seven U.N. members which is not a member of the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons.
Law and order in North Korea
edit- Cannabis in North Korea
- Capital punishment in North Korea
- Citizenship in North Korea
- Constitution of North Korea
- Copyright law of North Korea
- Crime in North Korea
- Human rights in North Korea
- Taxation in North Korea
- Law enforcement in North Korea
- Visa policy of North Korea
Military of North Korea
edit- Command
- Forces
- Military history of North Korea
- Military ranks of North Korea
Local government in North Korea
editLocal government in North Korea
- 1946 North Korean local elections
- 1947 North Korean local elections
- 1949 North Korean local elections
- 1956 North Korean local elections
- 1959 North Korean local elections
- 1963 North Korean local elections
- 1967 North Korean local elections
- 1972 North Korean local elections
- 1975 North Korean local elections
- 1977 North Korean local elections
- 1979 North Korean local elections
- 1981 North Korean local elections
- 1983 North Korean local elections
- 1985 North Korean local elections
- 1987 North Korean local elections
- 1989 North Korean local elections
- 1991 North Korean local elections
- 1993 North Korean local elections
- 1999 North Korean local elections
- 2003 North Korean local elections
- 2007 North Korean local elections
- 2011 North Korean local elections
- 2015 North Korean local elections
- 2019 North Korean local elections
History of North Korea
editHistory of North Korea, by period
edit- History of Korea
- Korea under Japanese rule – Japan endeavored to integrate Korea into its empire, exploiting its resources and its people
- Surrender of Japan – marked the end of World War II, and the end of Japanese occupation of Korea
- Division of Korea – at the end of World War II, the Soviets and Americans occupied Korea, dividing the region at the 38th parallel. Two governments emerged, one in the North, and another in the South, both claiming sovereignty over the whole of Korea. This led to the...
- Kim dynasty
- North Korean cult of personality
- Kim Il Sung (ruled from 1948 to 1994)
- Korean conflict – conflict that began with the division of Korea and continues to the present day
- Korean War – war that began when North Korea invaded South Korea.
- Korean Armistice Agreement – document that ended the Korean War. However, no peace treaty followed, so North and South Korea are technically still at war.
- Korean Demilitarized Zone (DMZ) – strip of land running across the Korean Peninsula. It was established at the end of the Korean War to serve as a buffer zone between North and South Korea.
- Korean War POWs detained in North Korea
- Korean DMZ Conflict (1966–69)
- Death and state funeral of Kim Il Sung
- Korean War – war that began when North Korea invaded South Korea.
- Kim Jong Il (ruled from 1994 to 2011)
- Kim Jong Un (ruled from 2011 to present)
History of North Korea, by year
editList of years in North Korea
1948
1949
1950
1951
1952
1953
1954
1955
1956
1957
1958
1959
1960
1961
1962
1963
1964
1965
1966
1967
1968
1969
1970
1971
1972
1973
1974
1975
1976
1977
1978
1979
1980
1981
1982
1983
1984
1985
1986
1987
1988
1989
1990
1991
1992
1993
1994
1995
1996
1997
1998
1999
2000
2001
2002
2003
2004
2005
2006
2007
2008
2009
2010
2011
2012
2013
2014
2015
2016
History of Korea, by region
editHistory of Korea, by subject
edit- North Korea flooding
- Massacres in North Korea
- Military history of North Korea
- Historical military units
- 2nd Division (North Korea)
- 4th Division (North Korea)
- 5th Division (North Korea)
- 8th Division (North Korea)
- 9th Division (North Korea)
- 10th Division (North Korea)
- 12th Division (North Korea)
- 13th Division (North Korea)
- 15th Division (North Korea)
- 18th Division (North Korea)
- 19th Division (North Korea)
- 27th Division (North Korea)
- 43rd Division (North Korea)
- 25th Infantry Brigade (North Korea)
- 766th Independent Infantry Regiment (North Korea)
- 78th Independent Infantry Regiment (North Korea)
- North Korea and weapons of mass destruction
- Timeline of the North Korean nuclear program
- Missile tests
- Nuclear tests
- 2006 (reactions)
- 2009 (reactions)
- 2013 (reactions)
- January 2016 (reactions)
- Timeline of the North Korean nuclear program
- Historical military units
Culture of North Korea
edit- Architecture of North Korea
- Cuisine of North Korea
- Cultural assets of North Korea
- Languages of North Korea
- Media in North Korea
- National symbols of North Korea
- Prostitution in North Korea
- Public holidays in North Korea
- Religion in North Korea
- List of museums in North Korea
- List of World Heritage Sites in North Korea
Art in North Korea
edit- Art in North Korea
- Cinema of North Korea
- Literature of North Korea
- Music of North Korea
- * Smoking in North Korea
- North Korean films
- North Korean literature
- List of North Korean actors
- List of North Korean films
- List of North Korean flags
- List of North Korean football champions
- List of North Korean musicians
- List of North Korean operas
- List of North Korean records in athletics
- List of North Korean television series
- Television in North Korea
- Theatre in North Korea
People of North Korea
editPeople of North Korea
- Koreans
- North Korean diaspora
- Ethnic groups in North Korea
- Women in North Korea
Sports in North Korea
edit- Football in North Korea
- North Korea at the FIFA World Cup
- North Korea national football team
