The following outline is provided as an overview of and topical guide to North Korea:
North Korea – sovereign country located on the northern half of the Korean Peninsula in East Asia. 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. 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 recently 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.
Geography of North Korea
North Korea is: a countryLocation:Northern Hemisphere and Eastern HemisphereEurasiaAsiaEast AsiaKorean PeninsulaTime zone: Korea Standard Time (UTC+09)Extreme points of North KoreaHigh: Paektu-san 2,744 m (9,003 ft)Low: Sea of Japan and Yellow Sea 0 mLand boundaries: 1,673 kmCoastline: 2,495 kmPopulation of North Korea: 23,790,000 - 47th most populous countryArea of North Korea: 120,540 km2Atlas of North KoreaClimate of North KoreaEnvironment of North KoreaWildlife of North KoreaFlora of North KoreaFauna of North KoreaBirds of North KoreaMammals of North KoreaNatural monuments of North KoreaIslands of North KoreaLakes of North KoreaMountains of North KoreaVolcanoes in North KoreaRivers of North KoreaValleys of North KoreaList of World Heritage Sites in North KoreaRegions of North Korea
China–North Korea borderNorth Korea–Russia borderAdministrative divisions of North Korea
First-level divisionsSecond-level divisionsThird-level divisionsProvinces
Special Administrative Regions
Directly-governed cities
Provinces of North Korea
Second-level administrative districts of North Korea, by province
Pyongyang Directly Governed City
Pyongyang Directly Governed City
18 wards (guyok):Chung-guyokPyongchon-guyokPotonggang-guyokMoranbong-guyokSosong-guyokSongyo-guyokTongdaewon-guyokTaedonggang-guyokSadong-guyokTaesong-guyokMangyongdae-guyokHyongjesan-guyokRyongsong-guyokSamsok-guyokRyokpo-guyokRangnang-guyokSunan-guyokUnjong-guyok1 county (kun): KangdongRason Special City
Rason Special City
1 ward (guyok): Rajin1 county (kun): SonbongChagang Province
3 cities (si):KanggyeHuichonManpo15 counties (kun):Changgang CountyChasong CountyChonchon CountyChosan CountyChunggang CountyHwapyong CountyKopung CountyRangrim CountyRyongrim CountySijung CountySonggan CountySongwon CountyTongsin CountyUsi CountyWiwon CountyNorth Hamgyŏng Province
North Hamgyong Province
3 cities (si):ChongjinHoeryongKimchaek12 counties (kun):Myonggan CountyHwadae CountyKilju CountyKyongsong CountyMusan CountyMyongchon CountyOnsong CountyOrang CountyPuryong CountyKyongwon CountyKyonghung CountyYonsa CountySouth Hamgyŏng Province
South Hamgyong Province
4 cities (si):HamhungHungnamSinpoTanchon1 district (ku): Sudong1 area (chigu): Kumho (North Korea)15 counties (kun):Changjin CountyChongpyong CountyHamju CountyHochon CountyHongwon CountyKowon CountyKumya CountyPujon CountyPukchong CountyRagwon CountyRiwon CountySinhung CountyToksong CountyYonggwang CountyYodok CountyNorth Hwanghae Province
3 cities (si):SariwonKaesong (City with special status / Kaesong Industrial Region)Songrim19 counties (kun): Changpung CountyChunghwa CountyHwangju CountyKaepung CountyKangnam CountyKoksan CountyKumchon CountyPongsan CountyPyongsan CountyRinsan CountySangwon CountySingye CountySinpyong CountySohung CountySuan CountyTosan CountyUnpa CountyYonsan CountyYontan CountySouth Hwanghae Province
1 city (si): Haeju19 counties (kun):Anak CountyChaeryong CountyChangyon CountyChongdan CountyKangryong CountyKwail CountyOngjin County, South HwanghaePaechon CountyPongchon CountyPyoksong CountyRyongyon CountySamchon CountySinchon CountySinwon CountySonghwa CountyTaetan CountyUllyul CountyUnchon CountyYonan CountyKangwon Province
Kangwon Province (North Korea)
2 cities (si):MunchonWonsan1 special administrative region: Mount Kumgang Tourist Region15 counties (kun):Anbyon CountyChangdo CountyChorwon CountyChonnae CountyHoeyang CountyIchon CountyKimhwa CountyKosan CountyKosong CountyKumgang CountyPangyo CountyPoptong CountyPyonggang CountySepo CountyTongchon CountyNorth P'yŏngan Province
North Pyongan Province
3 cities (si):SinuijuChongjuKusong22 counties (kun):Changsong CountyCholsan CountyChonma CountyHyangsan CountyKujang CountyKwaksan CountyNyongbyon CountyPakchon CountyPihyon CountyPyoktong CountyRyongchon CountySakchu CountySindo CountySonchon CountyTaechon CountyTaegwan CountyTongchang CountyTongrim CountyUiju CountyUnjon CountyUnsan CountyYomju CountySouth P'yŏngan Province
South Pyongan Province
