North Korea
The Korean Peninsula rises like a sea in a heavy gale, according to early European visitors who marveled at its successive mountain ranges. Eighty percent of North Korea consists of mountains and uplands separated by deep valleys. All peaks exceeding 2,000 meters sit within the northern half of the peninsula. Paektu Mountain stands as the highest point at 2,744 meters above sea level. This volcanic peak holds sacred significance for North Koreans and features prominently in folklore surrounding the Kim family. The Amnok River flows along the western border while the Tumen River marks the eastern boundary with China and Russia. These waterways separate the country from neighbors to the north. The Yellow Sea lies to the west and the Sea of Japan defines the eastern coast. Pyongyang sits on the banks of the Taedong River near the western plains where most citizens live.
Chinese records noted Gojoseon as the first kingdom in the early seventh century before Christ. Korean mythology claims Dangun founded Joseon in 2333 BC though historians treat this figure as mythological. Han dynasty forces established four commanderies around 108 BC including Lelang near present-day Pyongyang. Goguryeo emerged as the largest and most militaristic state among the Three Kingdoms period. It competed with Chinese dynasties over seven hundred years of history. Gwanggaeto the Great and his son Jangsu achieved a brief unification during their reigns. Baekje served as a maritime power sometimes called the Phoenicia of East Asia. Silla used opportunistic pacts with Tang China to eventually unify the peninsula by 676 AD. Balhae controlled northern parts of Goguryeo territory after its fall to Khitan Empire in 926. Wang Geon unified Later Three Kingdoms in 936 establishing Goryeo dynasty that lasted until 1392. The Tripitaka Koreana printing project completed during Goryeo golden age promoted education across philosophy literature religion and science. By 1100 twelve universities produced notable scholars despite Mongol invasions weakening the kingdom decades later.
Soviet general Terentii Shtykov recommended Soviet Civil Administration establishment in October 1945 supporting Kim Il Sung as chairman. Democratic People's Republic of Korea formed on the 10th of July 1948 while South Korean statehood declared May 1948. North Korean military invaded South Korea on the 25th of June 1950 swiftly overrunning most territory. United Nations Command led by United States intervened defending southern borders. Chinese forces shifted war balance when approaching northern border with China. Fighting ended the 27th of July 1953 with armistice restoring original boundaries without signed peace treaty. Approximately three million people died including higher proportional civilian death toll than World War II or Vietnam War. Charles K. Armstrong estimated twelve to fifteen percent of North Korean population perished reaching figures close to Soviet citizens killed in WWII. Almost every substantial building destroyed resulting in complete devastation for the country. Heavily guarded demilitarized zone still divides peninsula today maintaining anti-communist sentiment south of line. United States maintains strong military presence depicted by North Korean government as imperialist occupation force claiming war caused by United States and South Korea.
Supreme leadership remained within Kim family known as Mount Paektu Bloodline since nation founding. Three generations descended from first leader Kim Il Sung developed cult tied to Juche philosophy passed to son Kim Jong Il then grandson Kim Jong Un. Journalist Bradley Martin observed nearly all music art sculpture glorified Great Leader Kim Il Sung during 1979 visit. Kim Il Sung rejected notion creating cult accusing critics of factionalism while his birthday April 15 became public holiday Day of Sun. Kim Jong Il inherited personality cult though less extensive than father's according to some viewpoints. His birthday called Day of Shining Star remains important public holiday despite being viewed solely out of respect or fear by defectors. Defectors reported schools deify both father and son while government sources consider it genuine hero worship. Landmarks named after Kim Il Sung include university stadium square while Kim Jong Il received similar honors. Control over culture perpetuates cult ensuring hereditary succession legitimacy through state machinery.
Korean People's Army estimated comprising 1,280,000 active plus 6,300,000 reserve paramilitary troops making fourth largest military globally. About twenty percent men aged seventeen to fifty-four serve regular armed forces one in every twenty-five citizens enlisted soldier. Ground Force largest branch with approximately one million personnel Navy operates world largest submarine fleet Special Operation Force biggest special forces unit worldwide. North Korea possesses nuclear arsenal possibly including hydrogen bomb capable reaching United States via ballistic missiles up to ten thousand kilometers range. Rocket Force provides delivery capabilities while five hundred warheads estimated possessed as of recent assessments. Chemical biological weapons stockpiles confirmed by South Korean assessment alongside ability cultivate produce biological agents. Military expenditure reached fifteen point eight percent state budget 2010 according to North Korean media though U.S State Department averaged twenty three percent GDP from 2004 to 2014 highest level worldwide. Defense industry manufactures full weapon range roughly eighteen hundred underground plants scattered Chagang Province. Six thousand computer security personnel employed cyberwarfare unit operating China blamed for 2014 Sony Pictures hack. Asymmetric warfare technologies include anti-personnel blinding lasers GPS jammers midget submarines human torpedoes stealth paint deployed compensating obsolete equipment insufficient fuel digital command control assets shortages.
