Page last updated on February 3, 2014

Introduction:
Background:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
An independent kingdom for much of its long history, Korea was occupied by Japan beginning in 1905 following the Russo-Japanese War. Five years later, Japan formally annexed the entire peninsula. Following World War II, Korea was split with the northern half coming under Soviet-sponsored communist control. After failing in the Korean War (1950-53) to conquer the US-backed Republic of Korea (ROK) in the southern portion by force, North Korea (DPRK), under its founder President KIM Il Sung, adopted a policy of ostensible diplomatic and economic "self-reliance" as a check against outside influence. The DPRK demonized the US as the ultimate threat to its social system through state-funded propaganda, and molded political, economic, and military policies around the core ideological objective of eventual unification of Korea under Pyongyang's control. KIM Il Sung's son, KIM Jong Il, was officially designated as his father's successor in 1980, assuming a growing political and managerial role until the elder KIM's death in 1994. KIM Jong Un was publicly unveiled as his father's successor in September 2010. Following KIM Jong Il's death in December 2011, the regime began to take actions to transfer power to KIM Jong Un and KIM has now assumed many his father's former titles and duties. After decades of economic mismanagement and resource misallocation, the DPRK since the mid-1990s has relied heavily on international aid to feed its population. The DPRK began to ease restrictions to allow semi-private markets, starting in 2002, but then sought to roll back the scale of economic reforms in 2005 and 2009. North Korea's history of regional military provocations; proliferation of military-related items; long-range missile development; WMD programs including tests of nuclear devices in 2006, 2009, and 2013; and massive conventional armed forces are of major concern to the international community. The regime in 2013 announced a new policy calling for the simultaneous development of the North's nuclear weapons program and its economy.
Geography:
Location:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
Eastern Asia, northern half of the Korean Peninsula bordering the Korea Bay and the Sea of Japan, between China and South Korea
Geographic coordinates:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
40 00 N, 127 00 E
Map references:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
Asia
Area:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
total: 120,538 sq km
country comparison to the world: 99
land: 120,408 sq km
water: 130 sq km
Area - comparative:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
slightly smaller than Mississippi
Land boundaries:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
total: 1,671.5 km
border countries: China 1,416 km, South Korea 238 km, Russia 17.5 km
Coastline:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
2,495 km
Maritime claims:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
territorial sea: 12 nm
exclusive economic zone: 200 nm
note: military boundary line 50 nm in the Sea of Japan and the exclusive economic zone limit in the Yellow Sea where all foreign vessels and aircraft without permission are banned
Climate:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
temperate with rainfall concentrated in summer
Terrain:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
mostly hills and mountains separated by deep, narrow valleys; coastal plains wide in west, discontinuous in east
Elevation extremes:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
lowest point: Sea of Japan 0 m
highest point: Paektu-san 2,744 m
Natural resources:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
coal, lead, tungsten, zinc, graphite, magnesite, iron ore, copper, gold, pyrites, salt, fluorspar, hydropower
Land use:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
arable land: 19.08%
permanent crops: 1.7%
other: 79.22% (2011)
Irrigated land:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
14,600 sq km (2003)
Total renewable water resources:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
77.15 cu km (2011)
Freshwater withdrawal (domestic/industrial/agricultural):
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
total: 8.66 cu km/yr (10%/13%/76%)
per capita: 360.6 cu m/yr (2005)
Natural hazards:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
late spring droughts often followed by severe flooding; occasional typhoons during the early fall
volcanism: Changbaishan (elev. 2,744 m) (also known as Baitoushan, Baegdu or P'aektu-san), on the Chinese border, is considered historically active
Environment - current issues:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
water pollution; inadequate supplies of potable water; waterborne disease; deforestation; soil erosion and degradation
Environment - international agreements:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
party to: Antarctic Treaty, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution
signed, but not ratified: Law of the Sea
Geography - note:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
strategic location bordering China, South Korea, and Russia; mountainous interior is isolated and sparsely populated
People and Society:
Nationality:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
noun: Korean(s)
adjective: Korean
Ethnic groups:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
racially homogeneous; there is a small Chinese community and a few ethnic Japanese
Languages:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
Korean
Religions:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
traditionally Buddhist and Confucianist, some Christian and syncretic Chondogyo (Religion of the Heavenly Way)
note: autonomous religious activities now almost nonexistent; government-sponsored religious groups exist to provide illusion of religious freedom
Population:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
24,720,407 (July 2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 50
Age structure:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
0-14 years: 21.7% (male 2,726,275/female 2,650,143)
15-24 years: 16.4% (male 2,059,388/female 2,005,987)
25-54 years: 43.8% (male 5,411,221/female 5,415,744)
55-64 years: 8.5% (male 988,922/female 1,108,156)
65 years and over: 9.5% (male 798,363/female 1,556,208) (2013 est.)
population pyramid: "> Dependency ratios:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
total dependency ratio: 45.2 %
youth dependency ratio: 31.5 %
elderly dependency ratio: 13.7 %
potential support ratio: 7.3 (2013)
Median age:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
total: 33.2 years
male: 31.6 years
female: 34.8 years (2013 est.)
