Short description : Overview of and topical guide to North Korea
The Emblem of North Korea
An enlargeable map of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea
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: 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
An enlargeable relief map of North Korea
Pronunciation : listen
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 KP
Internet country code top-level domain : .kp
Time in North Korea
International rankings of North Korea
Geography of North Korea
An enlargeable topographic map of North Korea
Geography of North Korea
North Korea is: a country
Location:
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 - 47th most populous country
Area of North Korea: 120,540 km2 (46,540 sq mi)
Atlas of North Korea
Environment of North Korea
An enlargeable satellite image of North Korea
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
Birds of North Korea
Mammals of North Korea
Natural geographic features of North Korea
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
Regions of North Korea
China–North Korea border
North Korea–Russia border
Ecoregions of North Korea
Administrative divisions of North Korea
Administrative divisions of North Korea
Provinces of North Korea
Provinces
Special Administrative Regions
Directly governed cities
Provinces of North Korea
Chagang Province (Chagang-do; 자강도; 慈江道)
North Hamgyŏng Province (Hamgyŏng-pukto; 함경 북도; 咸鏡北道)
South Hamgyŏng Province (Hamgyŏng-namdo; 함경 남도; 咸鏡南道)
North Hwanghae Province (Hwanghae-pukto; 황해 북도; 黃海北道)
South Hwanghae Province (Hwanghae-namdo; 황해 남도; 黃海南道)
Kangwŏn Province (Kangwŏndo; 강원도; 江原道)
North P'yŏngan Province (P'yŏngan-pukto; 평안 북도; 平安北道)
South P'yŏngan Province (P'yŏngan-namdo; 평안 남도; 平安南道)
Ryanggang Province (Ryanggang-do; 량강도; 兩江道)1
Note:Sometimes also spelled as "Yanggang" in English.
Kaesŏng Industrial Region (Kaesŏng Kongŏp Chigu; 개성 공업 지구; 開城工業地區)
Mount Kumgang Tourist Region (Kŭmgangsan Kwan'gwang Chigu; 금강산 관광 지구; 金剛山觀光地區)
Sinŭiju Special Administrative Region (Sinŭiju T'ŭkpyŏl Haengjŏnggu; 신의주 특별 행정구; 新義州特別行政區)
P'yŏngyang (P'yŏngyang Chikhalsi; 평양 직할시; 平壤直轄市)
Rasŏn (Rajin-Sŏnbong)(Rasŏn (Rajin-Sŏnbong) Chikhalsi; 라선 (라진-선봉) 직할시; 羅先 (羅津-先鋒) 直轄市)
Second-level administrative districts of North Korea, by province
The second-level divisions of North Korea as of 2012
Pyongyang Directly Governed City
Pyongyang Directly Governed City
19 wards (guyok):
Chung-guyok
Pyongchon-guyok
Potonggang-guyok
Moranbong-guyok
Sosong-guyok
Songyo-guyok
Tongdaewon-guyok
Taedonggang-guyok
Sadong-guyok
Taesong-guyok
Mangyongdae-guyok
Hyongjesan-guyok
Ryongsong-guyok
Samsok-guyok
Ryokpo-guyok
Rangnang-guyok
Sunan-guyok
Unjong-guyok
Hwasong-guyok
2counties (kun):
1 neighbourhood
Rason Special City
Rason Special City
2 ward (guyok):
Rajin
Sonbong
Chagang Province
Chagang Province
3 cities (si):
15 counties (kun):
Changgang County
Chasong County
Chonchon County
Chosan County
Chunggang County
Hwapyong County
Kopung County
Rangrim County
Ryongrim County
Sijung County
Songgan County
Songwon County
Tongsin County
Usi County
Wiwon County
North Hamgyŏng Province
North Hamgyong Province
3 cities (si):
Chongjin
Hoeryong
Kimchaek
12 counties (kun):
Myonggan County
Hwadae County
Kilju County
Kyongsong County
Musan County
Myongchon County
Onsong County
Orang County
Puryong County
Kyongwon County
Kyonghung County
Yonsa County
South Hamgyŏng Province
South Hamgyong Province
4 cities (si):
Hamhung
Hungnam
Sinpo
Tanchon
1 district (ku): Sudong
1 area (chigu): Kumho (North Korea)
15 counties (kun):
Changjin County
Chongpyong County
Hamju County
Hochon County
Hongwon County
Kowon County
Kumya County
Pujon County
Pukchong County
Ragwon County
Riwon County
Sinhung County
Toksong County
Yonggwang County
Yodok County
North Hwanghae Province
North Hwanghae Province
3 cities (si):
Sariwon
Kaesong (City with special status / Kaesong Industrial Region)
Songrim
19 counties (kun): Changpung County
Chunghwa County
Hwangju County
Kaepung County
Kangnam County
Koksan County
Kumchon County
Pongsan County
Pyongsan County
Rinsan County
Sangwon County
Singye County
Sinpyong County
Sohung County
Suan County
Tosan County
Unpa County
Yonsan County
Yontan County
South Hwanghae Province
South Hwanghae Province
1 city (si): Haeju
19 counties (kun):
Anak County
Chaeryong County
Changyon County
Chongdan County
Kangryong County
Kwail County
Ongjin County, South Hwanghae
Paechon County
Pongchon County
Pyoksong County
Ryongyon County
Samchon County
Sinchon County
Sinwon County
Songhwa County
Taetan County
Ullyul County
Unchon County
