Country Profile: Korea, North

Korea, North, officially known as the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK), is located on the northern half of the Korean Peninsula, bordered by China and South Korea, with a rugged terrain of hills and mountains. As of 2025, it has a population of approximately 26.4 million people, predominantly of Korean ethnicity, and has a centrally planned economy facing significant challenges such as international sanctions and chronic food shortages. Governed by an autocratic regime under the leadership of Kim Jong Un, North Korea prioritizes military expenditure and maintains a strict control over its citizens, limiting external influences and engagement.

Geography

North Korea is situated in Eastern Asia, covering an area of 120,538 sq km, making it slightly larger than Virginia. The country features a predominantly mountainous landscape with hilly terrain and deep valleys, particularly along its rugged coastline, which stretches 2,495 km. The climate is temperate, with most rainfall occurring in the summer months, and it experiences long, harsh winters.

Highest Point: Paektu-san at 2,744 m
Lowest Point: Sea of Japan at 0 m
Natural Resources: Coal, iron ore, and hydropower are significant resources.
Population Distribution: Major concentrations are in western provinces and the capital, Pyongyang.
Urban Population: 63.2% of the total population (2023)

People and Society

The population of North Korea is estimated at 26,402,841 (2025), consisting mainly of ethnic Koreans, with the national language being Korean. The society is characterized by a lack of religious freedom, with virtually autonomous religious activities non-existent; instead, state-sponsored groups are the norm. The population exhibits a median age of 36.2 years, and there are gender disparities, with a total sex ratio of 0.95 males for every female.

Birth Rate: 12.99 births/1,000 population (2025)
Death Rate: 9.01 deaths/1,000 population (2025)
Infant Mortality Rate: 14.7 deaths/1,000 live births (2025)
Life Expectancy: 73.5 years (2024)
Urbanization Rate: 0.85% annual change (2020-25 est.)

Economy

North Korea possesses one of the last remaining centrally planned economies and has faced severe economic setbacks due to international sanctions and COVID-19. The country's real GDP (PPP) stood at $15.416 billion in 2023, with a per capita value of $600. The economy relies heavily on China for trade, with agricultural products including maize, rice, and potatoes forming a critical part of its outputs.

Unemployment Rate: 2.9% (2024)
Labor Force: 17.637 million (2024)
Major Industries: Military products, textiles, and mining.
Exports: Primarily to China (74%).
GDP: Officially $16.447 billion in 2023.

Government

North Korea operates as a dictatorship and is a single-party communist state led by Kim Jong Un, who has been in power since December 2011. The Supreme People's Assembly serves as the legislative body with a unicameral structure, primarily acting as a rubberstamp for the ruling party. The constitution has undergone several revisions, most recently in 1998, which solidified the regime's grip on power.

Capital: Pyongyang
Administrative Divisions: 9 provinces and 4 special administration cities.
Legal System: Based on civil law influenced by Communist theory.
Suffrage Age: Citizens must be 17 years or older to vote.

Military and Security

North Korea maintains one of the largest armies in the world, comprising the Korean People's Army (KPA) with estimated active-duty personnel reaching 1.3 million. The regime prioritizes military expenditure, devoting 16% of state expenditures to defense, and it is heavily invested in developing nuclear weapons and ballistic missile programs.

Military Expenditures: 20-30% of GDP annually (2010-2020).
Compulsory Service: Men (17-30 years) and women (17-23 years) have mandatory military service.
Military Equipment: Comprised largely of older systems from China and Russia.
Military Deployments: Approximately 10-12,000 personnel are estimated to be deployed in Russia (2025).

Energy

North Korea's energy sector relies significantly on hydroelectric power, with 62.5% of its total generating capacity derived from this source. As of 2022, the country reported an electrification rate of 54.7%, indicating limited access to electricity for its population.

Installed Generating Capacity: 8.357 million kW (2023)
Total Energy Consumption per Capita: 23.83 million Btu (2023)
Coal Production: 21.928 million metric tons (2023)
Refined Petroleum Consumption: 18,000 bbl/day (2023)

Transportation

The transport infrastructure in North Korea includes 81 airports and a railway network totaling 7,435 km. The country's ports are primarily small, with 10 ports in total, highlighting its limited access to maritime trade.

Airports: 81 (2025)
Railways: Total length of 7,435 km (most electrified)
Merchant Marine Fleet: 264 vessels (2023)
Heliports: 8 (2025)

Communications

Communication in North Korea is heavily regulated, with fixed-line and mobile subscriptions limited to state-operated and monitored services. The government controls broadcasting media, prohibiting any independent news outlets.

Mobile Cellular Subscriptions: 6.35 million (2022)
Fixed Line Subscriptions: 1.18 million (2021)
Internet Access: Limited, with a country code of .kp

Key Metrics

Metric	Value	Note
Population	26,402,841 (2025 est.)
Area	120,538 sq km
GDP (PPP)	$15.416 billion (2023 est.)
GDP per Capita	$600 (2023 est.)
Unemployment Rate	2.9% (2024 est.)
Birth Rate	12.99 births/1,000 population (2025 est.)
Death Rate	9.01 deaths/1,000 population (2025 est.)
Life Expectancy	73.5 years (2024 est.)
Electricity Access	54.7% (2022 est.)
Total Energy Consumption per Capita	23.83 million Btu/person (2023 est.)