2017 Edition

Background

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 2010. Following KIM Jong Il's death in 2011, KIM Jong Un quickly assumed power and has now taken on most of his father's former titles and duties. After decades of economic mismanagement and resource misallocation, the DPRK since the mid-1990s has faced chronic food shortages. In recent years, the North’s domestic agricultural production has increased, but still falls far short of producing sufficient food to provide for its entire population. The DPRK began to ease restrictions to allow semi-private markets, starting in 2002, but has made few other efforts to meet its goal of improving the overall standard of living. 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, 2013, 2016, and 2017; and massive conventional armed forces are of major concern to the international community and have limited the DPRK’s international engagement, particularly economically. The regime abides by a policy calling for the simultaneous development of its nuclear weapons program and its economy.

Area

120,538 sq km 120,408 sq km 130 sq km

land

120,408 sq km

total

120,538 sq km

water

130 sq km

Area - comparative

slightly larger than Virginia; slightly smaller than Mississippi

Climate

temperate, with rainfall concentrated in summer; long, bitter winters

Coastline

2,495 km

Elevation

600 m lowest point: Sea of Japan 0 m highest point: Paektu-san 2,744 m

elevation extremes

lowest point: Sea of Japan 0 m

highest point

Paektu-san 2,744 m

mean elevation

600 m

Environment - current issues

water pollution; inadequate supplies of potable water; waterborne disease; deforestation; soil erosion and degradation

Environment - international agreements

Antarctic Treaty, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution Law of the Sea

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

Geographic coordinates

40 00 N, 127 00 E

Geography - note

strategic location bordering China, South Korea, and Russia; mountainous interior is isolated and sparsely populated

Irrigated land

14,600 sq km (2012)

Land boundaries

1,607 km China 1,352 km, South Korea 237 km, Russia 18 km

border countries (3)

China 1,352 km, South Korea 237 km, Russia 18 km

total

1,607 km

Land use

21.8% arable land 19.5%; permanent crops 1.9%; permanent pasture 0.4% 46% 32.2% (2011 est.)

agricultural land

21.8%

forest

46%

other

32.2% (2011 est.)

Location

Eastern Asia, northern half of the Korean Peninsula bordering the Korea Bay and the Sea of Japan, between China and South Korea

Map references

Asia

Maritime claims

12 nm 200 nm 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

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

territorial sea

12 nm

Natural hazards

late spring droughts often followed by severe flooding; occasional typhoons during the early fall Changbaishan (2,744 m) (also known as Baitoushan, Baegdu or P'aektu-san), on the Chinese border, is considered historically active

volcanism

Changbaishan (2,744 m) (also known as Baitoushan, Baegdu or P'aektu-san), on the Chinese border, is considered historically active

Natural resources

coal, iron ore, limestone, magnesite, graphite, copper, zinc, lead, precious metals, hydropower

Population - distribution

population concentrated in the plains and lowlands; least populated regions are the mountainous provinces adjacent to the Chinese border; largest concentrations are in the western provinces, particularly the municipal district of Pyongyang, and around Hungnam and Wonsan in the east

Terrain

mostly hills and mountains separated by deep, narrow valleys; wide coastal plains in west, discontinuous in east

Age structure

20.78% (male 2,670,884/female 2,576,846) 15.59% (male 1,982,045/female 1,955,220) 44.28% (male 5,608,520/female 5,572,000) 9.77% (male 1,166,680/female 1,301,201) 9.56% (male 826,735/female 1,588,009) (2017 est.)

0-14 years

20.78% (male 2,670,884/female 2,576,846)

15-24 years

15.59% (male 1,982,045/female 1,955,220)

25-54 years

44.28% (male 5,608,520/female 5,572,000)

55-64 years

9.77% (male 1,166,680/female 1,301,201)

65 years and over

9.56% (male 826,735/female 1,588,009) (2017 est.)

Birth rate

14.6 births/1,000 population (2017 est.)

