Discover Fascinating North Korea Facts
Dive into the history, culture, and unique insights about North Korea.
North Korea
Background
Did you know? ๐ Korea has an interesting history as an independent kingdom! After World War II, it was divided, with the northern part becoming a communist region under the influence of the Soviet Union. ๐
The country was led by the autocratic KIM Il Sung, who introduced a policy called "self-reliance" to keep outside influences at bay. ๐ค This focus on self-sufficiency became a key part of North Korea's identity.
KIM Il Sung's legacy continued when his son, KIM Jong Il, was named as his successor in 1980. Following him, the reign of KIM Jong Un began in 2011. What a journey through history! ๐ฐ๏ธ
Year of KIM Il Sung's rise to leadership
1948
Year of KIM Jong Il's succession
1980
Year of KIM Jong Un's succession
2011
Exports - commodities
Korea, North, is rich in various natural resources! ๐ In 2022, the country focused on several key commodities for its exports. Let's take a look at these valuable resources:
- Tungsten Ore ๐ชจ: A vital ingredient used in making strong metals and tools.
- Refined Petroleum โฝ: This is the fuel that powers our cars and industries!
- Iron Alloys โ๏ธ: These are crucial for building strong structures and vehicles.
- Electricity โก: Energy is super important! It keeps our lights on and the factories running.
- Molybdenum Ore ๐ฉ: Used to make steel tougher and more durable.
These commodities show just how much Korea, North exports to the world! ๐
Main Export Commodities
Tungsten ore, refined petroleum, iron alloys, electricity, molybdenum ore
Exports - partners
๐ Let's take a look at the countries that North Korea exports to! According to recent data from 2022, the breakdown of export partners is super interesting!
- China is the biggest partner, taking a whopping 53% of North Korea's exports! ๐จ๐ณ
- Senegal follows with 11%! ๐ธ๐ณ
- Nigeria receives 6% of the exports! ๐ณ๐ฌ
- Poland comes in with 4%! ๐ต๐ฑ
- Lastly, the Netherlands takes home 3%! ๐ณ๐ฑ
This pie chart will help visualize how much each country gets of North Korea's exports! ๐ฐ
Total Export Percentage
100%
Export Partners of North Korea (2022)
Capital
๐ The capital city of North Korea is Pyongyang! This vibrant city is known for its rich history and unique architecture. Pyongyang is the heart of North Korea, showcasing the country's culture and government.
Imports - commodities
๐ North Korea imports various essential commodities to support its economy and meet the needs of its people. Some of these key imports for 2022 include:
- Plastic products: Used in many everyday items ๐๏ธ
- Tobacco: A popular product among the population ๐ฌ
- Soybean oil: An important cooking ingredient ๐ฅ
- Rubber tires: Necessary for transportation ๐
- Packaged medicine: Essential for healthcare and well-being ๐
This diverse range of imports showcases the different needs and preferences of North Koreans!
Key imported commodities in 2022
Plastic products, Tobacco, Soybean oil, Rubber tires, Packaged medicine
Climate
๐ฆ๏ธ The climate in North Korea is classified as temperate! This means that the country experiences four distinct seasons. ๐ The summer months are especially rainy, providing lots of water for the plants and crops. However, be prepared for long and very cold winters that can feel quite bitter! โ๏ธ So, while you might enjoy warm sunny days in summer, don't forget to bundle up when winter rolls around!
Executive branch
In North Korea, the executive branch is led by the chief of state, who is currently President KIM Jong Un, reigning since ๐๏ธ 17 December 2011. This notable leader is complemented by the head of government, who is the Supreme People's Assembly President CHOE Ryong Hae, in office since ๐๏ธ 11 April 2019. This powerful duo plays a vital role in shaping the nation's policies and direction! ๐ฐ๐ต
Days since KIM Jong Un took office
4322
Days since CHOE Ryong Hae took office
1660
Legislative branch
In North Korea, the legislative branch is known as the Supreme People's Assembly. ๐ฐ๐ต This unicameral assembly has a total of 687 seats! It's interesting to see how many representatives are involved in making laws for the country. ๐๏ธ
Total seats in the Supreme People's Assembly
687
Natural resources
North Korea is rich in several natural resources! ๐ Here are some of the key resources found in the country:
- Coal: A major energy source, used for heating and generating electricity. ๐ญ
- Iron Ore: Essential for making steel, a vital material for construction and manufacturing. โ๏ธ
- Limestone: Used in building materials and in various industrial processes. ๐งฑ
- Magnesite: Important for making refractory materials and fertilizers. ๐ฑ
- Graphite: Used in batteries, lubricants, and steelmaking. ๐
- Copper: A key metal for electrical wiring and plumbing. ๐
- Zinc: Used for galvanizing other metals to prevent rusting. โ๏ธ
- Lead: Used in batteries and construction. ๐๐ง
- Precious Metals: Includes gold and silver, important for jewelry and electronics. ๐
- Hydropower: A renewable energy source harnessed from water. ๐ง
With such a diverse set of resources, North Korea plays a significant role in the global natural resource market! ๐
Key Natural Resources
coal, iron ore, limestone, magnesite, graphite, copper, zinc, lead, precious metals, hydropower
Economic overview
