Country Profile: Korea, North

North Korea, officially the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK), occupies the northern part of the Korean Peninsula in East Asia, bordered by China, South Korea, and Russia. With a population of over 26 million, the country operates under a single-party dictatorship led by Kim Jong Un. North Korea's economy is largely state-controlled, characterized by chronic food shortages and a heavy reliance on China for trade and economic support, amid widespread international isolation and sanctions.

Geography

North Korea is located in Eastern Asia, covering an area of 120,538 sq km, slightly larger than Virginia and slightly smaller than Mississippi. The terrain is predominantly hilly and mountainous, with the highest point being Paektu-san at 2,744 m. Its climate is temperate, characterized by hot summers and long, bitter winters, with rainfall concentrated in the summer months.

1,607 km of land borders with China (1,352 km), South Korea (237 km), and Russia (18 km).
64% of the land is covered by forest (2023).
The coastline stretches 2,495 km along the Korea Bay and the Sea of Japan.
21.6% of land is used for agriculture (2023).
Known for late spring droughts followed by severe flooding.

People and Society

North Korea's population is approximately 26.4 million (2025 estimate), predominantly Korean and racially homogeneous, with minor communities of Chinese and Japanese. The official language is Korean, and the society is influenced by traditional Buddhist and Confucian values, though autonomous religious practices are severely restricted.

63.2% of the population lives in urban areas (2023).
The median age is 36.2 years (2025 estimate).
The birth rate is 12.99 births per 1,000 population (2025 estimate).
Life expectancy at birth is 73.5 years (2024 estimate).
The literacy rate is virtually universal due to state-controlled education.

Economy

Characterized as one of the last centrally planned economies, North Korea's economy has been severely impacted by international sanctions, isolationist policies, and mismanagement. As of 2023, its real GDP (purchasing power parity) is estimated at $15.416 billion.

2.9% unemployment rate (2024 estimate).
Major agricultural products include maize, rice, and vegetables.
74% of exports are directed to China.
North Korea relies heavily on fossil fuels, with 36.9% of total electricity generation capacity from fossil sources (2023).
GDP per capita stands at $600 (2023 estimate).

Government

North Korea is a dictatorship where power is centralized under the Workers' Party. The capital and largest city is Pyongyang, and the government operates under a civil law system influenced by Communist ideologies. The Supreme People's Assembly serves as the legislative body.

The head of state is Kim Jong Un, with various titles including Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces.
The constitution was last revised in 1998.
687 members are in the Supreme People's Assembly, all of whom are directly elected.
Citizens require approval for all aspects of life, including employment and education.

Military and Security

North Korea possesses one of the largest military forces in the world, with about 1.3 million active-duty personnel. Military spending accounts for 16% of state expenditures as of 2024. The regime prioritizes the development of nuclear weapons and ballistic missile capabilities.

The Korean People's Army includes ground, navy, and air force units.
Compulsory military service is mandated for men and women.
Military expenditures historically have comprised 20-30% of GDP annually.
North Korea's military activities are closely monitored by international entities due to persistent tensions with South Korea and the US.

Energy

Energy infrastructure in North Korea is primarily based on coal and hydroelectricity. As of 2023, the installed electricity generation capacity is 8.357 million kW, with total consumption at 22.448 billion kWh.

54.7% of the population has access to electricity (2022 estimate).
Coal production reaches 21.928 million metric tons (2023 estimate).
Hydroelectric plants account for 62.5% of total installed capacity.

Environment

North Korea faces numerous environmental challenges, including deforestation, soil erosion, and inadequate access to potable water. The country is party to several international environmental agreements, focusing on issues like biodiversity and climate change.

77.15 billion cubic meters of renewable water resources are available (2022 estimate).
Carbon dioxide emissions are estimated at 55.744 million metric tonnes (2023).
The country has signed multiple international environmental treaties, including the Paris Agreement.

Transportation

North Korea's transportation system includes a network of railways, civil aircraft, and maritime routes, with significant limitations due to international sanctions and infrastructure condition.

The country operates 81 airports (2025 estimate).
There are 7,435 km of railway in total, most of which is electrified.
The merchant marine consists of 264 vessels (2023).

Communications

The communication network is heavily regulated, with limited access to telephones and the internet. Most media are state-run, with strict controls over foreign content.

North Korea has 6.35 million mobile cellular subscriptions (2022 estimate).
The country code for internet is .kp.
Fixed-line subscriptions stand at 1.18 million (2021 estimate).

Key Metrics

Metric	Value	Note
Population	26,402,841 (2025 est.)
Area	120,538 sq km	Slightly larger than Virginia
GDP (PPP)	$15.416 billion (2023)
Energy Consumption (per capita)	23.83 million Btu/person (2023)
Birth Rate	12.99 births/1,000 population (2025 est.)
Unemployment Rate	2.9% (2024 est.)
Life Expectancy	73.5 years (2024 est.)