Children under the age of 5 years underweight

15.2% (2012)

Contraceptive prevalence rate

78.2% percent of women aged 20-49 (2014)

note

percent of women aged 20-49 (2014)

Death rate

9.3 deaths/1,000 population (2017 est.)

Dependency ratios

44.5 30.5 7.1 (2015 est.)

elderly dependency ratio

14

potential support ratio

7.1 (2015 est.)

total dependency ratio

44.5

youth dependency ratio

30.5

Drinking water source

urban: 99.9% of population rural: 99.4% of population total: 99.7% of population urban: 0.1% of population rural: 0.6% of population total: 0.3% of population (2015 est.)

rural

0.6% of population

total

0.3% of population (2015 est.)

urban

0.1% of population

Education expenditures

NA

Ethnic groups

racially homogeneous; there is a small Chinese community and a few ethnic Japanese

HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate

NA

HIV/AIDS - deaths

NA

Hospital bed density

13.2 beds/1,000 population (2012)

Infant mortality rate

22.1 deaths/1,000 live births 24.6 deaths/1,000 live births 19.5 deaths/1,000 live births (2017 est.)

female

19.5 deaths/1,000 live births (2017 est.)

male

24.6 deaths/1,000 live births

total

22.1 deaths/1,000 live births

Languages

Korean

Life expectancy at birth

70.7 years 66.9 years 74.8 years (2017 est.)

female

74.8 years (2017 est.)

male

66.9 years

total population

70.7 years

Literacy

age 15 and over can read and write 100% 100% 100% (2015 est.)

definition

age 15 and over can read and write

female

100% (2015 est.)

male

100%

total population

100%

Major urban areas - population

PYONGYANG (capital) 2.863 million (2015)

Maternal mortality ratio

82 deaths/100,000 live births (2015 est.)

Median age

34 years 32.5 years 35.6 years (2017 est.)

female

35.6 years (2017 est.)

male

32.5 years

total

34 years

Nationality

Korean(s) Korean

adjective

Korean

noun

Korean(s)

Net migration rate

0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2017 est.)

Obesity - adult prevalence rate

6.8% (2016)

Physicians density

2.78 physicians/1,000 population (2011)

Population

25,248,140 (July 2017 est.)

Population distribution

population concentrated in the plains and lowlands; least populated regions are the mountainous provinces adjacent to the Chinese border; largest concentrations are in the western provinces, particularly the municipal district of Pyongyang, and around Hungnam and Wonsan in the east

Population growth rate

0.53% (2017 est.)

Religions

traditionally Buddhist and Confucianist, some Christian and syncretic Chondogyo (Religion of the Heavenly Way) autonomous religious activities now almost nonexistent; government-sponsored religious groups exist to provide illusion of religious freedom

note

autonomous religious activities now almost nonexistent; government-sponsored religious groups exist to provide illusion of religious freedom

Sanitation facility access

urban: 87.9% of population rural: 72.5% of population total: 81.9% of population urban: 12.1% of population rural: 27.5% of population total: 18.1% of population (2015 est.)

rural

27.5% of population

total

18.1% of population (2015 est.)

urban

12.1% of population

School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education)

11 years 11 years 11 years (2015)

female

11 years (2015)

male

11 years

total

11 years

Sex ratio

1.05 male(s)/female 1.03 male(s)/female 1.02 male(s)/female 1.01 male(s)/female 0.9 male(s)/female 0.53 male(s)/female 0.94 male(s)/female (2016 est.)

0-14 years

1.03 male(s)/female

15-24 years

1.02 male(s)/female

25-54 years

1.01 male(s)/female

55-64 years

0.9 male(s)/female

65 years and over

0.53 male(s)/female

at birth

1.05 male(s)/female

total population

0.94 male(s)/female (2016 est.)

Total fertility rate

1.95 children born/woman (2017 est.)

