About Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK)

Geography

Capital: Pyongyang

Area: 120.540 km2

Population: 25.9 mill. (2021 est.)

Annual increase in population: 0,4% (2021 est.)

Language: Korean

Time difference: +7/+ 8 (summertime/wintertime)

Government

Head of State: General Secretary of the Workers' Party of Korea H. E. Kim Jong-un

Head of Government: Premier of the Cabinet H.E. Kim Tok-hun

President of Parliament: H.E. Choe Ryong-hae

Minister of Foreign Affairs: H. E. Choe Son-hui

Domestic Political Situation

Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) is a totalitarian state controlled by the Kim family with support from the military. The country is one of the most isolated in the world and the Workers’ Party control all activity in cooperation with the military. Since DPRK was founded, members of the Kim Family have led the country. Kim Jong-un is the grandson of the first leader of DRPK Kim Il-sung.

The core of DPRK is the Workers’ Party, which has great authority and is legitimized through “juche” which is based on three dominant principles: political independence, economic self-sustenance, self-reliance in foreign policy. Today DPRK is mainly based on the Sonhun-doctrine based on the principle of putting the military first. 

Foreign Policy

DPRK’s multiple missiles- and nuclear tests in recent years have put a strain on the inter-Korean relationship. As a result, DPRK today is subject to the world’s most rigorous sanctions. The foreign policy of the DPRK is mainly dictated by the historic conflict with the US and South Korea. Since the armistice between the two Koreas in 1953, four Inter-Korean meetings have taken place: in 2000, 2007 and two in 2018, each leading to renewed inter-Korean cooperation and the prospects of increased stability on the Korean Peninsula.

For more information about North Korea, follow these links:

• Inter-Korean summits and bilateral high-level talks, click here.
• North Korea in general, click here.
• North Korea’s economy, click here.