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Korea, North flag

Korea, North

Capital:Pyongyang
Population:26.1M
Currency:North Korean Won (KPW)
Language:Korean
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Quick Look Factsheet

A multi-page overview of Korea, North.

Korea, North Factsheet

Customs and Culture

Cultural Attributes

One should be aware of the pervasive influence of self reliance on the Korean psyche. It impacts every aspect Korean culture, from politics to music. Reliance provides a reason for personal sacrifice, and it is what has convinced the people that they are better off than other nations.

North and South Koreans often use extreme modesty when speaking about themselves. Reluctance to accept high honors is the mark of a true Korean gentleman. Compliments are graciously denied. Success depends greatly on social contacts. Friends expect to rely on each other for just about anything. Koreans are quick to make friends and friendships are highly valued.

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Monument to the People's Will

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5 more cultural topics for members

Social Customs & Etiquette · Diet · Family · Dating Customs · Recreation

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Holidays

  • Founding of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK)

    9/9

    Independence

  • Hangul Day

    10/9

    Other

    Hangul Day - on this day in 1446, King Sejong the Great promulgated the Korean alphabet, hangul.

  • Christmas

    12/25

    Christmas

    Christmas day in North Korea is just like any other day. There is no Santa Claus, or Santa Haraboji, pronounced ‘Santa ha-ra-bo-jee’ in North Korea. Christmas Eve is celebrated by underground Christians only in their hearts. There are no Christmas gifts, no Christmas trees, no candy canes, and not one Christmas carol in North Korea. There are also no substitute festivities or any kind of holiday fanfare during the Christmas months. No one is allowed to put up a Christmas tree or sing a Christmas carol. There are no gifts exchanged and nowhere in North Korea will you see the picture of Santa Claus.

    If the North Korean regime discovers that a person is a believer in Christianity, the Christian can be tortured, made to go through a labor camp or publicly executed to discourage others.

Dates of Interest

  • Varies

    A traditional harvest festival celebrated on the 15th day of the 8th lunar month, involving family gatherings, feasts, and ancestral rites.

How do people greet each other in KoreaNorth?

Greetings and introductions are formal, with bowing being most common, though handshakes occur among men. The Korean language has different levels of formality, so greetings change depending on who is involved.

Do

  • Have younger or lower-status people bow until the other offers a handshake or returns the bow
  • When men shake hands, extend the right hand and support it at the wrist with the left hand to show deference, with the head slightly bowed
  • When women meet, extend both hands and grasp each other's hands
  • When greeting a superior, ask about their health and parents; with a subordinate, ask about spouse and children

Good to know

  • The most common greeting is "Anyong haseyo" ("Are you at peace?"), meaning "How are you?"
  • Use "Anyong" with children and "Anyong hashimnikka" for superiors — the different endings indicate levels of respect
  • Children always bow to adults and wave or bow among themselves

What are the dining customs in KoreaNorth?

Korean food is generally spicy, built around kimch'i and rice, with a favorite dish being naengmyon, a cold noodle dish. Use spoons for soup and chopsticks for everything else.

Do

  • Slurping soup and noodles is accepted and is a practical way to eat hot food quickly
  • Use a spoon for soup and chopsticks for everything else

Don’t

  • Don't eat with your fingers, as it is considered impolite
  • Don't eat while walking on the street, as it is considered ill-mannered and offensive

Good to know

  • Meals usually consist of spicy vegetables, soup, fish, and kimch'i
  • Conversation during meals is quite limited, except during lengthy dinner parties
  • Delicacies like pulkogi (marinated beef) and kalbi (short ribs) are less common than in the South due to lower economic conditions
  • Families rarely eat daily meals together; fathers often eat at workplace cafeterias

What is the visiting and hospitality etiquette in KoreaNorth?

Koreans do not commonly visit unannounced, and arranged social visits are infrequent, but hosts are very generous, offering guests the best the household has to offer. Showing respect for the family and state is of utmost importance during visits.