Yonan County
Kangwon Province
Kangwon Province (North Korea)
2 cities (si):
1 special administrative region: Mount Kumgang Tourist Region
15 counties (kun):
Anbyon County
Changdo County
Chorwon County
Chonnae County
Hoeyang County
Ichon County
Kimhwa County
Kosan County
Kosong County
Kumgang County
Pangyo County
Poptong County
Pyonggang County
Sepo County
Tongchon County
North P'yŏngan Province
North Pyongan Province
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
South Pyongan Province
6 cities (si):
Pyongsong
Anju, South Pyongan
Kaechon
Nampo (City with special status)
Sunchon
Tokchon
1 district (ku): Chongnam
2 districts (chigu):
16 counties (kun):
Chungsan County
Hoechang County
Maengsan County
Mundok County
Nyongwon County
Pukchang County
Pyongwon County
Sinyang County
Songchon County
Sukchon County
Taedong County
Taehung County
Unsan County, South Pyongan
Yangdok County
Ryanggang Province
Ryanggang Province
1 city (si): Hyesan
11 counties (kun):
Kapsan County
Kimjongsuk County
Kimhyonggwon County
Kimhyongjik County
Paegam County
Pochon County
Pungso County
Samjiyon County
Samsu County
Taehongdan County
Unhung County
Municipalities of North Korea
Municipalities of North Korea
Capital of North Korea: Pyongyang
Cities of North Korea
Special cities of North Korea
Demography of North Korea
Demographics of North Korea
1993 North Korea Census
2008 North Korea Census
Government and politics of North Korea
Politics of North Korea
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
North Korean defectors in Thailand
List of North Korean defectors in South Korea
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
Workers' Party of North Korea
1st Central Committee of the Workers' Party of North Korea
1st Central Inspection Commission of the Workers' Party of North Korea
1st Congress of the Workers' Party of North Korea
2nd Congress of the Workers' Party of North Korea
Propaganda in North Korea
Branches of the government of North Korea
Government of North Korea
Executive branch of the government of North Korea
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
Minister of Foreign Affairs (North Korea)
Departments of the government of North Korea
Ministry of Post and Telecommunications (North Korea)
Legislative branch of the government of North Korea
Parliament of North Korea (unicameral)
Judicial branch of the government of North Korea
Foreign relations of North Korea
Foreign relations of North Korea
Diplomatic missions in North Korea
Diplomatic missions of North Korea
Embassy of North Korea in Moscow
Embassy of North Korea, London
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
CIA activities in North Korea
North Korea–Vietnam relations
The Gambia–North Korea relations
International organization membership
The 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
Law of North Korea
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
Censorship in North Korea
Human experimentation in North Korea
Human trafficking in North Korea
LGBT rights in North Korea
Freedom of religion in North Korea
Mass surveillance in North Korea
Taxation in North Korea
Law enforcement in North Korea
Visa policy of North Korea
Visa requirements for North Korean citizens
Military of North Korea
Military of North Korea
Command
Commander-in-chief
Central Military Commission
Ministry of Defence of North Korea
Forces
Army of North Korea
105th Armored Division (North Korea)
1st Division (North Korea)
3rd Division (North Korea)
6th Division (North Korea)
I Corps (North Korea)
II Corps (North Korea)
III Corps (North Korea)
IV Corps (North Korea)
V Corps (North Korea)
XII Corps (North Korea)
Tanks of North Korea
Navy of North Korea
Air Force of North Korea
Military history of North Korea
Military ranks of North Korea
Local government in North Korea
Local 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
History of North Korea
Military history of North Korea
History of North Korea, by period
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
Kim Jong Il (ruled from 1994 to 2011)
Kim Jong Un (ruled from 2011 to present)
2018–19 Korean peace process
Peace Treaty on Korean Peninsula
History of North Korea, by year
List 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
History of Korea, by subject
North Korea flooding
2006 North Korean floods
2007 North Korean floods
2012 North Korean floods
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
1993
2006
2009
2013
2014
2016
Nuclear tests
2006 (reactions)
2009 (reactions)
2013 (reactions)
January 2016 (reactions)
Wars involving North Korea
Culture of North Korea