Urbanization

61.2% of total population (2017) 0.8% annual rate of change (2015-20 est.)

rate of urbanization

0.8% annual rate of change (2015-20 est.)

urban population

61.2% of total population (2017)

Administrative divisions

9 provinces (do, singular and plural) and 2 cities (si, singular and plural) Chagang, Hambuk (North Hamgyong), Hamnam (South Hamgyong), Hwangbuk (North Hwanghae), Hwangnam (South Hwanghae), Kangwon, P'yongbuk (North Pyongan), P'yongnam (South Pyongan), Ranggang Namp'o, P'yongyang, Rason Namp'o is sometimes designated as a metropolitan city, P'yongyang as a capital city, and Rason as a special city

cities

Namp'o, P'yongyang, Rason

note

Namp'o is sometimes designated as a metropolitan city, P'yongyang as a capital city, and Rason as a special city

provinces

Chagang, Hambuk (North Hamgyong), Hamnam (South Hamgyong), Hwangbuk (North Hwanghae), Hwangnam (South Hwanghae), Kangwon, P'yongbuk (North Pyongan), P'yongnam (South Pyongan), Ranggang

Capital

Pyongyang 39 01 N, 125 45 E UTC+8.5 (13.5 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time) on 15 August 2015, North Korea reverted to UTC+8.5, a time zone that had been observed during pre-colonial times

geographic coordinates

39 01 N, 125 45 E

name

Pyongyang

note

on 15 August 2015, North Korea reverted to UTC+8.5, a time zone that had been observed during pre-colonial times

time difference

UTC+8.5 (13.5 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time)

Citizenship

no at least one parent must be a citizen of North Korea no unknown

citizenship by birth

no

citizenship by descent only

at least one parent must be a citizen of North Korea

dual citizenship recognized

no

residency requirement for naturalization

unknown

Constitution

previous 1948, 1972; latest adopted 1998; revised 2009, 2012, 2013 (2016)

Country name

Democratic People's Republic of Korea North Korea Choson-minjujuui-inmin-konghwaguk Choson DPRK derived from the Chinese name for Goryeo, which was the Korean dynasty that united the peninsula in the 10th century A.D.; the North Korean name "Choson" means "[Land of the] Morning Calm"

abbreviation

DPRK

conventional long form

Democratic People's Republic of Korea

conventional short form

North Korea

etymology

derived from the Chinese name for Goryeo, which was the Korean dynasty that united the peninsula in the 10th century A.D.; the North Korean name "Choson" means "[Land of the] Morning Calm"

local long form

Choson-minjujuui-inmin-konghwaguk

local short form

Choson

Diplomatic representation from the US

none; note - Swedish Embassy in Pyongyang represents the US as consular protecting power

Diplomatic representation in the US

none; North Korea has a Permanent Mission to the UN in New York

Executive branch

Supreme People's Assembly President KIM Yong Nam (since 5 September 1998); note - functions as the technical head of state and performs related duties, such as receiving ambassadors' credentials State Affairs Commission Chairman KIM Jong Un (since 17 December 2011); note - functions as the commander-in-chief and chief executive Cabinet or Naegak members appointed by the Supreme People's Assembly except the Minister of People's Armed Forces chief of state and premier indirectly elected by the Supreme People's Assembly; election last held on 9 March 2014 (next election NA) KIM Jong Un reelected unopposed the Korean Workers' Party continues to list deceased leaders KIM Il Sung and KIM Jong Il as Eternal President and Eternal General Secretary respectively

cabinet

Cabinet or Naegak members appointed by the Supreme People's Assembly except the Minister of People's Armed Forces

chief of state

Supreme People's Assembly President KIM Yong Nam (since 5 September 1998); note - functions as the technical head of state and performs related duties, such as receiving ambassadors' credentials

election results

KIM Jong Un reelected unopposed

elections/appointments

chief of state and premier indirectly elected by the Supreme People's Assembly; election last held on 9 March 2014 (next election NA)

head of government

State Affairs Commission Chairman KIM Jong Un (since 17 December 2011); note - functions as the commander-in-chief and chief executive

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

Flag description

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 stand for purity, strength, and dignity; the blue bands signify sovereignty, peace, and friendship; the red star represents socialism