Do

  • Bring a gift for the hosts as a sign of respect — often fruit, a beverage, or something from your home region
  • Remove shoes and hats indoors; wear slippers if provided, otherwise socks
  • Pay particular attention to the host and respect his feelings
  • Give and receive gifts with both hands

Don’t

  • Don't visit unannounced
  • Don't expect a superior to visit a subordinate unless special business calls for it

Good to know

  • The gesture of giving a gift matters far more than its value
  • Guests are nearly always offered light refreshments such as a drink, fruit, crackers, cookies, or coffee
  • If there are many guests, age or status determines the best seat, the best cut of meat, and the largest drink

What should I wear in KoreaNorth?

Conservative dress is important in public, and traditional clothing is often worn for special occasions or holidays.

Do

  • Dress conservatively in public
  • Wear traditional clothing for special occasions — women often wear the two-piece, colorful hanbok, and men wear pants with a loose robe or jacket

Don’t

  • Don't go barefoot, as bare feet are inappropriate

Good to know

  • Clothing often depends on the event

What gestures and body language should I know in KoreaNorth?

Good posture shows respect, and physical touch is largely limited to friends of the same sex. Hands are generally not used much in conversation.

Do

  • Maintain good posture to show respect for the host or speaker
  • Remove hats in buildings and in the presence of an elder or superior
  • Give and receive gifts with both hands

Don’t

  • Don't sit in a relaxed manner, as it is considered an insult
  • Don't expose the soles of your feet to another person while sitting
  • Don't touch strangers or casual acquaintances, especially between opposite sexes
  • Don't look a superior directly in the eye

Good to know

  • Men holding hands or slinging an arm over a friend's shoulder is a normal expression of friendship

What is family life like in KoreaNorth?

The family remains important, but the government has redirected traditional devotion toward the larger society and state, promoting the slogan "love your family, love your state."

Good to know

  • Both parents usually work and children go to day care
  • Consumerism is discouraged in favor of austerity, though workers can earn supplies, benefits, and gifts from employers or the government
  • The government has set minimum marriage ages of 27 for men and 25 for women to allow for military service and other obligations

What do people do for recreation in KoreaNorth?

Koreans enjoy traditional sports such as tae-kwon-do and ssirum, a form of wrestling.

Good to know

  • Tae-kwon-do is a martial art that originated in Korea 2000 years ago as self-defense exercise
  • In ssirum, a competitor grasps the opponent's belt (satba) and tries to throw him to the ground; touching the ground above the knee loses the match

Last updated: 2026-07-12 · Sources: CountryReports

Photos of Korea, North

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Travel and Tourism

Travel Alert Status
Level 4: Do Not Travel
Currency
North Korean won (KPW)
Time Difference
UTC+9 (14 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time) time zone note: on 5 May 2018, North Korea reverted to UTC+9, the same time zone as South Korea
Climate
temperate with rainfall concentrated in summer
Airports
78
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Recipes

Featured Dish

Neng Kook (Cold Seaweed Soup)

Main Dish

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History

Historical Eras

  1. Ancient Kingdoms

    100 BCE – 935

    The Korean Peninsula was organized into the rival kingdoms of Koguryo, Paekche, and Shilla by the first century AD, with Koguryo dominating much of what is now North Korea and Manchuria. In 668 AD, the Shilla kingdom unified the peninsula under a single rule, blending Buddhist culture with a centralized aristocratic state. This era laid the linguistic, cultural, and ethnic foundations of Korean civilization.

  2. Koryo & Choson Dynasties

    935 – 1910

    The Koryo dynasty (935–1392), from which the Western name 'Korea' derives, succeeded Shilla and endured Mongol occupation from 1231 into the early 14th century. The Yi clan's Choson dynasty replaced Koryo in 1392 and governed for over five centuries, adopting Confucian statecraft and resisting major Japanese invasions in 1592 and 1597. Korea's isolation in the 19th century earned it the title 'Hermit Kingdom' before Japanese imperial ambitions ended Korean sovereignty.