- North Korea national under-17 football team
- North Korea national under-20 football team
- North Korea national under-23 football team
- North Korea women's national football team
- North Korea women's national under-17 football team
- North Korea women's national under-20 football team
- 2010 North Korea national football team results
- 2011 North Korea national football team results
- 2012 North Korea national football team results
- 2009 North Korea national football team results
- List of football clubs in North Korea
- List of football stadiums in North Korea
- North Korea–South Korea football rivalry
- Ice hockey in North Korea
- North Korea at the Asian Games
- North Korea at the 1974 Asian Games
- North Korea at the 1982 Asian Games
- North Korea at the 1998 Asian Games
- North Korea at the 2002 Asian Games
- North Korea at the 2006 Asian Games
- North Korea at the 2007 Asian Winter Games
- North Korea at the 2009 Asian Indoor Games
- North Korea at the 2010 Asian Games
- North Korea at the 2011 Asian Winter Games
- North Korea at the 2014 Asian Games
- North Korea at the Olympics
- North Korea at the 1964 Winter Olympics
- North Korea at the 1972 Summer Olympics
- North Korea at the 1972 Winter Olympics
- North Korea at the 1976 Summer Olympics
- North Korea at the 1980 Summer Olympics
- North Korea at the 1984 Winter Olympics
- North Korea at the 1988 Winter Olympics
- North Korea at the 1992 Summer Olympics
- North Korea at the 1992 Winter Olympics
- North Korea at the 1996 Summer Olympics
- North Korea at the 1998 Winter Olympics
- North Korea at the 2000 Summer Olympics
- North Korea at the 2004 Summer Olympics
- North Korea at the 2006 Winter Olympics
- North Korea at the 2008 Summer Olympics
- North Korea at the 2010 Winter Olympics
- North Korea at the 2012 Summer Olympics
- North Korea at the 2016 Summer Olympics
- North Korea at the Paralympics
- North Korea at the 2009 East Asian Games
- North Korea at the 2009 World Championships in Athletics
- North Korea at the 2010 Summer Youth Olympics
- North Korea at the 2011 World Aquatics Championships
- North Korea at the 2013 World Aquatics Championships
- North Korea at the 2015 World Aquatics Championships
- North Korea at the 2013 World Championships in Athletics
- North Korea at the 2014 Summer Youth Olympics
- North Korea at the 2015 World Championships in Athletics
- Volleyball in North Korea
- North Korea national amateur boxing athletes
- North Korea national baseball team
- North Korea national basketball team
- North Korea national under-17 basketball team
- North Korea women's national basketball team
- North Korea women's national handball team
- North Korea women's national softball team
- North Korea women's national under-19 basketball team
- North Korean records in Olympic weightlifting
- North Korean Championship (ice hockey)
- North Korean Figure Skating Championships
Economy and infrastructure of North Korea
edit- Economic rank, by nominal GDP (2007): 155th (one hundred and fifty fifth)
- Agriculture in North Korea
- Banking in North Korea
- Companies of North Korea
- Currency of North Korea: Won
- Defense industry of North Korea
- Energy in North Korea
- Health care in North Korea
- Mining in North Korea
- Poverty in North Korea
- Shadow economy of North Korea
- Taxation in North Korea
- Tourism in North Korea
- List of amusement parks in North Korea
Communications in North Korea
editTransport in North Korea
edit- List of highway airstrips in North Korea
- Airports in North Korea
- Rail transport in North Korea
- Vehicular transport in North Korea
Education in North Korea
editHealth in North Korea
editBibliographies
editSee also
edit- List of international rankings
- Member state of the United Nations
- Outline of Asia
- Outline of geography
- Outline of South Korea
- 2008 New York Philharmonic visit to North Korea
- 2009 imprisonment of American journalists by North Korea
- Active North Korean ships
- Ambassadors from China to North Korea
- Ambassadors of Russia to North Korea
- Ambassadors of the United Kingdom to North Korea
- Australian Ambassadors to North Korea
- Border incidents involving North Korea
- Diplomatic missions of North Korea
- Flag bearers for North Korea at the Olympics
- Foreign nationals detained in North Korea
- Heads of state of North Korea
- Hotels in North Korea
- Leaders of North Korea
- Media coverage of North Korea
- North Korean merchant ships
- North Korean occupation of South Korea, June to September, 1950
- North Korean support for Iran during the Iran–Iraq war
- North Korean websites banned in South Korea
- Prime Ministers of North Korea
- United Nations Security Council resolutions concerning North Korea
- United States Special Representative for North Korea Policy
- International Coalition to Stop Crimes Against Humanity in North Korea
- Iran North Korea Syria Nonproliferation Act
- Japan–North Korea Pyongyang Declaration
- National Treasure (North Korea)
- North Hamgyeong Province (Republic of Korea)
- North Pyeongan Province (Republic of Korea)
- North–South differences in the Korean language
- Order of Friendship (North Korea)
- Orders and medals of North Korea
- U.S. Committee for Human Rights in North Korea
- North Korea Sanctions Enforcement Act of 2013
- North Korean Human Rights Act of 2004
- North Korean studies
References
edit- ^ a b "North Korea". The World Factbook. United States Central Intelligence Agency. July 2, 2009. Retrieved July 23, 2009.
