North Korea
Geography
North Korea, officially known as the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK), is located in East Asia, occupying the northern half of the Korean Peninsula. It is bordered by China to the north and northwest, Russia to the northeast, and South Korea to the south. To the east is the Sea of Japan, also known as the East Sea, and to the west is the Yellow Sea. North Korea's total land area is approximately 120,540 square kilometers, making it slightly smaller than the U.S. state of Mississippi.
History
The history of North Korea begins with the partition of Korea at the end of World War II in August 1945. The Soviet Union and the United States agreed on the surrender of Japanese forces in Korea in the aftermath of World War II, leaving Korea partitioned along the 38th parallel. The North was under Soviet administration and the South under U.S. administration.
Government and Politics
North Korea is a one-party state governed by the Korean Workers' Party (KWP). The country's government follows the ideology of Juche, a form of Korean nationalism developed by the country's first leader, Kim Il-sung. The government's structure is defined by the constitution, which establishes North Korea as a socialist state and defines the KWP's role as the leading force in the country's political life.
Economy
The economy of North Korea is a centrally planned system, where the role of market allocation is sharply limited – mainly in the agricultural sector where peasants sell produce from small private plots. There are two types of economies in North Korea: a command economy and a shadow economy. The latter is illegal and unofficial, and it is growing because of the economic difficulties the country is facing.
Culture
The culture of North Korea is heavily influenced by its political system and Juche ideology. The government promotes the works and philosophy of Kim Il-sung, a practice that began during his lifetime. Over the decades, this promotion has resulted in a personality cult that is extensively integrated into everyday life in the country. Music, literature, and the arts are state-controlled, and they are used as propaganda tools to reinforce the official state ideology.
Military
The Korean People's Army (KPA) is the military force of North Korea and the armed wing of the KWP. It is one of the largest standing armies in the world, with an estimated total of 1.28 million active personnel, with reserves numbering 600,000 and several paramilitary organizations also in existence.