Introduction
North Korea is a nation shrouded in mystery, with both its government and population shrouded in secrecy. It sits in the Eastern side of the Korean peninsula and is bordered by China to the north and South Korea to the south. North Korea is one of the most isolated countries in the world and is noted for its principle of “self-reliance” and its “Juche” ideology, which is an extreme form of socialism. North Korea is renowned for its poverty, oppressive government and peculiar leader, Kim Jong-Un. So who lives in North Korea?
Population
North Korea has an estimated population of 25 million people. It is a population made up largely of ethnic Koreans, with Chinese and Japanese minorities accounting for almost 3 percent of the total population. Most North Koreans live in rural areas as farming remains the major industry. The population of North Korea is categorized into four groups based on their political loyalty: core, wavering, hostile and potentially hostile. The core is made up of those loyal to the ruling party and its leaders. All the four groups are watched by the country’s intelligence agency, the Bureau of State Security.
Culture and Language
North Koreans practice various cultural traditions, many of which are heavily influenced by Confucianism and Buddhism. The two major religions are Cheondoism and Chongudo, a combination of Confucianism and Buddhism. The main language spoken by the North Koreans is Korean. The official writing system is Chosŏn’gŭl, which is based on ancient Chinese character writings. North Koreans are also encouraged to learn foreign languages like English and Russian.
Economy
North Korea has a largely state-controlled economy. The government mainly relies on its natural resources, including coal, graphite, iron ore, lead, zinc, copper, magnesium and gold to generate revenue. North Korea’s primary industries are mining, forestry and fishing. The country also relies heavily on foreign aid in order to survive. Its economy has been in a state of stagnation because of its limited resources, and international sanctions have exacerbated its economic woes.
Government
North Korea is an authoritarian state, with the Kim family, who have been in power since 1948, controlling all aspects of the government. The Kim family exercises absolute control over the economy and the military. The North Korean government is built around three major branches: the Executive, Legislative, and Judicial branches. The Executive branch is headed by the President, who is currently Kim Jong-un. The Legislative branch consists of the Supreme People’s Assembly, which is the highest organ of state power. The Judiciary branch is comprised of the Supreme Court and subordinate courts.
Media and Communication
North Korea has one of the most restrictive media environments in the world. All newspapers, books, films, television programs and radio broadcasts are strictly monitored and censored by the government. The only sources of news in North Korea are state-run media outlets such as the Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) and the Korean Central Television (KCTV). Citizens are not allowed to access the internet or use any type of social media. The government also strictly restricts foreign media, including news websites and satellite TV signals.
Political System
North Korea is a one-party state, with the Workers’ Party of Korea (WPK) as the governing party. The WPK exercises absolute power over all levels of government, including the cabinet and provincial governments. The Supreme People’s Assembly is the unicameral legislature and is elected every five years. Members of the Assembly are elected through a single-candidate election system. The head of state is the President of North Korea, who is also the head of the WPK.
International Relations
North Korea is one of the most isolated nations in the world. It has a strained relationship with most of the world, especially the United States and South Korea. North Korea has also been heavily sanctioned by the United Nations for its nuclear activities and human rights abuses. North Korea is a member of the Non-Aligned Movement and the United Nations. It also maintains diplomatic relations with some nations including China, Russia, Iran and Syria.
Conclusion
North Korea is a nation shrouded in mystery, but despite its isolation, it is home to a population of 25 million largely ethnic Koreans. The North Korean culture is strongly influenced by Confucianism and Buddhism, and the official language is Korean. The North Korean economy is largely state-controlled, and relies heavily on its natural resources and foreign aid. The government is highly authoritarian, headed by the Kim family, with the Workers’ Party of Korea in power. North Korea has a highly restrictive media environment, and it has a strained relationship with the majority of the world, especially the United States and South Korea.
