North Korea is a country located in the northern hemisphere of the Asian continent and borders China, Russia and South Korea. Since its foundation in 1945, it has been governed by the family Kim, in dictatorship.
- President of North Korea (eternal): Kim Il-Sung (1912-1994)
- Head of state: Kim Jong-Un
- Capital of North Korea: Pyongyang
North Korea flag.
Officially known as Democratic People's Republic of Korea, the socialist country has about 25 million inhabitants. North Koreans have almost no contact with the outside world, have no internet access, and are under constant surveillance.
Foreigners also have restricted visits to the country. Tourism can only be carried out with the assistance of travel agencies and it is not possible to interact freely with the local population.
citizens must leader worship and any manifestation against the government is considered a crime. The country's political prisoners are sent to labor camps, where they starve, tortured and forced to work.
North Korea History
In the beginning of the 20th century, the Korean peninsula was invaded and taken over by Japan. Japan was going through a phase of imperialist expansion and was advancing on mainland Asia to conquer new territories.
In Europe, Hitler's Germany and Benito Mussolini's Italy also took action to conquer new territories. As of 1936, these three nations became allies and formed the axis group, who would be defeated in World War II.
At the end of this conflict, the nations that belonged to the Allied group they expelled Japan from the Korean peninsula and divided it between the two major powers at that time: the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics (USSR) and the United States.
The northern part was under the control of the USSR and the southern part of the United States. The line dividing the two territories is known as 38 parallel.
Korean peninsula map.
In 1948, Soviets and Americans leave the peninsula and two governments are formed. North Korea is now governed by Kim Il-Sung, which remains 46 years in power, until his death.
In 1950, Kim Il-Sung sends troops to the south and thus begins the Korean War, which lasted 3 years and left an estimated 2.5 million dead and injured.
In 1953 a ceasefire was signed between the two rulers, but a peace agreement was never signed. This means that the two koreas, officially, remain at war to the present day.
North Korea was economically dependent on the Soviet Union, but when it came to an end in 1991, the country suffered a hard economic coup.
With the end of support from the USSR, added to the occurrence of intense weather phenomena, North Korea is facing a great hunger between 1994 and 1998. It is believed that the death toll may have exceeded 3 million in this period.
Kim Il-Sung dies in 1994 and his son Kim Jong-Il assumes the leadership of the country in 1997, a position he occupies until 2011, the year of his death. That year, Kim Jong-Un takes over as head of state.
See also the meaning USSR.
Kim Jong-Un, current head of state of North Korea.
THE atomic weapons production, which was already being developed across the country, is accelerated with Kim Jong-un. The leader, in 2006, announced the successful completion of its first nuclear test.
North Korea today has, in addition to nuclear warheads, a intercontinental ballistic missile and is considered one of the biggest atomic threats in the world.
For this reason, since 2006, the country has been suffering international community embargoes and sanctions, which makes the country's isolation grow.
In 2018, the leaders of North Korea and South Korea met at the border. It was the first time since 1953 that the heads of the two Koreas had crossed the border.
In 2019, Kim Jong-Un meets the President of the United States, Donald Trump. The objective was to reach an agreement on the denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula, but a deal has not been reached and mistrust and apprehension about North Korea's nuclear advances continue.
Kim Jong-Un greets Donalt Trump.
North Korea Leaders
North Korea, throughout its 70+ year history, has been ruled by three leaders. The country's leadership is passed from father to son, see the period of government of each of them:
- Kim Il-Sung: 1972 - 1994
- Kim Jong-Il: 1994 - 2011
- Kim Jong-Un: 2011 - Current
Kim Il-Sung was the founder of North Korea and is considered the eternal president. There are images of him and his son (Kim Jong-Il) scattered throughout the streets, establishments and homes of North Korea.
Monuments in honor of Kim Il-Sung and Kim Jong-Il in Pyongyang.
The current leader, Kim Jong-Un, is still not represented by images, which will only happen after his death. You leaders are considered divine, enlightened and infallible beings and his worship of the people is compulsory.
Every 5 years elections are held for the position of head of state in North Korea, but the only option is the current leader himself. There is only one party in the country, the Korean Workers' Party.
Pyongyang: the capital of North Korea
Pyongyang is the capital of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea, in this city live about 3 million inhabitants. This city is considered a showcase for foreigners, it is clean, organized and modern.
The city shows no signs of social inequality and poverty, but only people considered to be the most loyal to the government live in this city. Pyongyang is the city destined for the elite.
Photo of the capital of the Capital of North Korea, Pyongyang.
Most of the resources that are not earmarked for the nuclear program are invested in the capital. On the streets, new cars, tall and modern buildings, stores with imported products and facilities for study, health and entertainment services.
Despite this, even in the capital there is not enough energy. Every day, for a few hours, the power supply is interrupted. Satellites captured photos of the country in near complete darkness.
Korean peninsula, with South Korea lit up and North Korea in darkness.
Fun Facts About North Korea
- Military service lasts, on average, 6 years;
- Children with recognized musical talent should practice between 3 and 5 hours a day;
- There are a number of types of haircuts for men and women;
- If they want to travel to a district other than the one they live in, North Koreans need authorization;
- Western and South Korean music is prohibited;
- Christians are persecuted, and Buddhists are considered hostile;
- 1912, Kim Il-Sung's birth year, is considered year 1;
- A punishment lasts generations in Korea. In addition to the person who commits the crime, their children and grandchildren will be punished;
- The cultivation, distribution, and use of marijuana in the country is legal;
- The largest flag in the world is located in the border city of Kijong-Dong, weighing about 270 kg.
See also the meaning of communism and socialism.
