North Korea

North Korea, officially known as the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK), is a sovereign state in East Asia occupying the northern part of the Korean Peninsula. It is bordered by China to the northwest, Russia to the northeast, and South Korea to the south, with the Yellow Sea to the west and the Sea of Japan to the east. North Korea is characterized by its single-party state structure, with the ruling Workers’ Party of Korea led by Kim Il-sung, Kim Jong-il, and currently Kim Jong-un, who follows a philosophy known as Juche, often interpreted as self-reliance.

The country has a centralized economy, with state control over production and distribution, and it is known for its strict government censorship, human rights issues, and military focus, including nuclear weapons development. Its capital is Pyongyang. North Korea’s isolationism and tension with international communities, particularly regarding its nuclear ambitions and human rights practices, have led to various sanctions and diplomatic challenges. The Korean War (1950-1953) resulted in a division between North and South Korea, which remains technically in a state of war, with the Korean Demilitarized Zone (DMZ) serving as a buffer between the two nations.