  3. Japanese Colonial Rule

    1910 – 1945

    Japan annexed Korea in 1910 following victories in the Sino-Japanese and Russo-Japanese wars, establishing a colonial administration that suppressed Korean language, culture, and organized resistance. Tokyo exercised tight centralized control over the peninsula for 35 years, extracting resources and labor while systematically dismantling traditional Korean institutions. Japan's surrender in August 1945 ended colonial rule and immediately precipitated the division of Korea along the 38th parallel.

  4. Division & Korean War

    1945 – 1953

    Following World War II, the USSR occupied the north while the United States administered the south, and Cold War deadlock prevented reunification. The Democratic People's Republic of Korea was proclaimed in 1948 under Kim Il-sung, with Soviet troops withdrawing thereafter. The Korean War (1950–1953) devastated the peninsula and ended in an armistice that cemented the division, leaving the DPRK heavily militarized and ideologically hardened.

  5. Kim Il-sung Era

    1953 – 1994

    Kim Il-sung consolidated absolute power under the Juche ideology of self-reliance, directing rapid heavy industrialization through the 1960s while building one of the world's largest standing armies. The state enforced a cult of personality and rigid socialist command economy, increasingly isolating North Korea from the international community. Decades of mismanagement and resource diversion toward the military eroded living standards and made the country dependent on foreign food assistance.

  6. Kim Jong-il & Nuclear Crisis

    1994 – present

    Kim Jong-il assumed power following his father's death in 1994, presiding over a catastrophic famine triggered by flooding and economic collapse that killed hundreds of thousands. The regime pursued an aggressive nuclear weapons program, repudiating a 1994 non-proliferation agreement in 2002 and declaring itself a nuclear-armed state in 2005, alarming the international community. Despite a landmark inter-Korean summit in 2000, North Korea remained one of the world's most isolated and militarized states.

Overview

The Korean Peninsula was first populated by peoples of a Tungusic

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Timeline of Key Events

  1. 1231 – 1336

    Mongol Domination

    Mongol Domination.

  2. 1945

    Korea was liberated after nearly 40 years of Japanese colonial rule.

    Korea was liberated after nearly 40 years of Japanese colonial rule, but it soon faced the tragic division of the North and South along the 38th parallel.

  3. 1948

    Democratic People’s Republic of Korea proclaimed. Soviet troops withdraw.

    Democratic People’s Republic of Korea proclaimed. Soviet troops withdraw.

  4. 1950 – 1953

    Korean War.

    Korean War. South declares independence, sparking North Korean invasion.

  5. 1960

    Heavy industrial growth.

    Heavy industrial growth.

  6. 1991

    North and South Korea join the United Nations.

    North and South Korea join the United Nations.

  7. 1992

    North Korea agrees to allow inspections by International Atomic Energy Agency.

    North Korea agrees to allow inspections by International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), but over next two years refuses access to sites of suspected nuclear weapons production.

View full timeline (17 events)
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Interesting Facts

  • North Korea's capital, Pyongyang was completely rebuilt after the Korean War as a city of wide avenues, neatly designed parks and enormous marble public buildings.

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Geography and Environment

Terrain
mostly hills and mountains separated by deep, narrow valleys; coastal plains wide in west, discontinuous in east
Climate
temperate with rainfall concentrated in summer
Natural Hazards
late spring droughts often followed by severe flooding; occasional typhoons during the early fall
Current Environmental Issues
water pollution; inadequate supplies of potable water; water-borne disease; deforestation; soil erosion and degradation
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People & Demographics

Languages Spoken

Korean

  • Korean

Population

Population
26,072,217
Population in Major Urban Areas
PYONGYANG (capital) 2.843 million
Nationality Noun
Korean(s)
Ethnic Groups
racially homogeneous; there is a small Chinese community and a few ethnic Japanese
Language Note
Korean is spoken in both North and South Korea and is written in a phonetic alphabet created and promulgated in the mid-15th century. While the alphabet is called Hangul in South Korea, it is known as Chosongul in North Korea. Although the Korean language is derived with words adapted from Chinese, the North Koreans, unlike the South Koreans, do not use Chinese characters with Chosongul in their newspapers and publications. They prefer to use only Chosongul, which is sufficient for most needs. There are differences in vocabulary between the North and the South, influenced somewhat by politics and also by the contact each country has had with other nations. Russian, Chinese, and English are taught as second languages in the schools.