6 cities (si):PyongsongAnju, South PyonganKaechonNampo (City with special status)SunchonTokchon1 district (ku): Chongnam2 districts (chigu):TukchangUngok16 counties (kun):Chungsan CountyHoechang CountyMaengsan CountyMundok CountyNyongwon CountyPukchang CountyPyongwon CountySinyang CountySongchon CountySukchon CountyTaedong CountyTaehung CountyUnsan County, South PyonganYangdok CountyRyanggang Province
1 city (si): Hyesan11 counties (kun):Kapsan CountyKimjongsuk CountyKimhyonggwon CountyKimhyongjik CountyPaegam CountyPochon CountyPungso CountySamjiyon CountySamsu CountyTaehongdan CountyUnhung CountyMunicipalities of North Korea
Municipalities of North Korea
Capital of North Korea: PyongyangCities of North KoreaSpecial cities of North KoreaDemographics of North Korea
1993 North Korea Census2008 North Korea CensusGovernment and politics of North Korea
Politics of North Korea
Form of government:Capital of North Korea: PyongyangNorth Korean abductions of Japanese citizensNorth Korean abductions of South KoreansCorruption in North KoreaNorth Korean defectorsNorth Korean defectors in ThailandList of North Korean defectors in South KoreaElections in North KoreaNorth Korean parliamentary election, 1948North Korean parliamentary election, 1957North Korean parliamentary election, 1962North Korean parliamentary election, 1967North Korean parliamentary election, 1972North Korean parliamentary election, 1977North Korean parliamentary election, 1982North Korean parliamentary election, 1986North Korean parliamentary election, 1990North Korean parliamentary election, 1998North Korean parliamentary election, 2003North Korean parliamentary election, 2009North Korean parliamentary election, 2014North Korea's illicit activitiesMass surveillance in North KoreaPolitical parties in North KoreaWorkers' Party of North Korea1st Central Committee of the Workers' Party of North Korea1st Central Inspection Commission of the Workers' Party of North Korea1st Congress of the Workers' Party of North Korea2nd Congress of the Workers' Party of North KoreaPropaganda in North KoreaGovernment of North Korea
Head of state: President of North Korea,Head of government: Prime Minister of North Korea,Residences of North Korean leadersNorth Korean leaders' trainsCabinet of North KoreaMinister of Foreign Affairs (North Korea)Departments of the government of North KoreaMinistry of Post and Telecommunications (North Korea)Parliament of North Korea (unicameral)Judiciary of North KoreaForeign relations of North Korea
Diplomatic missions in North KoreaDiplomatic missions of North KoreaEmbassy of North Korea in MoscowEmbassy of North Korea, LondonNorth Korea–South Korea relationsAustralia–North Korea relationsBotswana–North Korea relationsBrazil–North Korea relationsBurkina Faso–North Korea relationsBurundi–North Korea relationsCambodia–North Korea relationsCanada–North Korea relationsCentral African Republic–North Korea relationsChina–North Korea relationsComoros–North Korea relationsDenmark–North Korea relationsEquatorial Guinea–North Korea relationsForeign relations of North KoreaFrance–North Korea relationsGermany–North Korea relationsGrenada–North Korea relationsGuinea-Bissau–North Korea relationsHong Kong–North Korea relationsHungary–North Korea relationsIceland–North Korea relationsIndia–North Korea relationsIndonesia–North Korea relationsIran–North Korea relationsIsrael–North Korea relationsItaly–North Korea relationsJapan–North Korea relationsKenya–North Korea relationsMalaysia–North Korea relationsMauritania–North Korea relationsMongolia–North Korea relationsNamibia–North Korea relationsNew Zealand–North Korea relationsNorth Korea–Norway relationsNorth Korea–Pakistan relationsNorth Korea–Palestine relationsNorth Korea–Philippines relationsNorth Korea–Poland relationsNorth Korea–Russia relationsNorth Korea–Rwanda relationsNorth Korea–Serbia relationsNorth Korea–Seychelles relationsNorth Korea–Singapore relationsNorth Korea–Somalia relationsNorth Korea–Tanzania relationsNorth Korea–Togo relationsNorth Korea–United Kingdom relationsNorth Korea–United States relationsCIA activities in North KoreaNorth Korea–Vietnam relationsThe Gambia–North Korea relationsThe Democratic People's Republic of Korea is a member of:
North Korea is 1 of only 7 U.N. members which is not a member of the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons.
