21 Facts About North Korea

North Korea, officially called the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK), is an East Asian country that occupies the northern part of the Korean Peninsula.

It has a population of about 26 million people and covers roughly 120,500 square kilometers of land. Around 55 percent of the Korean Peninsula lies within North Korean territory.

The Demilitarized Zone (DMZ) separating North and South Korea is about 240 kilometers long and is considered one of the most heavily fortified borders in the world.

Pyongyang is the capital and the country’s main political, industrial, and transportation center. Only citizens regarded as loyal to the state are allowed to live there permanently.

North Korea’s leader is Kim Jong Un, who holds the title of Supreme Leader. The state ideology, known as Juche, was developed under his grandfather Kim Il Sung and emphasizes self-reliance and loyalty to the leadership.

The official currency is the North Korean won (KPW). Foreign visitors usually pay using foreign currencies rather than local cash.

North Korea uses its own calendar system, which begins in 1912, the year Kim Il Sung was born, instead of the standard Gregorian year count in official contexts.

The country has its own space agency and has launched satellites as part of its space and missile programs.

Media and information are tightly controlled. Most people have access only to state television and radio, and independent internet access is extremely limited. Foreign films and South Korean dramas circulate mainly through illegal means.

Travel is heavily restricted. Citizens must obtain government permission to move between regions or cities, and foreign tourists are allowed to visit only certain areas under official supervision.

North Korea and South Korea were once a single country. After World War II, the peninsula was divided, with the north under Soviet influence and the south under U.S. influence, leading to the Korean War and permanent separation.

The country maintains strict border controls and one of the largest standing armies in the world. Both men and women are required to perform long periods of military service.

Food shortages have been a serious issue, especially during the 1990s famine, when hundreds of thousands — and possibly more — died. Malnutrition remains a long-term problem in parts of the country.

Rice and maize are staple foods, and agriculture is organized mainly through collective farms.

North Korea officially claims to provide free healthcare and education, though shortages of medicine, equipment, and resources are widely reported.

Freedom of religion exists in law but is extremely limited in practice, and religious activity is closely monitored by the state.

The country is sometimes described as being symbolically ruled by its deceased founder, Kim Il Sung, who is officially titled the “Eternal President.”

The Rungrado 1st of May Stadium in Pyongyang is often described as the world’s largest stadium, with seating capacity claimed to exceed 100,000 people.

Mount Paektu, on the border with China, is the country’s highest peak and holds deep cultural and mythological significance as the legendary birthplace of the Korean people.

North Koreans generally have limited knowledge of the outside world due to tight censorship and restricted access to foreign news and media.

International organizations regularly rank North Korea at or near the bottom of global indexes for press freedom and civil liberties, reflecting the state’s strict control over information and public life.