Education

Literacy Definition
age 15 and over can read and write Korean

Health Information

Life Expectancy at Birth
Life expectancy at birth in North Korea stands at approximately 72 to 73 years overall, with women generally outliving men by several years. Estimates place female life expectancy at around 75 to 76 years, while male life expectancy falls closer to 69 to 70 years. These figures reflect meaningful improvements over the mid-twentieth century but remain below the averages seen in neighboring South Korea and Japan, where life expectancies routinely exceed 83 years. The trajectory of life expectancy in North Korea tells a story shaped significantly by political and economic upheaval. The devastating famine of the 1990s, often referred to as the Arduous March, caused widespread malnutrition and a spike in mortality rates that set back decades of prior health gains. During the worst years of that period, life expectancy is estimated to have dropped noticeably before beginning a slow recovery into the 2000s and beyond. Chronic malnutrition remains a persistent challenge, particularly affecting children and rural populations. Stunting rates among young children have historically been elevated, and inadequate caloric intake weakens immune systems and increases vulnerability to otherwise preventable or treatable illnesses. Access to clean water and sanitation infrastructure, while improved in urban centers such as Pyongyang, remains inconsistent across rural and mountainous regions. The North Korean healthcare system is nominally universal, with the government maintaining a network of clinics, hospitals, and cooperative medical facilities. However, shortages of medicines, medical equipment, and trained specialists have long undermined the system's effectiveness, particularly outside the capital. International humanitarian assessments have documented significant gaps between stated government policy and actual health service delivery on the ground. Non-communicable diseases, including cardiovascular conditions and respiratory illnesses, are increasingly significant contributors to mortality as the population ages. Tobacco use among adult men is notably high, which adds to the burden of chronic disease. Limited dietary diversity, with heavy reliance on grains such as corn and rice, also contributes to micronutrient deficiencies that affect long-term health outcomes across age groups.

Life Expectancy

Life Expectancy at Birth
Life expectancy at birth in North Korea stands at approximately 72 to 73 years overall, with women generally outliving men by several years. Estimates place female life expectancy at around 75 to 76 years, while male life expectancy falls closer to 69 to 70 years. These figures reflect meaningful improvements over the mid-twentieth century but remain below the averages seen in neighboring South Korea and Japan, where life expectancies routinely exceed 83 years. The trajectory of life expectancy in North Korea tells a story shaped significantly by political and economic upheaval. The devastating famine of the 1990s, often referred to as the Arduous March, caused widespread malnutrition and a spike in mortality rates that set back decades of prior health gains. During the worst years of that period, life expectancy is estimated to have dropped noticeably before beginning a slow recovery into the 2000s and beyond. Chronic malnutrition remains a persistent challenge, particularly affecting children and rural populations. Stunting rates among young children have historically been elevated, and inadequate caloric intake weakens immune systems and increases vulnerability to otherwise preventable or treatable illnesses. Access to clean water and sanitation infrastructure, while improved in urban centers such as Pyongyang, remains inconsistent across rural and mountainous regions. The North Korean healthcare system is nominally universal, with the government maintaining a network of clinics, hospitals, and cooperative medical facilities. However, shortages of medicines, medical equipment, and trained specialists have long undermined the system's effectiveness, particularly outside the capital. International humanitarian assessments have documented significant gaps between stated government policy and actual health service delivery on the ground. Non-communicable diseases, including cardiovascular conditions and respiratory illnesses, are increasingly significant contributors to mortality as the population ages. Tobacco use among adult men is notably high, which adds to the burden of chronic disease. Limited dietary diversity, with heavy reliance on grains such as corn and rice, also contributes to micronutrient deficiencies that affect long-term health outcomes across age groups.
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Government & Politics

Country Identity

Country Name
KoreaNorth
Full Country Name
Democratic People's Republic of Korea
Local - Long
Choson-minjujuui-inmin-konghwaguk