Law and order in North Korea
Law of North Korea
Cannabis in North KoreaCapital punishment in North KoreaCitizenship in North KoreaConstitution of North KoreaCopyright law of North KoreaCrime in North KoreaHuman rights in North KoreaCensorship in North KoreaHuman experimentation in North KoreaHuman trafficking in North KoreaLGBT rights in North KoreaFreedom of religion in North KoreaMass surveillance in North KoreaTaxation in North KoreaLaw enforcement in North KoreaPrisons in North KoreaVisa policy of North KoreaVisa requirements for North Korean citizensMilitary of North Korea
CommandCommander-in-chief:Ministry of Defence of North KoreaForcesArmy of North Korea105th 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 KoreaNavy of North KoreaAir Force of North KoreaSpecial forces of North KoreaMilitary history of North KoreaMilitary ranks of North KoreaLocal government in North Korea
North Korean local elections, 1946North Korean local elections, 1947North Korean local elections, 1949North Korean local elections, 1956North Korean local elections, 1959North Korean local elections, 1963North Korean local elections, 1967North Korean local elections, 1972North Korean local elections, 1975North Korean local elections, 1977North Korean local elections, 1979North Korean local elections, 1981North Korean local elections, 1983North Korean local elections, 1985North Korean local elections, 1987North Korean local elections, 1989North Korean local elections, 1991North Korean local elections, 1993North Korean local elections, 1999North Korean local elections, 2003North Korean local elections, 2007North Korean local elections, 2011North Korean local elections, 2015History of North Korea
Military history of North KoreaTimeline of Japan–North Korea relationsHistory of KoreaKorea under Japanese rule – Japan endeavored to integrate Korea into its empire, exploiting its resources and its peopleSurrender of Japan – marked the end of World War II, and the end of Japanese occupation of KoreaDivision 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 dynastyNorth Korean cult of personalityKim Il-sung (ruled from 1948 to 1994)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 KoreaKorean DMZ Conflict (1966–69)Death and state funeral of Kim Il-sungKim Jong-il (ruled from 1994 to 2011)Kim Jong-un (ruled from 2011 to present)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
North Korea flooding2006 North Korean floods2007 North Korean floods2012 North Korean floodsMassacres in North KoreaMilitary history of North KoreaHistorical military units2nd 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 destructionTimeline of the North Korean nuclear programMissile tests199320062009more201320142016Nuclear tests2006 (reactions)2009 (reactions)2013 (reactions)January 2016 (reactions)September 2016 (reactions)Wars involving North KoreaCulture of North Korea
Architecture of North KoreaCuisine of North KoreaCultural assets of North KoreaLanguages of North KoreaNorth Korean standard languageNorth Korean RussianMedia in North KoreaNational symbols of North KoreaCoat of arms of North KoreaFlag of North KoreaNational anthem of North KoreaProstitution in North KoreaPublic holidays in North KoreaRecords of North KoreaReligion in North KoreaBuddhism in North KoreaChristianity in North KoreaRoman Catholicism in North KoreaHinduism in North KoreaIrreligion in North KoreaIslam in North KoreaList of museums in North KoreaList of World Heritage Sites in North KoreaArt in North KoreaCinema of North KoreaLiterature of North KoreaMusic of North Korea* Smoking in North KoreaNorth Korean filmsNorth Korean literatureList of North Korean actorsList of North Korean filmsList of North Korean flagsList of North Korean football championsList of North Korean musiciansList of North Korean operasList of North Korean records in athleticsList of North Korean television seriesList of films set in or about North KoreaTelevision in North KoreaTheatre in North KoreaList of theatres in North KoreaPeople of North Korea
KoreansNorth Korean diasporaNorth Koreans in RussiaNorth Koreans in South KoreaEthnic groups in North KoreaAmericans in North KoreaChinese North KoreanFrench North KoreanGerman North KoreanJapanese North KoreanJapanese people in North KoreaWomen in North KoreaSport in North Korea
