North Korea

North Korea, officially known as the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK), is a sovereign state in East Asia occupying the northern half of the Korean Peninsula. It shares land borders with China to the north-west, Russia to the north-east, and South Korea to the south, with the Demilitarised Zone (DMZ) forming the boundary between the two Koreas. The capital and largest city is Pyongyang. North Korea is one of the most politically isolated and centrally controlled states in the world.

Geography and Physical Features

North Korea covers an area of approximately 120,540 square kilometres. The country is largely mountainous, with narrow coastal plains along the Yellow Sea (to the west) and the Sea of Japan (referred to domestically as the East Sea) to the east.
Key geographical features include:

• Paektu Mountain (Mount Paektu), the highest peak at 2,744 metres, located on the border with China
• The Yalu (Amnok) River and Tumen River, forming much of the northern border
• Extensive forested uplands and river valleys
• Limited arable land, concentrated mainly in western lowlands

The climate is temperate with distinct seasons, including cold winters and hot, humid summers. Natural disasters such as floods and droughts periodically affect agricultural production.

Historical Background

The Korean Peninsula was annexed by Japan in 1910 and remained under Japanese colonial rule until the end of the Second World War in 1945. After Japan’s defeat, Korea was divided along the 38th parallel, with the Soviet Union administering the north and the United States the south.
In 1948, two separate states were established: North Korea in the north and South Korea in the south. <u><b>Kim Il-sung</b></u> became the founding leader of North Korea. In 1950, North Korean forces invaded South Korea, leading to the Korean War (1950–1953). The conflict ended with an armistice rather than a peace treaty, leaving the peninsula technically still at war.
Following the war, North Korea rebuilt its economy with Soviet and Chinese support. It developed a highly centralised socialist system based on state ownership and planning. After the collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991, the country faced severe economic difficulties, culminating in a devastating famine in the mid-1990s.

Political System and Ideology

North Korea is officially a socialist republic, but it operates as a one-party state under the leadership of the Workers’ Party of Korea. Political authority is concentrated in the Supreme Leader.
The leadership has remained within the Kim family:

• Kim Il-sung (1948–1994)
• Kim Jong-il (1994–2011)
• Kim Jong-un (2011–present)

The state ideology is based on Juche, often translated as “self-reliance”. Juche emphasises political independence, economic self-sufficiency, and military strength. In practice, the system combines elements of Marxism-Leninism with strong nationalist principles and a personality cult surrounding the leadership.
Elections are held, but candidates are pre-selected by the ruling party, and there is no genuine political opposition. Civil liberties, including freedom of speech, press, and movement, are severely restricted.

Economy and Resources

North Korea has a centrally planned economy. Major sectors include heavy industry, mining, military production, and agriculture. The country possesses natural resources such as coal, iron ore, magnesite, and rare earth elements.
However, economic performance has been constrained by:

• International sanctions linked to its nuclear and missile programmes
• Limited foreign investment
• Outdated infrastructure and technology
• Chronic food shortages

Agriculture is organised through cooperative farms, but limited arable land and frequent natural disasters reduce productivity. Food insecurity has been a persistent issue since the 1990s.
In recent years, informal markets, known as “jangmadang”, have expanded, providing citizens with access to goods beyond the state distribution system. Nonetheless, the state retains strict control over major economic activities.

Nuclear Programme and International Relations

North Korea’s nuclear weapons programme is a central feature of its national strategy. The country withdrew from the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) in 2003 and conducted its first nuclear test in 2006.
Subsequent developments include:

• Multiple nuclear tests
• Intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) launches
• Ongoing military development despite sanctions

These actions have led to extensive sanctions imposed by the United Nations, the United States, and other countries. Diplomatic efforts, including summits between Kim Jong-un and foreign leaders, have occurred intermittently, but denuclearisation negotiations remain unresolved.
North Korea maintains close political ties with China, which is its principal trading partner and source of economic support.

Society and Culture

North Korean society is highly regulated. The government controls media, education, and cultural production. All media outlets are state-owned, and access to foreign information is tightly restricted.
The population is ethnically homogeneous, consisting almost entirely of Koreans. The official language is Korean, using the Hangul script.
The state classifies citizens according to a system known as “songbun”, which categorises individuals based on family background and perceived political loyalty. This classification influences access to education, employment, and housing.
Education is compulsory and heavily emphasises ideological training alongside science and technical subjects. Healthcare is officially universal and state-provided, though resources are limited.
Cultural expression, including music, art, and literature, often centres on revolutionary themes and praise for the leadership. Large-scale mass events, such as military parades and synchronised performances, are used to demonstrate national unity and state power.

Human Rights and Global Perception

International organisations have frequently criticised North Korea for human rights violations. Reports have highlighted issues such as:

• Restrictions on freedom of expression and religion
• Political prison camps
• Forced labour
• Severe limitations on movement

The government rejects many of these accusations, asserting its sovereignty and security concerns.