Government Structure

Government Type
Communist state one-man dictatorship
Legal System
based on German civil law system with Japanese influences and Communist legal theory; no judicial review of legislative acts; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction
Executive Branch
chief of state: KIM Jong Un (since December 2011); KIM Jong Un serves as General Secretary of the Korean Workers' Party and President of the State Affairs Commission, the position recognized as the nation's highest office; KIM Jong Un assumed full control following the death of his father, KIM Jong Il, in December 2011 and has consolidated authority across party, state, and military structures; CHOE Ryong Hae serves as President of the Presidium of the Supreme People's Assembly, nominally responsible for representing the state and receiving diplomatic credentials head of government: Premier KIM Tok Hun (since August 2020); multiple Vice Premiers assist in overseeing state administrative functions under the Cabinet cabinet: Naegak (cabinet) members, except for the Minister of National Defense, are appointed by the Supreme People's Assembly (SPA) elections: KIM Jong Un faces no electoral competition; SPA deputies are elected every five years in single-candidate elections; last SPA elections held in March 2019 (next scheduled for 2024) election results: all candidates for the SPA ran unopposed with officially reported approval rates near 100 percent; leadership positions within the state and party are determined through party processes rather than competitive elections
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 March 10, 2019 (next to be held in 2024) Election results: Percent of vote by party — NA; seats by party — NA; the ruling Korean Workers' Party approves a single list of candidates who are elected without opposition and with an officially reported 100% turnout; some seats are held by minor parties including the Korean Social Democratic Party and the Chondoist Chongu Party
Judicial Branch
Central Court (judges are elected by the Supreme People's Assembly)
Suffrage
17 years of age; universal
Constitution
adopted 1948, completely revised 27 December 1972, revised again in April 1992 and September 1998
Independence
15 August 1945 (from Japan)
National Holiday
Founding of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK), 9 September (1948)

Capital City

Capital Name
Pyongyang
Capital - geographic coordinate
39 01 N, 125 45 E
Capital Time Difference
UTC+9 (14 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time) time zone note: on 5 May 2018, North Korea reverted to UTC+9, the same time zone as South Korea

the name translates as "flat land" in Korean

Military

Branches: North Korean People's Army: Ground Forces, Navy, Air Force; civil security forces

Embassy / Diplomatic Mission

North Korea does not have an embassy in the United States. U.S. citizens and residents planning to travel to North Korea may obtain DPRK visas at the DPRK Embassy in Beijing, China, which will issue visas only upon authorization from the DPRK Foreign Ministry in Pyongyang.

Before departing for China, you may wish to contact the DPRK Embassy in Beijing to confirm it has received authorization from Pyongyang to issue you a visa.

The Embassy of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea in Beijing

No. 11, Ritan Bei Lu,

Jianguomen Wai,

Chaoyang District

Beijing, China 100600

Telephone: (86-10) 6532-6639 (Visa Office)

Telephone: (86-10) 65312-1186

Facsimile: (86-10) 6532-6056

If you wish to ask the DPRK whether your application for a visa would be approved, you may address your inquiry to the Permanent Representative of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea to the United Nations in New York.

The Permanent Representative of the Democratic

People’s Republic of Korea to the United Nations

820 Second Avenue

New York, NY 10017

Telephone: (212) 972-3105

Facsimile: (212) 972-3154

If you live abroad in a country with diplomatic relations with the DPRK, you could ask the DPRK embassy in that country for visa advice.

The Embassy of Sweden (U.S. Protecting Power):

Swedish Embassy (U.S. Protecting Power)

Munsu-Dong District

Pyongyang, DPRK

Telephone: (850-2) 3817 485 (reception)

Telephone: (850-2) 3817 904, (850-2) 3817 907 (Deputy)

Telephone: (850-2) 3817 908, (850-2) 3817 905 (Ambassador)

Facsimile: (850-2) 3817 663

Email: ambassaden.pyongyang@gov.se

U.S. Embassy Beijing: The Embassy is located near the Ladies' Street (Nuren Jie) and Laitai Flower Market, opposite the Kempinski Hotel and Lufthansa shopping Center.

