People's Democratic Republic of Korea

Democratic People's Republic of Korea 조선민주주의인민공화국 Chosŏn Minjujuŭi Inmin Konghwaguk
Flag Emblem
Motto: Chosŏn'gŭl: 강성대국; MR: Kangsŏng Daeguk "Powerful and Prosperous Nation"
Anthem:  "Aegukka" Korean: 애국가, The Patriotic Song
Area controlled by the Democratic People's Republic of Korea shown in dark green; claimed but uncontrolled regions shown in light green.
Capital and largest city	Pyongyang 39°2′N 125°45′E / 39.033°N 125.750°E / 39.033; 125.750
Official languages	Korean
Official script	Chosŏn'gŭl
Demonym	North Korean Korean
Government	Unitary one-party Juche state Songun policy (de jure) under a totalitarian dictatorship (de facto)
• Eternal leaders of Juche Korea	Kim Il-sung and Kim Jong-il
• Supreme Leader	Kim Jong-un
• Chairman of the Assembly Presidium	Kim Yong-nam
• Director of General Political Bureau	Hwang Pyong-so
• Premier	Pak Pong-ju
• Vice Chairman of Policy Bureau	Choe Ryong-hae
Legislature	Supreme People's Assembly
Formation
• First Dynasty	Before 194 BC
• Three Kingdoms	18 BC
• North-South Kingdoms	698
• Unitary dynasties	918
• Annexation by Japan	29 August 1910
• Liberation/Independence from Japan	15 August 1945
• Provisional People's Committee for North Korea established	8 February 1946
• Foundation of DPRK	9 September 1948
• Chinese withdrawal	October 1958
• Juche ideology implemented	27 December 1972
• Current constitution	29 June 2016
Area
• Total	120,540 km2 (46,540 sq mi) (97th)
• Water (%)	4.87
Population
• 2016 estimate	25,368,620 (48th)
• 2008 census	24,052,231
• Density	198.3/km2 (513.6/sq mi) (63rd)
GDP (PPP)	2014 estimate
• Total	$40 billion
• Per capita	$1,800
GDP (nominal)	2015 estimate
• Total	$25 billion
• Per capita	$1,000
HDI (1995)	0.766 high · 75th
Currency	North Korean won (₩) (KPW)
Time zone	Pyongyang Time(UTC+8:30)
Date format	yy, yyyy년 mm월 dd일 yy, yyyy/mm/dd (AD–1911 / AD)
Drives on the	right
Calling code	+850
ISO 3166 code	KP
Internet TLD	.kp

North Korea
"North Korea" in Chosŏn'gŭl (top) and Hancha (bottom) scripts.
Hangul
Hanja
McCune–Reischauer	Chosŏn

Democratic People's Republic of Korea
"Democratic People's Republic of Korea" in Hancha (top) and Chosŏn'gŭl (bottom) scripts.
Chosŏn'gŭl
Hancha
McCune–Reischauer	Chosŏn Minjujuŭi Inmin Konghwaguk

Coordinates: 40°00′N 127°00′E / 40.000°N 127.000°E / 40.000; 127.000

North Korea, officially the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (abbreviated DPRK), is a country in East Asia constituting the northern part of the Korean Peninsula. Pyongyang is the nation's capital and largest city. To the north and northwest the country is bordered by China and by Russia along the Amnok (known as the Yalu in China) and Tumen rivers; it is bordered to the south by South Korea, with the heavily fortified Korean Demilitarized Zone (DMZ) separating the two. Nevertheless, North Korea, like its southern counterpart, claims to be the legitimate government of the entire Korean peninsula.

In 1910, Korea was annexed by the Empire of Japan. After the Japanese surrender at the end of World War II, in 1945, Korea was divided into two zones, with the north occupied by the Soviets and the south by the Americans. Negotiations on reunification failed, and in 1948, separate governments were formed: the socialist Democratic People's Republic of Korea in the north, and the capitalist Republic of Korea in the south. An invasion initiated by North Korea led to the Korean War (1950–1953). The Korean Armistice Agreement brought about a ceasefire, but no peace treaty was signed.