North Korea was established in 1948 following the division of Korea after World War II. The Korean War (1950–1953) resulted in a permanent split with South Korea. Since then, North Korea has been ruled by the Kim dynasty under a strict communist regime. It remains isolated from much of the world, with a state-controlled economy and a focus on military development.
North Korea, officially the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK), is a country in East Asia, occupying the northern part of the Korean Peninsula. It is bordered by China and Russia to the north, and South Korea to the south, with coastlines along the Yellow Sea and the Sea of Japan. Covering an area of approximately 120,540 square kilometers, North Korea has a population of about 25 million people as of 2023. The capital and largest city is Pyongyang. The official language is Korean. North Korea operates as a single-party state under a centralized government, with the Workers' Party of Korea as the ruling party. The economy is state-controlled, with key industries including mining, manufacturing, and agriculture. North Korea is known for its isolationist policies, military capabilities, and a strong emphasis on self-reliance, known as Juche. The country is a member of international organizations such as the United Nations, but faces various international sanctions due to its nuclear program.