Football in North KoreaNorth Korea at the FIFA World CupNorth Korea national football teamNorth Korea national under-17 football teamNorth Korea national under-20 football teamNorth Korea national under-23 football teamNorth Korea women's national football teamNorth Korea women's national under-17 football teamNorth Korea women's national under-20 football team2010 North Korea national football team results2011 North Korea national football team results2012 North Korea national football team results2009 North Korea national football team resultsList of football clubs in North KoreaList of football stadiums in North KoreaNorth Korea–South Korea football rivalryIce hockey in North KoreaNorth Korea men's national ice hockey teamNorth Korea men's national junior ice hockey teamNorth Korea men's national under-18 ice hockey teamNorth Korea women's national ice hockey teamNorth Korea at the Asian GamesNorth Korea at the 1974 Asian GamesNorth Korea at the 1982 Asian GamesNorth Korea at the 1998 Asian GamesNorth Korea at the 2002 Asian GamesNorth Korea at the 2006 Asian GamesNorth Korea at the 2007 Asian Winter GamesNorth Korea at the 2009 Asian Indoor GamesNorth Korea at the 2010 Asian GamesNorth Korea at the 2011 Asian Winter GamesNorth Korea at the 2014 Asian GamesNorth Korea at the OlympicsNorth Korea at the 1964 Winter OlympicsNorth Korea at the 1972 Summer OlympicsNorth Korea at the 1972 Winter OlympicsNorth Korea at the 1976 Summer OlympicsNorth Korea at the 1980 Summer OlympicsNorth Korea at the 1984 Winter OlympicsNorth Korea at the 1988 Winter OlympicsNorth Korea at the 1992 Summer OlympicsNorth Korea at the 1992 Winter OlympicsNorth Korea at the 1996 Summer OlympicsNorth Korea at the 1998 Winter OlympicsNorth Korea at the 2000 Summer OlympicsNorth Korea at the 2004 Summer OlympicsNorth Korea at the 2006 Winter OlympicsNorth Korea at the 2008 Summer OlympicsNorth Korea at the 2010 Winter OlympicsNorth Korea at the 2012 Summer OlympicsNorth Korea at the 2016 Summer OlympicsNorth Korea at the ParalympicsNorth Korea at the 2012 Summer ParalympicsNorth Korea at the 2016 Summer ParalympicsNorth Korea at the 2009 East Asian GamesNorth Korea at the 2009 World Championships in AthleticsNorth Korea at the 2010 Summer Youth OlympicsNorth Korea at the 2011 World Aquatics ChampionshipsNorth Korea at the 2013 World Aquatics ChampionshipsNorth Korea at the 2015 World Aquatics ChampionshipsNorth Korea at the 2013 World Championships in AthleticsNorth Korea at the 2014 Summer Youth OlympicsNorth Korea at the 2015 World Championships in AthleticsVolleyball in North KoreaNorth Korea women's national volleyball teamNorth Korea national amateur boxing athletesNorth Korea national baseball teamNorth Korea national basketball teamNorth Korea national under-17 basketball teamNorth Korea women's national basketball teamNorth Korea women's national handball teamNorth Korea women's national softball teamNorth Korea women's national under-19 basketball teamNorth Korean records in Olympic weightliftingNorth Korean Championship (ice hockey)North Korean Figure Skating ChampionshipsEconomy and infrastructure of North Korea
Economy of North Korea
Economic rank, by nominal GDP (2007): 155th (one hundred and fifty fifth)Agriculture in North KoreaPotato production in North KoreaBanking in North KoreaNational Bank of North KoreaList of banks in North KoreaCompanies of North KoreaCurrency of North Korea: WonISO 4217: KPWDefense industry of North KoreaEnergy in North KoreaEnergy policy of North KoreaOil industry in North KoreaNuclear power in North KoreaHealth care in North KoreaMining in North KoreaNorth Korea Stock ExchangePoverty in North KoreaShadow economy of North KoreaTaxation in North KoreaTourism in North KoreaWater supply and sanitation in North KoreaList of amusement parks in North KoreaCommunications in North Korea
North Korean postal servicePostage stamps and postal history of North KoreaTelecommunications in North KoreaInternet in North KoreaTelephone numbers in North KoreaMedia of North KoreaList of magazines in North KoreaList of newspapers in North KoreaList of radio stations in North KoreaTransport in North Korea
List of highway airstrips in North KoreaAirports in North KoreaRail transport in North KoreaList of railway stations in North KoreaRailway lines in North KoreaVehicular transport in North KoreaAutomotive industry in North KoreaBridges in North KoreaVehicle registration plates of North KoreaRoads in North KoreaTrams and trolleybuses in North KoreaEducation in North Korea
List of universities in North KoreaHealth in North Korea
Disability in North KoreaHIV/AIDS in North Korea