U.S. Embassy Beijing

American Citizens Services Unit

No. 55 An Jia Lou Road

Chaoyang District

Beijing, China 100600

Telephone: (86-10) 8531-4000

Facsimile: (86-10) 8531-3300

Email: beijingacs@state.gov

Emergency after-hours telephone: (86-10) 8531-4000

U.S. Embassy Seoul: The Embassy is located across the street from Sejong Cultural Center and next to the Ministry of Information and Communication/KT Building.

U. S. Embassy Seoul

American Citizen Services Unit

188 Sejong Daero, Jongno-gu

Seoul, Republic of Korea

Telephone: (82-2) 397-4114

Facsimile: (82-2) 2-397-4101

E-mail: seoulinfo@state.gov

Emergency after-hours telephone: (82-2) 397-4114

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Economy

North Korea operates one of the world's most centrally planned and isolated economies, facing chronic and severe economic hardship.

Snapshot

Currency Name and Code
North Korean Won (KPW)
GDP Real Growth Rate
-1.1%
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News & Weather

Current Weather

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Climate Overview

temperate with rainfall concentrated in summer

Videos

1 curated YouTube videos.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the population of Korea, North?
The population of Korea, North is approximately 26.1M.
How do people greet each other in KoreaNorth?
Greetings and introductions are formal, with bowing being most common, though handshakes occur among men. The Korean language has different levels of formality, so greetings change depending on who is involved. Do: Have younger or lower-status people bow until the other offers a handshake or returns the bow When men shake hands, extend the right hand and support it at the wrist with the left hand to show deference, with the head slightly bowed When women meet, extend both hands and grasp each other's hands When greeting a superior, ask about their health and parents; with a subordinate, ask about spouse and children The most common greeting is "Anyong haseyo" ("Are you at peace?"), meaning "How are you?" Use "Anyong" with children and "Anyong hashimnikka" for superiors — the different endings indicate levels of respect Children always bow to adults and wave or bow among themselves
What are the dining customs in KoreaNorth?
Korean food is generally spicy, built around kimch'i and rice, with a favorite dish being naengmyon, a cold noodle dish. Use spoons for soup and chopsticks for everything else. Do: Slurping soup and noodles is accepted and is a practical way to eat hot food quickly Use a spoon for soup and chopsticks for everything else Don't: Don't eat with your fingers, as it is considered impolite Don't eat while walking on the street, as it is considered ill-mannered and offensive Meals usually consist of spicy vegetables, soup, fish, and kimch'i Conversation during meals is quite limited, except during lengthy dinner parties Delicacies like pulkogi (marinated beef) and kalbi (short ribs) are less common than in the South due to lower economic conditions Families rarely eat daily meals together; fathers often eat at workplace cafeterias
What is the visiting and hospitality etiquette in KoreaNorth?
Koreans do not commonly visit unannounced, and arranged social visits are infrequent, but hosts are very generous, offering guests the best the household has to offer. Showing respect for the family and state is of utmost importance during visits. Do: Bring a gift for the hosts as a sign of respect — often fruit, a beverage, or something from your home region Remove shoes and hats indoors; wear slippers if provided, otherwise socks Pay particular attention to the host and respect his feelings Give and receive gifts with both hands Don't: Don't visit unannounced Don't expect a superior to visit a subordinate unless special business calls for it The gesture of giving a gift matters far more than its value Guests are nearly always offered light refreshments such as a drink, fruit, crackers, cookies, or coffee If there are many guests, age or status determines the best seat, the best cut of meat, and the largest drink
What should I wear in KoreaNorth?
Conservative dress is important in public, and traditional clothing is often worn for special occasions or holidays. Do: Dress conservatively in public Wear traditional clothing for special occasions — women often wear the two-piece, colorful hanbok, and men wear pants with a loose robe or jacket Don't: Don't go barefoot, as bare feet are inappropriate Clothing often depends on the event
What gestures and body language should I know in KoreaNorth?
Good posture shows respect, and physical touch is largely limited to friends of the same sex. Hands are generally not used much in conversation. Do: Maintain good posture to show respect for the host or speaker Remove hats in buildings and in the presence of an elder or superior Give and receive gifts with both hands Don't: Don't sit in a relaxed manner, as it is considered an insult Don't expose the soles of your feet to another person while sitting Don't touch strangers or casual acquaintances, especially between opposite sexes Don't look a superior directly in the eye Men holding hands or slinging an arm over a friend's shoulder is a normal expression of friendship