Government type

single-party state; official state ideology of "Juche" or "national self-reliance

Independence

15 August 1945 (from Japan)

International law organization participation

has not submitted an ICJ jurisdiction declaration; non-party state to the ICCt

International organization participation

ARF, FAO, G-77, ICAO, ICRM, IFAD, IFRCS, IHO, IMO, IMSO, IOC, IPU, ISO, ITSO, ITU, NAM, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNWTO, UPU, WFTU (NGOs), WHO, WIPO, WMO

Judicial branch

Supreme Court or Central Court (consists of one judge and 2 "People's Assessors" or for some cases, 3 judges) judges elected by the Supreme People's Assembly for 5-year terms lower provincial courts as determined by the Supreme People's Assembly

highest court(s)

Supreme Court or Central Court (consists of one judge and 2 "People's Assessors" or 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

lower provincial courts as determined by the Supreme People's Assembly

Legal system

civil law system based on the Prussian model; system influenced by Japanese traditions and Communist legal theory

Legislative branch

unicameral Supreme People's Assembly or Ch'oego Inmin Hoeui (687 seats; members directly elected by absolute majority vote to serve 5-year terms); note - the Korean Workers' Party selects all candidates last held on 9 March 2014 (next to be held in March 2019) percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - KWP 607, KSDF 50, Chondoist Chongu Party 22, Chongryon 5, religious associations 3; ruling party approves a list of candidates who are elected without opposition; KWP, KSDP, Chondoist Chongu Party, and Chongryon are part of the DFRF; a token number of seats are reserved for minor parties

description

unicameral Supreme People's Assembly or Ch'oego Inmin Hoeui (687 seats; members directly elected by absolute majority vote to serve 5-year terms); note - the Korean Workers' Party selects all candidates

election results

percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - KWP 607, KSDF 50, Chondoist Chongu Party 22, Chongryon 5, religious associations 3; ruling party approves a list of candidates who are elected without opposition; KWP, KSDP, Chondoist Chongu Party, and Chongryon are part of the DFRF; a token number of seats are reserved for minor parties

elections

last held on 9 March 2014 (next to be held in March 2019)

National anthem

"Aegukka" (Patriotic Song) PAK Se Yong/KIM Won Gyun adopted 1947; both North Korea's 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)

lyrics/music

PAK Se Yong/KIM Won Gyun

name

"Aegukka" (Patriotic Song)

note

adopted 1947; both North Korea's 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)

National holiday

Founding of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK), 9 September (1948)

National symbol(s)

red star, chollima (winged horse); national colors: red, white, blue

red star, chollima (winged horse); national colors

red, white, blue

Political parties and leaders

Democratic Front for the Reunification of the Fatherland or DFRF Korean Workers' Party or KWP [KIM Jong Un] General Association of Korean Residents in Japan or Chongryon Chondoist Chongu Party (under KWP control) Social Democratic Party or KSDP [KIM Yong Dae] (under KWP control)

major parties

Democratic Front for the Reunification of the Fatherland or DFRF

minor parties

Chondoist Chongu Party (under KWP control)

Political pressure groups and leaders

none

Suffrage

17 years of age; universal and compulsory

Agriculture - products

rice, corn, potatoes, wheat, soybeans, pulses, beef, pork, eggs

Budget

$3.2 billion $3.3 billion (2007 est.)

expenditures

$3.3 billion (2007 est.)

revenues

$3.2 billion

Budget surplus (+) or deficit (-)

-0.4% of GDP (2007 est.)

Debt - external

$5 billion (2013 est.)

