North Korea: Government#
| Country name | conventional long form: Democratic People's Republic of Korea conventional short form: North Korea local long form: Choson-minjujuui-inmin-konghwaguk local short form: Choson abbreviation: DPRK 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" |
|---|---|
| Government type | communist state |
| Capital | Pyongyang
Pyongyang
geographic coordinates: 39 01 N, 125 45 E time difference: UTC+8.5 (13.5 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time) note: on 15 August 2015, North Korea reverted to UTC+8.5, a time zone that had been observed during pre-colonial times |
| Administrative divisions | 9 provinces (do, singular and plural) and 2 municipalities (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), Ranggang cities: P'yongyang, Rason note: Rason is sometimes designated as a special city and P'yongyang as a capital city |
| Independence | 15 August 1945 (from Japan) |
| National holiday | Founding of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK), 9 September (1948) |
| Constitution | previous 1948, 1972; latest adopted 1998 (during KIM Jong Il era); revised 2009, 2012, 2013 (2016) |
| Legal system | civil law system based on the Prussian model; system influenced by Japanese traditions and Communist legal theory |
| International law organization participation | has not submitted an ICJ jurisdiction declaration; non-party state to the ICCt |
| 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 |
| Suffrage | 17 years of age; universal |
| Executive branch | chief of state: KIM Jong Un (since 17 December 2011) head of government: Premier PAK Pong Ju (since 2 April 2013); Vice Premiers RI Ju O (since 29 June 2016), RI Ryong Nam (since 29 June 2016), KO In Ho (since 29 June 2016), IM Chol Ung (since 29 May 2014), KIM Tok Hun (since 19 June 2013), KIM Yong Jin (since 6 January 2012), RI Mu Yong (since 31 May 2011), RO Tu Chol (since 3 September 2003) cabinet: Cabinet or Naegak members appointed by the Supreme People's Assembly except the Minister of People's Armed Forces elections/appointments: chief of state and premier indirectly elected by the Supreme People's Assembly; election last held on 9 March 2014 (next election NA) election results: KIM Jong Un elected unopposed note: the Korean Workers' Party continues to list deceased leaders KIM Il Sung and KIM Jong Il as Eternal President and Eternal General Secretary respectively |
| Legislative branch | description: unicameral Supreme People's Assembly or Ch'oego Inmin Hoeui (687 seats; members directly elected by absolute majority vote to serve 5-year terms); note - the Korean Workers' Party selects all candidates elections: last held on 9 March 2014 (next to be held in March 2019) election results: percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - NA; ruling party approves a list of candidates who are elected without opposition; a token number of seats are reserved for minor parties |
| Judicial branch | highest court(s): Supreme Court or Central Court (consists of the chief justice and 2 "People's Assessors" and for some cases, 3 judges) judge selection and term of office: judges elected by the Supreme People's Assembly for 5-year terms subordinate courts: provincial, municipal, military, special courts; people' courts (lowest level) |
| Political parties and leaders | major party: Korean Workers' Party or KWP (KIM Jong Un) minor parties: Chondoist Chongu Party (RYU Mi Yong) (under KWP control) Social Democratic Party (KIM Yong Dae) (under KWP control) |
| Political pressure groups and leaders | none |
| 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 |
| Diplomatic representation in the US | none; North Korea has a Permanent Mission to the UN in New York |
| Diplomatic representation from the US | none; note - Swedish Embassy in Pyongyang represents the US as consular protecting power |
| Flag description | three horizontal bands of blue (top), red (triple width), and blue; the red band is edged in white; on the hoist side of the red band is a white disk with a red five-pointed star; the broad red band symbolizes revolutionary traditions; the narrow white bands stand for purity, strength, and dignity; the blue bands signify sovereignty, peace, and friendship; the red star represents socialism |
| National symbol(s) | red star, chollima (winged horse); national colors: red, white, blue |
| National anthem | name: "Aegukka" (Patriotic Song) lyrics/music: PAK Se Yong/KIM Won Gyun note: adopted 1947; both North Korea's and South Korea's anthems share the same name and have a vaguely similar melody but have different lyrics; the North Korean anthem is also known as "Ach'imun pinnara" (Let Morning Shine) |