What is family life like in KoreaNorth?
The family remains important, but the government has redirected traditional devotion toward the larger society and state, promoting the slogan "love your family, love your state." Both parents usually work and children go to day care Consumerism is discouraged in favor of austerity, though workers can earn supplies, benefits, and gifts from employers or the government The government has set minimum marriage ages of 27 for men and 25 for women to allow for military service and other obligations
What do people do for recreation in KoreaNorth?
Koreans enjoy traditional sports such as tae-kwon-do and ssirum, a form of wrestling. Tae-kwon-do is a martial art that originated in Korea 2000 years ago as self-defense exercise In ssirum, a competitor grasps the opponent's belt (satba) and tries to throw him to the ground; touching the ground above the knee loses the match
What is the capital of North Korea?
Pyongyang is the capital and largest city of North Korea. Completely destroyed during the Korean War, the city was rebuilt from the ground up as a showcase of socialist ambition, featuring wide ceremonial avenues, neatly designed parks, and enormous marble public buildings. It serves as the political, cultural, and administrative heart of the country, and is also home to major monuments honoring the ruling Kim dynasty.
Where is North Korea located?
North Korea is located in East Asia, occupying the northern half of the Korean Peninsula. It lies between latitudes roughly 37° and 43° N, bordering the Yellow Sea to the west and the Sea of Japan (East Sea) to the east. The peninsula extends southward from the northeastern corner of the Asian continent, placing North Korea in a strategically significant position between China, Russia, and South Korea.
What countries border North Korea?
North Korea shares land borders with three countries. To the north, it borders China along the Yalu and Tumen rivers, and shares a short northeastern boundary with Russia. To the south, it borders South Korea along the heavily fortified Demilitarized Zone (DMZ), established at roughly the 38th parallel following the 1953 armistice that ended active fighting in the Korean War.
What is the currency of North Korea?
The official currency of North Korea is the North Korean Won, with the ISO code KPW. The currency is tightly controlled by the state and is not freely convertible on international markets. Foreigners visiting North Korea — an extremely limited group — are generally required to use designated foreign currencies, and the domestic economy operates largely outside normal market exchange mechanisms.
What language is spoken in North Korea?
Korean is the sole official language of North Korea and is spoken by virtually the entire population. While the Korean language is shared with South Korea, decades of division have produced notable differences in vocabulary, pronunciation, and orthographic conventions between the two varieties. North Korean usage has been heavily influenced by the state ideology of Juche, which has introduced politically motivated terminology into everyday speech and official discourse.
What is the official ideology of North Korea?
Juche, often translated as "national self-reliance," is the state ideology of North Korea and permeates virtually every aspect of public and private life. Developed by founding leader Kim Il-sung, the concept emphasizes political independence, economic self-sufficiency, and a strong national defense. It functions as a quasi-religious framework, underpinning loyalty to the ruling Kim dynasty and providing citizens with a justification for sacrifice and isolation from the outside world.
What is North Korea known for?
North Korea is most specifically known for its nuclear and ballistic missile programs, which have made it a focal point of international security concerns for decades. The country is also recognized for its mass choreographed spectacles known as the Arirang Mass Games, its cult of personality surrounding the Kim dynasty, and its extreme political isolation as one of the most closed societies on earth. Domestically, traditional Korean dishes such as cold naengmyeon noodles have deep cultural roots, though chronic food shortages have historically defined daily life for much of the population.
What is the government structure of North Korea?
North Korea is a single-party state governed by the Korean Workers' Party, operating as a de facto hereditary dictatorship under the Kim family. The official state ideology of Juche underpins its political system, which prioritizes state authority above family, religion, and individual rights. The country's official name is the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK). Since the death of founder Kim Il-sung in 1994, the nation has been governed by successive generations of the Kim family, currently Kim Jong-un.

Last reviewed 2026

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