Population growth rate:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
0.53% (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 149
Birth rate:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
14.49 births/1,000 population (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 138
Death rate:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
9.15 deaths/1,000 population (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 65
Net migration rate:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
-0.04 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 111
Urbanization:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
urban population: 60.3% of total population (2011)
rate of urbanization: 0.63% annual rate of change (2010-15 est.)
Major urban areas - population:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
PYONGYANG (capital) 2.843 million (2011)
Sex ratio:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female
0-14 years: 1.03 male(s)/female
15-24 years: 1.03 male(s)/female
25-54 years: 1 male(s)/female
55-64 years: 0.89 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.51 male(s)/female
total population: 0.94 male(s)/female (2013 est.)
Maternal mortality rate:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
81 deaths/100,000 live births (2010)
country comparison to the world: 83
Infant mortality rate:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
total: 25.34 deaths/1,000 live births
country comparison to the world: 76
male: 28.1 deaths/1,000 live births
female: 22.44 deaths/1,000 live births (2013 est.)
Life expectancy at birth:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
total population: 69.51 years
country comparison to the world: 155
male: 65.65 years
female: 73.55 years (2013 est.)
Total fertility rate:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
1.99 children born/woman (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 131
Contraceptive prevalence rate:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
68.6% (2002)
Physicians density:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
3.29 physicians/1,000 population (2003)
Hospital bed density:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
13.2 beds/1,000 population (2002)
Drinking water source:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
improved:
unimproved:
Sanitation facility access:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
improved:
unimproved:
HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
NA
HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
NA
HIV/AIDS - deaths:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
NA
Obesity - adult prevalence rate:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
3.9% (2008)
country comparison to the world: 173
Children under the age of 5 years underweight:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
20.6% (2004)
country comparison to the world: 31
Education expenditures:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
NA
Literacy:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
definition: age 15 and over can read and write
total population: 100%
male: 100%
female: 100% (2008 est.)
Government:
Country name:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
conventional long form: Democratic People's Republic of Korea
conventional short form: North Korea
local long form: Choson-minjujuui-inmin-konghwaguk
local short form: Choson
abbreviation: DPRK
Government type:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
Communist state one-man dictatorship
Capital:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
name: Pyongyang
geographic coordinates: 39 01 N, 125 45 E
time difference: UTC+9 (14 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time)
Administrative divisions:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
9 provinces (do, singular and plural) and 2 municipalities (si, singular and plural)
provinces: Chagang-do (Chagang), Hamgyong-bukto (North Hamgyong), Hamgyong-namdo (South Hamgyong), Hwanghae-bukto (North Hwanghae), Hwanghae-namdo (South Hwanghae), Kangwon-do (Kangwon), P'yongan-bukto (North P'yongan), P'yongan-namdo (South P'yongan), Yanggang-do (Yanggang)
municipalities: Nason-si, P'yongyang-si (Pyongyang)
Independence:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
15 August 1945 (from Japan)
National holiday:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
Founding of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK), 9 September (1948)
Constitution:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
previous 1948, 1972 (revised several times); latest adopted 1998 (during KIM Jong Il era); revised 2009, 2012 (2012)
Legal system:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
civil law system based on the Prussian model; system influenced by Japanese traditions and Communist legal theory
International law organization participation:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
has not submitted an ICJ jurisdiction declaration; non-party state to the ICCt
Suffrage:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
17 years of age; universal
Executive branch:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
chief of state: KIM Jong Un (since 17 December 2011); note - the rubberstamp Supreme People's Assembly (SPA) reelected KIM Yong Nam in 2009 president of its Presidium with responsibility of representing state and receiving diplomatic credentials
head of government: Premier PAK Pong-ju (since 2 April 2013); Vice Premiers: HAN Kwang Bok (since 7 June 2010), JO Pyong Ju (since 7 June 2010), JON Ha Chol (since 7 June 2010), KANG Nung Su (since 7 June 2010), KANG Sok Ju (since 23 September 2010), KIM In Sik (since 13 April 2012), KIM Rak Hui (since 7 June 2010), KIM Yong Jin (since 6 January 2012), PAK Su Gil (since 18 September 2009), RI Chol Man (since 13 April 2012), RI Mu Yong (since 31 May 2011), RI Sung Ho (since 13 April 2012), RO Tu Chol (since 3 September 2003)