- ^ Spencer, Richard (2007-08-28). "North Korea power struggle looms". The Telegraph (online version of UK national newspaper). London. Archived from the original on 2007-09-12. Retrieved 2007-10-31.
A power struggle to succeed Kim Jong-il as leader of North Korea's Stalinist dictatorship may be looming after his eldest son was reported to have returned from semi-voluntary exile.
- ^ Brooke, James (2003-10-02). "North Korea Says It Is Using Plutonium to Make A-Bombs". The New York Times (online version of New York, United States newspaper). Retrieved 2007-10-31.
North Korea, run by a Stalinist dictatorship for almost six decades, is largely closed to foreign reporters and it is impossible to independently check today's claims.
- ^ Parry, Richard Lloyd (2007-09-05). "North Korea's nuclear 'deal' leaves Japan feeling nervous". The Times (online version of UK's national newspaper of record). London. Archived from the original on July 26, 2008. Retrieved 2007-10-31.
The US Government contradicted earlier North Korean claims that it had agreed to remove the Stalinist dictatorship's designation as a terrorist state and to lift economic sanctions, as part of talks aimed at disarming Pyongyang of its nuclear weapons.
- ^ Walsh, Lynn (2003-02-08). "The Korean crisis". CWI online: Socialism Today, February 2003 edition, journal of the Socialist Party, CWI England and Wales. socialistworld.net, website of the committee for a worker’s international. Archived from the original on 2007-12-03. Retrieved 2007-10-31.
Kim Jong-il's regime needs economic concessions to avoid collapse, and just as crucially needs an end to the strategic siege imposed by the US since the end of the Korean war (1950-53). Pyongyang's nuclear brinkmanship, though potentially dangerous, is driven by fear rather than by militaristic ambition. The rotten Stalinist dictatorship faces the prospect of an implosion. Since the collapse of the Soviet Union, which deprived North Korea of vital economic support, the regime has consistently attempted to secure from the US a non-aggression pact, recognition of its sovereignty, and economic assistance. The US's equally consistent refusal to enter into direct negotiations with North Korea, effectively ruling out a peace treaty to formally close the 1950-53 Korean war, has encouraged the regime to resort to nuclear blackmail.
- ^ Oakley, Corey (October 2006). "US is threat to peace not North Korea". Edition 109 - October–November 2006. Socialist Alternative website in Australia. Retrieved 2007-10-31.
In this context, the constant attempts by the Western press to paint Kim Jong Il as simply a raving lunatic look, well, mad. There is no denying that the regime he presides over is a nasty Stalinist dictatorship that brutally oppresses its own population. But in the face of constant threats from the US, Pyongyang's actions have a definite rationality from the regime's point of view.
- ^ Baruma, Ian (2008-03-13). "Leader Article: Let The Music Play On". The Times of India. Archived from the original on 2011-08-11. Retrieved 2008-03-27.
North Korea, officially known as the Democratic People's Republic of Korea, is one of the world's most oppressive, closed, and vicious dictatorships. It is perhaps the last living example of pure totalitarianism — control of the state over every aspect of human life. Is such a place the right venue for a western orchestra? Can one imagine the New York Philharmonic, which performed to great acclaim in Pyongyang, entertaining Stalin or Hitler?
External links
editWikimedia Atlas of North Korea
- Official Website of the DPR Korea
- Official Website of the DPR Korea in Switzerland
- North Korea Uncovered Archived 2008-12-22 at the Wayback Machine, (North Korea Google Earth) Comprehensive mapping on Google Earth of the DPRK's political and economic infrastructure, including railways, hotels, factories, military facilities, tourist destinations, cultural facilities, ports, communications, and electricity grid.
- KCNA Archived 2004-10-06 at the Wayback Machine - Korean Central News Agency, the official news agency of the DPRK
- Naenara[permanent dead link ] - ("My country") DPRK's Official Web Portal run by Korea Computer Company