Introduction
Background
An independent kingdom for much of its history, following World War II, Korea was split with the northern half coming under Soviet-sponsored communist control. North Korea, under its founder, President KIM Il Sung, adopted a policy of diplomatic and economic "self-reliance" as a check against outside influence. KIM Jong Il, was officially designated as his father's successor in 1980, followed in 2011 by current leader KIM Jong Un.
Geography
Area
total: 120,538 sq km
land: 120,408 sq km
water: 130 sq km
Climate
temperate, with rainfall concentrated in summer; long, bitter winters
Natural resources
coal, iron ore, limestone, magnesite, graphite, copper, zinc, lead, precious metals, hydropower
People and Society
Population
26,072,217 (2023 est.)
Ethnic groups
racially homogeneous; there is a small Chinese community and a few ethnic Japanese
Languages
Korean
Religions
traditionally Buddhist and Confucian, some Christian and syncretic Chondogyo (Religion of the Heavenly Way)
Population growth rate
0.4% (2023 est.)
Government
Government type
dictatorship, single-party state; official state ideology of "Juche" or "national self-reliance"
Capital
name: Pyongyang
Executive branch
chief of state: State Affairs Commission President KIM Jong Un (since 17 December 2011); note - within the North Korean system, KIM Jong Un's role as chief of state is secondary to his role as general secretary of the Korean Workers' Party; chief of state is used to engage with non-communist countries such as the US; North Korea revised its constitution in 2019 to define "the Chairman of the State Affairs Commission" as "the supreme leader who represents the state"; functions as the commander-in-chief and chief executive; the specific titles associated with this office have changed multiple times under KIM's tenure, however, KIM Jong Un has been supreme leader since his father's death in 2011
head of government: Supreme People's Assembly President CHOE Ryong Hae (since 11 April 2019); note - functions as the technical head of state and performs related duties, such as receiving ambassadors' credentials
Legislative branch
description: unicameral Supreme People's Assembly or Ch'oego Inmin Hoeui (687 seats; members directly elected by majority vote in 2 rounds if needed to serve 5-year terms); note - functions as a rubberstamp legislature; the Korean Workers' Party selects all candidates
Economy
Economic overview
one of the last centrally planned economies; hard hit by COVID-19, crop failures, international sanctions, and isolationist policies; declining growth and trade, and heavily reliant on China; poor exchange rate stability; economic data integrity issues
Real GDP (purchasing power parity)
$40 billion (2015 est.)
$40 billion (2014 est.)
$40 billion (2013 est.)
Real GDP per capita
$1,700 (2015 est.)
$1,800 (2014 est.)
$1,800 (2013 est.)
Agricultural products
rice, maize, vegetables, apples, potatoes, cabbages, fruit, sweet potatoes, beans, soybeans
Industries
military products; machine building, electric power, chemicals; mining (coal, iron ore, limestone, magnesite, graphite, copper, zinc, lead, and precious metals), metallurgy; textiles, food processing; tourism
Exports
$222 million (2018)
$4.582 billion (2017 est.)
$2.908 billion (2015 est.)
Exports - partners
China 67%, Suriname 6% (2019)
Exports - commodities
refined petroleum, iron alloys, electricity, cars, vaccines and cultures (2021)
Imports
$2.32 billion (2018 est.)
$3.86 billion (2016 est.)
Imports - partners
China 96% (2019)
Imports - commodities
clothing and apparel, soybean oil, rice, wheat products, clocks/watches (2019)
Exchange rates
North Korean won (KPW) per US dollar (average market rate)
Exchange rates:
135 (2017 est.)
130 (2016 est.)
130 (2015 est.)
98.5 (2013 est.)
155.5 (2012 est.)
Page last updated: Tuesday, December 12, 2023