cabinet: Naegak (cabinet) members, except for Minister of People's Armed Forces, are appointed by SPA
(For more information visit the World Leaders website )
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
elections: last election held in April 2012; date of next election NA
election results: KIM Jong Un elected unopposed
note: the Korean Workers' Party continues to list deceased leaders KIM Il Sung and KIM Jong Il as Eternal President and Eternal General Secretary respectively
Legislative branch:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
unicameral Supreme People's Assembly or Ch'oego Inmin Hoeui (687 seats; members elected by popular vote to serve five-year terms)
elections: last held on 8 March 2009 (next to be held in March 2014)
election results: percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - NA; ruling party approves a list of candidates who are elected without opposition; a token number of seats are reserved for minor parties
Judicial branch:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
highest court(s): Supreme Court or Central Court (consists of the chief justice and two "People's Assessors" and for some cases, 3 judges)
judge selection and term of office: judges elected by the Supreme People's Assembly for 5-year terms
subordinate courts: provincial, municipal, military, special courts; people' courts (lowest level)
Political parties and leaders:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
major party:
minor parties:
Political pressure groups and leaders:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
none
International organization participation:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
ARF, FAO, G-77, ICAO, ICC (NGOs), ICRM, IFAD, IFRCS, IHO, IMO, IOC, IPU, ISO, ITSO, ITU, NAM, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNWTO, UPU, WFTU (NGOs), WHO, WIPO, WMO
Diplomatic representation in the US:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
none; North Korea has a Permanent Mission to the UN in New York
Diplomatic representation from the US:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
none; note - Swedish Embassy in Pyongyang represents the US as consular protecting power
Flag description:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
three horizontal bands of blue (top), red (triple width), and blue; the red band is edged in white; on the hoist side of the red band is a white disk with a red five-pointed star; the broad red band symbolizes revolutionary traditions; the narrow white bands stands for purity, strength, and dignity; the blue bands signify sovereignty, peace, and friendship; the red star represents socialism
National symbol(s):
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
red star
National anthem:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
name: "Aegukka" (Patriotic Song)
lyrics/music: PAK Se Yong/KIM Won Gyun
note: adopted 1947; both North Korea and South Korea's anthems share the same name and have a vaguely similar melody but have different lyrics; the North Korean anthem is also known as "Ach'imun pinnara" (Let Morning Shine)
Economy:
Economy - overview:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
North Korea, one of the world's most centrally directed and least open economies, faces chronic economic problems. Industrial capital stock is nearly beyond repair as a result of years of underinvestment, shortages of spare parts, and poor maintenance. Large-scale military spending draws off resources needed for investment and civilian consumption. Industrial and power output have stagnated for years at a fraction of pre-1990 levels. Frequent weather-related crop failures aggravated chronic food shortages caused by on-going systemic problems, including a lack of arable land, collective farming practices, poor soil quality, insufficient fertilization, and persistent shortages of tractors and fuel. Large-scale international food aid deliveries as well as aid from China has allowed the people of North Korea to escape widespread starvation since famine threatened in 1995, but the population continues to suffer from prolonged malnutrition and poor living conditions. Since 2002, the government has allowed private "farmers' markets" to begin selling a wider range of goods. It also permitted some private farming - on an experimental basis - in an effort to boost agricultural output. In December 2009, North Korea carried out a redenomination of its currency, capping the amount of North Korean won that could be exchanged for the new notes, and limiting the exchange to a one-week window. A concurrent crackdown on markets and foreign currency use yielded severe shortages and inflation, forcing Pyongyang to ease the restrictions by February 2010. In response to the sinking of the South Korean destroyer Cheonan and the shelling of Yeonpyeong Island, South Korea's government cut off most aid, trade, and bilateral cooperation activities, with the exception of operations at the Kaesong Industrial Complex. In 2012, KIM Jong Un's first year of leadership, the North displayed increased focus on the economy by renewing its commitment to special economic zones with China, negotiating a new payment structure to settle its $11 billion Soviet-era debt to Russia, and purportedly proposing new agricultural and industrial policies to boost domestic production. The North Korean government often highlights its goal of becoming a "strong and prosperous" nation and attracting foreign investment, a key factor for improving the overall standard of living. Nevertheless, firm political control remains the government's overriding concern, which likely will inhibit fundamental reforms of North Korea's current economic system.