Economy - overview

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 and development of its ballistic missile and nuclear program severely draws off resources needed for investment and civilian consumption. Industrial and power outputs 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. The mid 1990s were marked by severe famine and widespread starvation. Significant food aid was provided by the international community through 2009. Since that time, food assistance has declined significantly. In the last few years, domestic corn and rice production has improved, although domestic production does not fully satisfy demand. A large portion of the population continues to suffer from prolonged malnutrition and poor living conditions. Since 2002, the government has allowed semi-private markets to begin selling a wider range of goods, allowing North Koreans to partially make up for diminished public distribution system rations. It also implemented changes in the management process of communal farms 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 warship Cheonan and the shelling of Yeonpyeong Island in 2010, South Korea’s government cut off most aid, trade, and bilateral cooperation activities. In February 2016, South Korea ceased its remaining bilateral economic activity by closing the Kaesong Industrial Complex in response to North Korea’s fourth nuclear test a month earlier. This nuclear test and another in September 2016 resulted in two United Nations Security Council Resolutions that targeted North Korea’s foreign currency earnings, particularly coal and other mineral exports. Over the last decade, China has been North Korea’s primary trading partner. The North Korean Government continues to stress its goal of improving the overall standard of living, but has taken few steps to make that goal a reality for its populace. In 2016, the regime used two mass mobilizations — one totaling 70 days and another 200 days — to spur the population to increase production and complete construction projects quickly. The regime released a five-year economic development strategy in May 2016 that outlined plans for promoting growth across sectors. Firm political control remains the government’s overriding concern, which likely will inhibit formal changes to North Korea’s current economic system.

Exchange rates

North Korean won (KPW) per US dollar (average market rate) 130 (2016 est.) 130 (2015 est.) 98.5 (2013 est.) 155.5 (2012 est.)

Exports

$2.985 billion (2016 est.) $2.908 billion (2015 est.)

Exports - commodities

minerals, metallurgical products, manufactures (including armaments), textiles, agricultural and fishery products

Exports - partners

China 85.6% (2016)

Fiscal year

calendar year

GDP - composition, by end use

NA% NA% NA% NA% 5.9% -11.1% (2014 est.)

exports of goods and services

5.9%

government consumption

NA%

household consumption

NA%

imports of goods and services

-11.1% (2014 est.)

investment in fixed capital

NA%

investment in inventories

NA%

GDP - composition, by sector of origin

25.3% 41.1% 33.6% (2016 est.)

agriculture

25.3%

industry

41.1%

services

33.6% (2016 est.)

GDP - per capita (PPP)

$1,700 (2015 est.) $1,800 (2014 est.) $1,800 (2013 est.) data are in 2014 US dollars

note

data are in 2014 US dollars

GDP - real growth rate

-1.1% (2015 est.) 1% (2014 est.) 1.1% (2013 est.)

GDP (official exchange rate)

$28 billion (2013 est.)

GDP (purchasing power parity)

$40 billion (2015 est.) $40 billion (2014 est.) $40 billion (2013 est.) data are in 2014 US dollars; North Korea does not publish reliable National Income Accounts data; the data shown are derived from purchasing power parity (PPP) GDP estimates for North Korea that were made by Angus MADDISON in a study conducted for the OECD; his figure for 1999 was extrapolated to 2015 using estimated real growth rates for North Korea's GDP and an inflation factor based on the US GDP deflator; the results were rounded to the nearest $10 billion.

note

data are in 2014 US dollars;

Gross national saving

NA%

Household income or consumption by percentage share

NA% NA%

highest 10%

NA%

lowest 10%

NA%

Imports

$3.752 billion (2016 est.) $3.711 billion (2015 est.)

Imports - commodities

petroleum, coking coal, machinery and equipment, textiles, grain

Imports - partners

China 90.3% (2016)

Industrial production growth rate

3% (2016 est.)

Industries

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

Inflation rate (consumer prices)

NA%

Labor force

14 million estimates vary widely (2014 est.)

note

estimates vary widely (2014 est.)

Labor force - by occupation

37% 63% (2008 est.)

agriculture

37%

industry and services

63% (2008 est.)

Population below poverty line

NA%

Taxes and other revenues

11.4% of GDP excludes earnings from state-operated enterprises (2007 est.)

note

excludes earnings from state-operated enterprises (2007 est.)

Unemployment rate

25.6% (2013 est.) 25.5% (2012 est.)

