Country Profile: Korea, North

North Korea, officially the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK), is a highly centralized and isolated nation located in East Asia on the northern half of the Korean Peninsula. It is bordered by China to the north, South Korea to the south, and Russia to the northeast, with a terrain characterized by hills and mountains. The country's population is approximately 26.3 million people, predominantly Korean, and it endures a challenging economic landscape heavily influenced by international sanctions and reliance on China. Governed by an autocratic regime led by Kim Jong Un, North Korea maintains a strict one-party system and tightly controls information and resources, resulting in significant human rights concerns.

Geography

North Korea is strategically positioned in Eastern Asia, bordering both the Korea Bay and the Sea of Japan. The country covers an area of 120,538 sq km, featuring mostly mountainous terrain with deep valleys, and a coastline of 2,495 km. The climate is temperate, experiencing long, harsh winters and concentrated rainfall in the summer months.

Highest point: Paektu-san at 2,744 m
Natural resources: Includes coal, iron ore, and precious metals
Forest cover: Approximately 49.7% of the land
Irrigated land: 14,600 sq km (2012)
Agricultural land: 21.5% of total land use (2022 est.)

People and Society

The population of North Korea is estimated at 26,298,666 in 2024, predominantly homogeneous with a small Chinese community and a few ethnic Japanese. The society is influenced by Confucianism and traditional Buddhism, though autonomous religious activities are nearly nonexistent. The estimated life expectancy is 73.5 years, and the country faces challenges such as food shortages and limited healthcare access.

Urban Population: 63.2% of the total population (2023)
Birth rate: 13.2 births/1,000 population (2024)
Death rate: 9.2 deaths/1,000 population (2024)
Total fertility rate: 1.81 children born/woman (2024)
Median Age: 35.9 years (2024 est.)

Economy

North Korea operates one of the last centrally planned economies in the world, severely affected by international sanctions, crop failures, and isolationist policies. The country's economy is heavily reliant on China, with GDP (PPP) estimated at $40 billion (2015 est.) and a reported unemployment rate of 2.9% as of 2024.

Labor force: 17.637 million (2024 est.)
Exports: Primarily to China (74% in 2023) with key commodities including fake hair and iron alloys.
Imports: Also predominantly from China (97% in 2023).
Electricity Consumption: 22.448 billion kWh (2023 est.)
Economic Growth: Continues to decline due to ongoing sanctions and mismanagement.

Government

North Korea is officially a single-party communist state under the leadership of the Workers' Party of Korea (WPK). The government is characterized by an autocratic regime, with Kim Jong Un serving as the supreme leader since December 2011. The Supreme People's Assembly functions as a legislative body but largely serves to rubberstamp decisions made by the WPK.

Capital: Pyongyang
Administrative Divisions: 9 provinces and 4 special cities
Suffrage: Universal and compulsory at 17 years of age
Constitution: Last adopted in 1998
Key Political Parties: Korean Workers' Party (KWP) dominates the political landscape.

Military and Security

The military, known as the Korean People's Army (KPA), consists of approximately 1-1.3 million active-duty personnel. Military expenditures account for 16% of state expenditures in 2024, emphasizing the regime's focus on defense and weapons development, including nuclear capabilities.

Compulsory Military Service: Required for both men and women, with obligations ranging from 5 to 13 years.
Major Military Equipment: Utilizes older systems from the Soviet Union, China, and domestically produced weapons.
Military Spending: Estimated between $7 billion to $11 billion annually (2010-2020).
Defensive Strategy: Focuses on perceived threats from South Korea and the US, with significant resources allocated to missile and nuclear programs.

Energy

North Korea's energy sector is mostly reliant on coal and hydroelectric power. The country faces significant challenges with electricity access, with only 54.7% of the population having access as of 2022.

Installed Electricity Capacity: 8.357 million kW (2023 est.)
Coal Production: 21.928 million metric tons (2023 est.)
Refined Petroleum Consumption: 18,000 bbl/day (2023 est.)
Carbon Dioxide Emissions: 55.744 million metric tonnes (2023 est.)

Environment

Environmental issues in North Korea include water pollution and deforestation, compounded by inadequate potable water. The country is a party to several international environmental agreements, although it struggles with compliance.

Urbanization Rate: 0.85% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.)
Total Renewable Water Resources: 77.15 billion cubic meters (2020 est.)
Agricultural Land Use: 21.5% of total land (2022 est.)

Transportation

North Korea's transportation infrastructure includes a network of railways and roads primarily used for military logistics and state control. The country operates various ports and airports but remains underdeveloped compared to global standards.

Airports: 81 (2025 est.)
Railways: Total length of 7,435 km (2014)
Merchant Marine: 264 vessels (2023)
Key Ports: Includes Ch'ongjin, Hungnam, and Wonsan.

Communications

Telecommunications in North Korea are tightly controlled, with the government operating all media and communication channels. Access to foreign media is heavily restricted.

Fixed Telephone Lines: Approximately 1.18 million subscriptions (2021 est.)
Mobile Cellular Subscriptions: About 6 million (2021 est.)
Broadcast Media: No independent media; government controls all channels.

Key Metrics

Metric	Value	Note
Population	26,298,666	2024 estimate
Area	120,538 sq km	Total area
GDP (PPP)	$40 billion	Estimated 2015
Unemployment Rate	2.9%	2024 estimate
Birth Rate	13.2 births/1,000	2024 estimate
Death Rate	9.2 deaths/1,000	2024 estimate
Life Expectancy	73.5 years	2024 estimate
Energy Consumption per Capita	23.83 million Btu	2023 estimate
Electric Access	54.7%	2022 estimate