GDP (purchasing power parity):
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
$40 billion (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 103
note: data are in 2011 US dollars;
GDP (official exchange rate):
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
$28 billion (2009 est.)
GDP - real growth rate:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
0.8% (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 166
GDP - per capita (PPP):
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
$1,800 (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 195
note: data are in 2011 US dollars
GDP - composition, by sector of origin:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
agriculture: 23.3%
industry: 42.9%
services: 33.8% (2012 est.)
Agriculture - products:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
rice, corn, potatoes, soybeans, pulses; cattle, pigs, pork, eggs
Industries:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
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
Industrial production growth rate:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
NA%
Labor force:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
12.2 million
country comparison to the world: 43
note: estimates vary widely (2009 est.)
Labor force - by occupation:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
agriculture: 35%
industry and services: 65% (2008 est.)
Unemployment rate:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
NA%
Population below poverty line:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
NA%
Household income or consumption by percentage share:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
lowest 10%: NA%
highest 10%: NA%
Budget:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
revenues: $3.2 billion
expenditures: $3.3 billion (2007 est.)
Taxes and other revenues:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
11.4% of GDP
country comparison to the world: 205
note: excludes earnings from state-operated enterprises (2007 est.)
Budget surplus (+) or deficit (-):
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
-0.4% of GDP (2007 est.)
country comparison to the world: 54
Fiscal year:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
calendar year
Inflation rate (consumer prices):
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
NA%
Exports:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
$4.707 billion (2011)
country comparison to the world: 115
Exports - commodities:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
minerals, metallurgical products, manufactures (including armaments), textiles, agricultural and fishery products
Exports - partners:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
China 67.2%, South Korea 19.4%, India 3.6% (2011 est.)
Imports:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
$4.33 billion (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 137
Imports - commodities:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
petroleum, coking coal, machinery and equipment, textiles, grain
Imports - partners:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
China 61.6%, South Korea 20%, European Union 4% (2011 est.)
Debt - external:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
$12.5 billion (2001 est.)
country comparison to the world: 94
Exchange rates:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
North Korean won (KPW) per US dollar (market rate)
Energy:
Electricity - production:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
21.04 billion kWh (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 72
Electricity - consumption:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
17.62 billion kWh (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 71
Electricity - exports:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
0 kWh (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 214
Electricity - imports:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
0 kWh (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 205
Electricity - installed generating capacity:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
9.5 million kW (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 59
Electricity - from fossil fuels:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
47.4% of total installed capacity (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 160
Electricity - from nuclear fuels:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
0% of total installed capacity (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 117
Electricity - from hydroelectric plants:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
52.6% of total installed capacity (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 40
Electricity - from other renewable sources:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
0% of total installed capacity (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 187
Crude oil - production:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
87.2 bbl/day (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 124
Crude oil - exports:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
0 bbl/day (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 138
Crude oil - imports:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
6,540 bbl/day (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 78
Crude oil - proved reserves:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
0 bbl (1 January 2013 es)
country comparison to the world: 148
Refined petroleum products - production:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
6,965 bbl/day (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 107
Refined petroleum products - consumption:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
15,070 bbl/day (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 143
Refined petroleum products - exports:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
0 bbl/day (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 187
Refined petroleum products - imports:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
5,787 bbl/day (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 146
Natural gas - production:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
0 cu m (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 148
Natural gas - consumption:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
0 cu m (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 159
Natural gas - exports:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
0 cu m (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 127
Natural gas - imports:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
0 cu m (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 212
Natural gas - proved reserves:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