Carbon dioxide emissions from consumption of energy

50 million Mt (2013 est.)

Crude oil - exports

0 bbl/day (2014 est.)

Crude oil - imports

10,640 bbl/day (2014 est.)

Crude oil - production

0 bbl/day (2016 est.)

Crude oil - proved reserves

0 bbl (1 January 2017 es)

Electricity - consumption

11.24 billion kWh (2015 est.)

Electricity - exports

0 kWh (2016 est.)

Electricity - from fossil fuels

45% of total installed capacity (2015 est.)

Electricity - from hydroelectric plants

55% of total installed capacity (2015 est.)

Electricity - from nuclear fuels

0% of total installed capacity (2015 est.)

Electricity - from other renewable sources

0% of total installed capacity (2015 est.)

Electricity - imports

0 kWh (2016 est.)

Electricity - installed generating capacity

10 million kW (2015 est.)

Electricity - production

13.41 billion kWh (2015 est.)

Electricity access

18,400,000 30% 41% 13% (2013)

electrification - rural areas

13% (2013)

electrification - total population

30%

electrification - urban areas

41%

population without electricity

18,400,000

Natural gas - consumption

44.32 billion cu m (2015 est.)

Natural gas - exports

0 cu m (2014 est.)

Natural gas - imports

0 cu m (2014 est.)

Natural gas - production

0 cu m (2014 est.)

Natural gas - proved reserves

0 cu m (1 January 2014 es)

Refined petroleum products - consumption

18,000 bbl/day (2015 est.)

Refined petroleum products - exports

0 bbl/day (2014 est.)

Refined petroleum products - imports

5,976 bbl/day (2014 est.)

Refined petroleum products - production

11,270 bbl/day (2014 est.)

Broadcast media

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 (2015)

Internet country code

.kp

Telephone system

adequate system; nationwide fiber-optic network; mobile-cellular service expanded beyond Pyongyang fiber-optic links installed down to the county level; telephone directories unavailable; mobile service launched in late 2008 for the Pyongyang area and considerable progress in expanding to other parts of the country since country code - 850; satellite earth stations - 2 (1 Intelsat - Indian Ocean, 1 Russian - Indian Ocean region); other international connections through Moscow and Beijing (2015)

domestic

fiber-optic links installed down to the county level; telephone directories unavailable; mobile service launched in late 2008 for the Pyongyang area and considerable progress in expanding to other parts of the country since

general assessment

adequate system; nationwide fiber-optic network; mobile-cellular service expanded beyond Pyongyang

international

country code - 850; satellite earth stations - 2 (1 Intelsat - Indian Ocean, 1 Russian - Indian Ocean region); other international connections through Moscow and Beijing (2015)

Telephones - fixed lines

1.18 million 5 (July 2016 est.)

subscriptions per 100 inhabitants

5 (July 2016 est.)

total subscriptions

1.18 million

Telephones - mobile cellular

3.24 million 13 (July 2016 est.)

subscriptions per 100 inhabitants

13 (July 2016 est.)

total

3.24 million

Airports

82 (2013)

Airports - with paved runways

4 (2017)

1,524 to 2,437 m

8

2,438 to 3,047 m

22

914 to 1,523 m

2

over 3,047 m

3

total

39

under 914 m

4 (2017)

Airports - with unpaved runways

8 (2013)

1,524 to 2,437 m

17

2,438 to 3,047 m

3

914 to 1,523 m

15

total

43

under 914 m

8 (2013)

Civil aircraft registration country code prefix

P (2016)

Heliports

23 (2013)

Merchant marine

bulk carrier 6, container ship 3, general cargo 184, oil tanker 25, other 30 (2017)

by type

bulk carrier 6, container ship 3, general cargo 184, oil tanker 25, other 30 (2017)

total

248

National air transport system

223,418 1,574,719 mt-km (2015)

annual freight traffic on registered air carriers

1,574,719 mt-km (2015)

annual passenger traffic on registered air carriers

223,418

inventory of registered aircraft operated by air carriers

17

number of registered air carriers

1

Pipelines

oil 6 km (2013)

