World Factbook
North Korea
Choson-minjujuui-inmin-konghwaguk
Last updated: 2026-03-28 (today)
Flag
description: three horizontal bands of blue (top), red (triple-width), and blue; the red band is edged in white; on the left side of the red band is a white disk with a red five-pointed star meaning: the red band stands for revolutionary traditions, the white for purity, strength, and dignity; blue for sovereignty, peace, and friendship; the red star represents socialism
Capital
name
Pyongyang
etymology
the name translates as "flat land" in Korean
time zone note
on 5 May 2018, North Korea reverted to UTC+9, the same time zone as South Korea
time difference
UTC+9 (14 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time)
geographic coordinates
39 01 N, 125 45 E
Suffrage
17 years of age; universal and compulsory
Citizenship
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
history
previous 1948, 1972; latest adopted 1998
amendment process
proposed by the Supreme People’s Assembly (SPA); passage requires more than two-thirds majority vote of the total SPA membership
Country name
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"
abbreviation
DPRK
local long form
Choson-minjujuui-inmin-konghwaguk
local short form
Choson
conventional long form
Democratic People's Republic of Korea
conventional short form
North Korea
Independence
15 August 1945 (from Japan)
Legal system
civil law system based on the Prussian model; influenced by Japanese traditions and Communist legal theory
Government type
dictatorship, single-party communist state
Judicial branch
highest court(s)
Supreme Court or Central Court (consists of one judge and 2 "People's Assessors" or, for some cases, 3 judges)
subordinate courts
lower provincial courts as determined by the Supreme People's Assembly
judge selection and term of office
judges elected by the Supreme People's Assembly for 5-year terms
Executive branch
note
note 1: KIM Jong Un's titles include general secretary of the Workers' Party of Korea (KWP), chairman of the KWP Central Military Commission, president of the State Affairs Commission, and supreme commander of the Korean People's Army note 2: in the North Korean system, KIM Jong Un's role as chief of state is secondary to his role as general secretary of the Korean Workers' Party; chief of state is used to engage with non-communist countries such as the US; North Korea revised its constitution in 2019 to define "the Chairman of the State Affairs Commission" as "the supreme leader who represents the state"; functions as the commander-in-chief and chief executive; the specific titles associated with this office have changed multiple times under KIM's tenure, but KIM Jong Un has been supreme leader since his father's death in 2011 note 3: the head of government functions as the technical head of state and performs related duties, such as receiving ambassadors' credentials
cabinet
Cabinet or Naegak members appointed by the Supreme People's Assembly, except the Minister of People's Armed Forces
chief of state
State Affairs Commission President KIM Jong Un (since 17 December 2011)
election results
2019: KIM Jong Un reelected unopposed
head of government
Supreme People's Assembly President CHOE Ryong Hae (since 11 April 2019)
most recent election date
11 April 2019
election/appointment process
chief of state and premier indirectly elected by the Supreme People's Assembly
expected date of next election
March 2024
National holiday
Founding of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK), 9 September (1948)
National color(s)
red, white, blue
National heritage
total World Heritage Sites
2 (both cultural, one mixed)
selected World Heritage Site locales
Koguryo Tombs Complex; Historic Monuments and Sites in Kaesong; Mount Kumgang – Diamond Mountain from the Sea (m)
Political parties
major parties: Korean Workers' Party or KWP (formally known as Workers' Party of Korea) General Association of Korean Residents in Japan (Chongryon; under KWP control) minor parties: Chondoist Chongu Party (under KWP control) Social Democratic Party or KSDP (under KWP control)
Legislative branch
note
note: the SPA functions as a rubberstamp legislature; the Korean Workers' Party selects all candidates
term in office
5 years
number of seats
687 (all directly elected)
electoral system
plurality/majority
legislature name
Supreme People's Assembly (Choe Go In Min Hoe Ui)
scope of elections
full renewal
legislative structure
unicameral
most recent election date
3/10/2019
expected date of next election
December 2025
percentage of women in chamber
17.6%
National anthem(s)
title
"Aegukka" (Patriotic Song)
history
adopted 1947; North Korea's and South Korea's anthems have the same name and a similar melody, but different lyrics; the North Korean anthem is also known as "Ach'imun pinnara" (Let Morning Shine)
lyrics/music
PAK Se Yong/KIM Won Gyun
National symbol(s)
red star, chollima (winged horse)
Administrative divisions
9 provinces ( do , singular and plural) and 4 special administration cities ( si , singular and plural) provinces: Chagang, Hambuk (North Hamgyong), Hamnam (South Hamgyong), Hwangbuk (North Hwanghae), Hwangnam (South Hwanghae), Kangwon, P'yongbuk (North Pyongan), P'yongnam (South Pyongan), Ryanggang special administration cities: Kaesong, Nampo, P'yongyang, Rason
note: P'yongyang is considered a directly controlled city; Kaesong, Nampo, and Rason are designated as special cities
Diplomatic representation in the US
none note : North Korea has a Permanent Mission to the UN in New York
Diplomatic representation from the US
embassy
none; the Swedish Embassy in Pyongyang represents the US as consular protecting power
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
International law organization participation
has not submitted an ICJ jurisdiction declaration; non-party state to the ICCt