0 cu m (1 January 2013 es)
country comparison to the world: 154
Carbon dioxide emissions from consumption of energy:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
65.96 million Mt (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 52
Communications:
Telephones - main lines in use:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
1.18 million (2011)
country comparison to the world: 70
Telephones - mobile cellular:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
1.7 million (2012)
country comparison to the world: 148
Telephone system:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
general assessment: adequate system; nationwide fiber-optic network; mobile-cellular service expanding beyond Pyongyang
domestic: fiber-optic links installed down to the county level; telephone directories unavailable; GSM mobile-cellular service initiated in 2002 but suspended in 2004; Orascom Telecom Holding, an Egyptian company, launched W-CDMA mobile service on 15 December 2008 for the Pyongyang area, has expanded service to several large cities and now has a 1-million-person subscriber base
international: country code - 850; satellite earth stations - 2 (1 Intelsat - Indian Ocean, 1 Russian - Indian Ocean region); other international connections through Moscow and Beijing (2011)
Broadcast media:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
no independent media; radios and TVs are pre-tuned to government stations; 4 government-owned TV stations; the Korean Workers' Party owns and operates the Korean Central Broadcasting Station, and the state-run Voice of Korea operates an external broadcast service; the government prohibits listening to and jams foreign broadcasts (2008)
Internet country code:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
.kp
Internet hosts:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
8 (2012)
country comparison to the world: 226
Transportation:
Airports:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
82 (2013)
country comparison to the world: 67
Airports - with paved runways:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
total: 39
over 3,047 m: 3
2,438 to 3,047 m: 22
1,524 to 2,437 m: 8
914 to 1,523 m: 2
under 914 m: 4 (2013)
Airports - with unpaved runways:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
total: 43
2,438 to 3,047 m: 3
1,524 to 2,437 m: 17
914 to 1,523 m: 15
under 914 m:
Heliports:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
23 (2013)
Pipelines:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
oil 6 km (2013)
Railways:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
total: 5,242 km
country comparison to the world: 33
standard gauge: 5,242 km 1.435-m gauge (3,500 km electrified) (2009)
Roadways:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
total: 25,554 km
country comparison to the world: 100
paved: 724 km
unpaved: 24,830 km (2006)
Waterways:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
2,250 km (most navigable only by small craft) (2011)
country comparison to the world: 38
Merchant marine:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
total: 158
country comparison to the world: 37
by type: bulk carrier 6, cargo 131, carrier 1, chemical tanker 1, container 4, passenger/cargo 1, petroleum tanker 12, refrigerated cargo 2
foreign-owned: 13 (Belgium 1, China 3, Nigeria 1, Singapore 1, South Korea 1, Syria 4, UAE 2)
registered in other countries: 6 (Mongolia 1, Sierra Leone 2, unknown 3) (2010)
Ports and terminals:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
major seaport(s): Ch'ongjin, Haeju, Hungnam (Hamhung), Namp'o, Senbong, Songnim, Sonbong (formerly Unggi), Wonsan
Military:
Military branches:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
North Korean People's Army: Ground Forces, Navy, Air Force; civil security forces (2005)
Military service age and obligation:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
18 is presumed to be the legal minimum age for compulsory military service; 16-17 is the presumed legal minimum age for voluntary service (2012)
Manpower available for military service:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
males age 16-49: 6,515,279
females age 16-49: 6,418,693 (2010 est.)
Manpower fit for military service:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
males age 16-49: 4,836,567
females age 16-49: 5,230,137 (2010 est.)
Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
male: 207,737
female: 204,553 (2010 est.)
Transnational Issues:
Disputes - international:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
risking arrest, imprisonment, and deportation, tens of thousands of North Koreans cross into China to escape famine, economic privation, and political oppression; North Korea and China dispute the sovereignty of certain islands in Yalu and Tumen rivers; Military Demarcation Line within the 4-km-wide Demilitarized Zone has separated North from South Korea since 1953; periodic incidents in the Yellow Sea with South Korea which claims the Northern Limiting Line as a maritime boundary; North Korea supports South Korea in rejecting Japan's claim to Liancourt Rocks (Tok-do/Take-shima)
Refugees and internally displaced persons:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
IDPs: undetermined (periodic flooding and famine during mid-1990s) (2007)
Trafficking in persons:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
current situation: North Korea is a source country for men, women, and children who are subjected to forced labor, forced marriage, and sex trafficking; in the recent past, many North Korean women and girls lured by promises of food, jobs, and freedom migrated to China illegally to escape poor social and economic conditions only to be forced into prostitution, marriage, or exploitative labor arrangements; North Koreans do not have a choice in the work the government assigns them and are not free to change jobs at will; many North Korean workers recruited to work abroad under bilateral contracts with foreign governments are subjected to forced labor and reportedly face government reprisals if they try to escape or complain to outsiders; thousands of North Koreans, including children, are subjected to forced labor in prison camps
tier rating: Tier 3 - North Korea does not fully comply with minimum standards for the elimination of trafficking and is not making significant efforts to do so; the government has conducted no known investigations, prosecutions, or convictions of trafficking offenders or officials complicit in forced labor or forced prostitution; the government also has reported no efforts to identify or assist trafficking victims and continues to deny human trafficking is a problem; authorities provide no discernible protection services to trafficking victims and does not permit NGOs to assist victims (2013)