Ports and terminals

Ch'ongjin, Haeju, Hungnam (Hamhung), Namp'o, Senbong, Songnim, Sonbong (formerly Unggi), Wonsan

major seaport(s)

Ch'ongjin, Haeju, Hungnam (Hamhung), Namp'o, Senbong, Songnim, Sonbong (formerly Unggi), Wonsan

Railways

7,435 km 7,435 km 1.435-m gauge (5,400 km electrified) figures are approximate; some narrow-gauge railway also exists (2014)

note

figures are approximate; some narrow-gauge railway also exists (2014)

standard gauge

7,435 km 1.435-m gauge (5,400 km electrified)

total

7,435 km

Roadways

25,554 km 724 km 24,830 km (2006)

paved

724 km

total

25,554 km

unpaved

24,830 km (2006)

Waterways

2,250 km (most navigable only by small craft) (2011)

Military branches

North Korean People's Army: Ground Forces, Navy, Air Force; civil security forces (2005)

North Korean People's Army

Ground Forces, Navy, Air Force; civil security forces (2005)

Military service age and obligation

17 years of age for compulsory male and female military service; service obligation 10 years for men, to age 23 for women (2017)

Disputes - international

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)

Illicit drugs

at present there is insufficient information to determine the current level of involvement of government officials in the production or trafficking of illicit drugs, but for years, from the 1970s into the 2000s, citizens of the Democratic People's Republic of (North) Korea (DPRK), many of them diplomatic employees of the government, were apprehended abroad while trafficking in narcotics; police investigations in Taiwan and Japan in recent years have linked North Korea to large illicit shipments of heroin and methamphetamine

Refugees and internally displaced persons

undetermined (periodic flooding and famine during mid-1990s) (2017)

IDPs

undetermined (periodic flooding and famine during mid-1990s) (2017)

Trafficking in persons

North Korea is a source country for men, women, and children who are subjected to forced labor and sex trafficking; many North Korean workers recruited to work abroad under bilateral contracts with foreign governments, most often Russia and China, are subjected to forced labor and do not have a choice in the work the government assigns them, are not free to change jobs, and face government reprisals if they try to escape or complain to outsiders; tens of thousands of North Koreans, including children, held in prison camps are subjected to forced labor, including logging, mining, and farming; many North Korean women and girls, lured by promises of food, jobs, and freedom, have migrated to China illegally to escape poor social and economic conditions only to be forced into prostitution, domestic service, or agricultural work through forced marriages 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 continued to participate in human trafficking through its use of domestic forced labor camps and the provision of forced labor to foreign governments through bilateral contracts; officials did not demonstrate any efforts to address human trafficking through prosecution, protection, or prevention measures; no known investigations, prosecutions, or convictions of trafficking offenders or officials complicit in trafficking-related offenses were conducted; the government also made no efforts to identify or protect trafficking victims and did not permit NGOs to assist victims (2015)

current situation

North Korea is a source country for men, women, and children who are subjected to forced labor and sex trafficking; many North Korean workers recruited to work abroad under bilateral contracts with foreign governments, most often Russia and China, are subjected to forced labor and do not have a choice in the work the government assigns them, are not free to change jobs, and face government reprisals if they try to escape or complain to outsiders; tens of thousands of North Koreans, including children, held in prison camps are subjected to forced labor, including logging, mining, and farming; many North Korean women and girls, lured by promises of food, jobs, and freedom, have migrated to China illegally to escape poor social and economic conditions only to be forced into prostitution, domestic service, or agricultural work through forced marriages

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 continued to participate in human trafficking through its use of domestic forced labor camps and the provision of forced labor to foreign governments through bilateral contracts; officials did not demonstrate any efforts to address human trafficking through prosecution, protection, or prevention measures; no known investigations, prosecutions, or convictions of trafficking offenders or officials complicit in trafficking-related offenses were conducted; the government also made no efforts to identify or protect trafficking victims and did not permit NGOs to assist victims (2015)