Culture of North Korea
Architecture of North Korea
Cuisine of North Korea
List of North Korean dishes
Cultural assets of North Korea
Languages of North Korea
Media in North Korea
National symbols of North Korea
Emblem of North Korea
Flag of North Korea
National anthem of North Korea
Prostitution in North Korea
Public holidays in North Korea
Religion in North Korea
Buddhism in North Korea
Christianity in North Korea
Roman Catholicism in North Korea
Hinduism in North Korea
Irreligion in North Korea
Islam in North Korea
List of museums in North Korea
List of World Heritage Sites in North Korea
Art in North Korea
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
List of theatres in North Korea
People of North Korea
People of North Korea
Koreans
North Korean diaspora
North Koreans in Russia
North Koreans in South Korea
Ethnic groups in North Korea
Americans in North Korea
Chinese North Korean
French North Korean
German North Korean
Japanese North Korean
Japanese people in North Korea
Women in North Korea
Sports in North Korea
Sport in North Korea
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 men's national ice hockey team
North Korea men's national junior ice hockey team
North Korea men's national under-18 ice hockey team
North Korea women's national ice hockey team
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 2012 Summer Paralympics
North Korea at the 2016 Summer 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 women's national volleyball team
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
Economy of North Korea
Economic rank, by nominal GDP (2007) : 155th (one hundred and fifty fifth)
Agriculture in North Korea
Potato production in North Korea
Banking in North Korea
National Bank of North Korea
List of banks in North Korea
Companies of North Korea
Currency of North Korea : Won
Defense industry of North Korea
Energy in North Korea
Nuclear power 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
Communications in North Korea
North Korean postal service
Postage stamps and postal history of North Korea
Telecommunications in North Korea
Internet in North Korea
Telephone numbers in North Korea
Media of North Korea
List of magazines in North Korea
List of newspapers in North Korea
List of radio stations in North Korea
Transport in North Korea
Transport in North Korea
List of highway airstrips in North Korea
Airports in North Korea
Rail transport in North Korea
List of railway stations in North Korea
Railway lines in North Korea
Vehicular transport in North Korea
Automotive industry in North Korea
Bridges in North Korea
Vehicle registration plates of North Korea
Roads in North Korea
Trams and trolleybuses in North Korea
Education in North Korea
Education in North Korea
Health in North Korea
Health in North Korea
Disability in North Korea
HIV/AIDS in North Korea
Bibliographies
Bibliography of North Korea
See also
North 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
↑ 1.0 1.1 "North Korea" . The World Factbook . United States Central Intelligence Agency. July 2, 2009. https://www.cia.gov/the-world-factbook/countries/korea-north/ .
↑ Spencer, Richard (2007-08-28). "North Korea power struggle looms" . The Telegraph (online version of UK national newspaper) (London). https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/main.jhtml?xml=/news/2007/08/28/wnkorea128.xml . "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) . https://www.nytimes.com/2003/10/02/international/asia/02CND-KORE.html?ex=1380513600&en=a29d7f1e49aabee0&ei=5007&partner=USERLAND . "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). http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/world/asia/article2388356.ece . "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. http://socialistworld.net/eng/2003/02/08korea.html . "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. http://www.sa.org.au/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=333&Itemid=106 . "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 . http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2008-03-13/edit-page/27775227_1_dear-leader-pyongyang-democratic-people-s-republic . "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
Official Website of the DPR Korea
Official Website of the DPR Korea in Switzerland
North Korea Uncovered , (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 - Korean Central News Agency, the official news agency of the DPRK
Naenara [yes|permanent dead link|dead link}} ] - ("My country") DPRK's Official Web Portal run by Korea Computer Company
Outline of North Korea at Curlie