Soviet Union dissolved the 26th of December 1991 ending aid support causing sharp economic decline after previously matching southern neighbor GDP per capita until 1976. Flooding mid-1990s exacerbated crisis severely damaging crops infrastructure leading widespread famine deaths between two hundred forty thousand four hundred twenty thousand people. Government proved incapable curtailing resulting flight many citizens into China South Korea neighboring countries called Kotjebi illegal child immigrants in China. United Nations food aid accepted 1996 while Agreed Framework signed 1994 promising halt nuclear weapons development. Economic collapse followed dissolution Soviet Union when all aid suddenly halted starting long decline beginning 1987 almost complete failure after 1991. Structural reforms began 1998 formally legalizing private ownership assets decentralizing production control second round 2002 expanding market activities partial monetization flexible prices salaries introducing incentives accountability techniques. Despite changes remains command economy state owns almost means production development priorities defined government. Purchasing power parity gross domestic product estimated 40 billion dollars very low per capita value 1,800 dollars compared 36,760 dollars South Korea 2024. Sejong Institute describes dramatic recent developments as astonishing though foreign trade hampered international sanctions. China biggest trading partner accounting more than seventy-four percent exports ninety-seven percent imports.
United Nations inquiry 2014 found evidence systematic widespread gross human rights violations revealing state without parallel contemporary world according to Amnesty International Human Rights Watch similar views. North Koreans referred some world most brutalized people due severe restrictions political economic freedoms arbitrary detention torture ill-treatment resulting death execution. Citizens generally not permitted leave country will government denies access UN human rights observers Ministry State Security extrajudicially apprehends imprisons accused political crimes without due process. People perceived hostile Christians leadership critics deported labor camps whole family mostly chance release forced labor part established system repression. Estimated two hundred thousand prisoners held six large prison camps working right wrongdoings based satellite images defector testimonies. Over ten thousand people die annually prison camps according International Coalition Stop Crimes Against Humanity in North Korea estimates. One point one million people modern slavery percentage population enslaved highest worldwide ten point four percent Walk Free Global Slavery Index 2018. Only country explicitly criminalizing form modern slavery trafficking thousands citizens allegedly forced laborers other countries earnings pocketed Pyongyang. Government rejects claims calling smear campaign human rights racket made topple government admitting living conditions issues while claiming work improving them dismissing accusations wild rumors 2014 report United Nations.
Continue Browsing
Common questions
What is the highest point in North Korea and where is it located?
Paektu Mountain stands as the highest point at 2,744 meters above sea level within the northern half of the Korean Peninsula. This volcanic peak holds sacred significance for North Koreans and features prominently in folklore surrounding the Kim family.
When was the Democratic People's Republic of Korea officially formed?
The Democratic People's Republic of Korea formed on the 10th of July 1948 while South Korean statehood declared May 1948. Soviet general Terentii Shtykov recommended Soviet Civil Administration establishment in October 1945 supporting Kim Il Sung as chairman before this date.
How many people died during the Korean War according to estimates?
Approximately three million people died including higher proportional civilian death toll than World War II or Vietnam War. Charles K. Armstrong estimated twelve to fifteen percent of North Korean population perished reaching figures close to Soviet citizens killed in WWII.
Who controls the Supreme Leadership of North Korea today?
Supreme leadership remained within Kim family known as Mount Paektu Bloodline since nation founding. Three generations descended from first leader Kim Il Sung developed cult tied to Juche philosophy passed to son Kim Jong Il then grandson Kim Jong Un.
What percentage of the GDP does North Korea spend on defense?
Military expenditure reached fifteen point eight percent state budget 2010 according to North Korean media though U.S State Department averaged twenty three percent GDP from 2004 to 2014 highest level worldwide. About twenty percent men aged seventeen to fifty-four serve regular armed forces one in every twenty-five citizens enlisted soldier.