๐ Let's take a look at North Korea's economy! It's one of the last centrally planned economies in the world. However, it has faced some tough challenges recently. ๐ The economy has been hit hard by COVID-19, crop failures, international sanctions, and isolationist policies. This has led to declining growth and trade, making the country heavily reliant on China for economic stability. ๐ฆ Additionally, there are issues with poor exchange rate stability and the integrity of economic data, meaning it's hard to figure out whatโs really going on! ๐
Nature of economy
Centrally planned
Challenges faced
COVID-19, crop failures, international sanctions, isolationist policies
Dependency
Heavily reliant on China
Exchange rate stability
Poor
Government type
In North Korea, the government is a dictatorship and operates as a single-party communist state. ๐๏ธ This means that there is a single political party in control, and dissenting views are not typically allowed. The country's leadership is centralized, heavily controlled, and it plays a significant role in the daily lives of its citizens. People often have limited freedom in terms of political expression and participation in government. ๐ซ๐ณ๏ธ
Government Characteristics
Dictatorship, Single-party communist state
Ethnic groups
In North Korea, the population is predominantly racially homogeneous, which means most people share similar ethnic backgrounds. ๐ฐ๐ต However, there is a small Chinese community and a few ethnic Japanese individuals living there. This diversity, though minor, adds a touch of variety to the overall ethnic picture of the country! ๐
Racial Homogeneity
Predominantly homogeneous with small minorities
Minority Communities
Small Chinese community and few ethnic Japanese
Religions
Korea, North has a rich tapestry of beliefs! ๐ The main religions practiced are:
- Buddhism ๐งโโ๏ธ
- Confucianism ๐
- Christianity โ๏ธ
- Chondogyo (Religion of the Heavenly Way) ๐
While Buddhism and Confucianism are traditional, there are also some followers of Christianity and the unique Chondogyo faith. This blending of old teachings and newer beliefs makes the spiritual landscape of North Korea quite fascinating! ๐
Main Religions Practiced
Buddhism, Confucianism, Christianity, Chondogyo
Languages
In North Korea, the primary language spoken is Korean! ๐ฐ๐ต This beautiful language connects the people and helps to share culture and traditions. Learning Korean opens the door to understanding the rich history and values of Korea. Isn't that amazing? ๐โจ
Imports - partners
๐ North Korea's trade is heavily influenced by its import partners! In 2022, China was the dominant player, accounting for a whopping 98% of all imports. The rest of the world barely makes a dent, with Zimbabwe, Netherlands, India, and Colombia each standing at 0%. This shows just how reliant North Korea is on China for importing goods! ๐ฆ๐ก
Percentage of Imports from China
98%
Percentage of Imports from Other Countries
0%
North Korea's Import Partners (2022)
Population
๐ Let's dive into the population of North Korea! As of the latest data, the total population is a whopping 26,298,666 people! That's a lot of individuals living in this fascinating country, don't you think? ๐ฅ
Total Population
26,298,666
Area
๐ Did you know that North Korea has a total area of 120,538 sq km? ๐ Let's break it down:
- Land Area: A whopping 120,408 sq km of land can be found in North Korea! That's where all the cities, mountains, and forests are located. ๐ณ๐๏ธ
- Water Area: There's also a small water area of 130 sq km. That's not a lot of water compared to the land! ๐ง
This unique combination gives North Korea its distinct geography, influencing everything from climate to culture!
Total Area
120538 sq km
Land Area
120408 sq km
Water Area
130 sq km
Real GDP (purchasing power parity)
๐ Did you know that North Korea's Real GDP based on purchasing power parity is estimated to be $40 billion in 2015? This statistic helps us understand the overall size and health of North Korea's economy compared to others. ๐ฐ
Estimated Real GDP (PPP) in 2015
$40 billion
Real GDP per capita
In North Korea, the Real GDP per capita has shown a slight increase over the years! ๐ Hereโs how it looks:
- In 2014, the GDP per capita was $1,800.
- By 2015, it grew to $1,700! This means that the economy is slowly trying to find its feet! ๐๐ช
Isn't it interesting to see how a country's wealth per person can change over time? Let's visualize this growth with a bar chart! ๐
2014 Real GDP per Capita
1800
2015 Real GDP per Capita
1700
Real GDP per Capita in North Korea
Imports
๐ Let's dive into the world of imports for North Korea! ๐ In 2018, North Korea imported a whopping $2.32 billion worth of goods! That's a significant amount, showcasing their trade activities. Back in 2016, the imports were even higher at $3.86 billion. It's interesting to see how these numbers change over the years! ๐
Imports in 2016
$3.86 billion
Imports in 2018
$2.32 billion
North Korea Imports Over Time
Exports
๐ Let's dive into the world of North Korea's exports! In 2018, North Korea's exports were worth $222 million. That's a big drop from $4.582 billion in 2017! ๐ฎ How did it compare to previous years? Back in 2015, the exports were $2.908 billion! It's interesting to see how these numbers change over time.
Exports in 2018
$222 million
Exports in 2017
$4.582 billion
Exports in 2015
$2.908 billion
North Korea Exports Over Time
Population growth rate
๐ The population growth rate for North Korea is estimated to be 0.4% in 2024! This means that more people are joining the community each year, showing a slight increase in the number of residents. Let's see how this number might change in the future! ๐
Estimated Population Growth Rate for 2024
0.4%