NORTH KOREA By: Srun Chantha Te: Website:Build Bright University Faculty of Science of Education and Languages Flag of North Korea National Anthem Continent Geographical Direction Location of North Korea Facts about North Korea Introduction occupies the northern portion of the Korea Peninsula. Is bounded on the north by China, on the northeast by Russia, on the east by the East Sea (Sea of Japan), on the south by South Korea, and on the west by the Yellow Sea. The state of North Korea was established in 1948 as a result of the Soviet military occupation of the northern portion of the peninsula after World War II ( ). The capital and largest city of North Korea is Pyongyang. Land and Resources Mountainous with deep, narrow valleys. Average temperature in Pyongyang is 24 o C. Winter s average temperature -4 o C. Most animal species are becoming rare. One of the richer nations in Asia in terms of mineral resources. Population One of the most ethnically homogeneous countries. The population 23,500,000 people (2009). The capital and largest city is Pyongyang. Language is North Korean. Religious freedom is guaranteed by constitution but in practice its activity is discouraged. About 2/3 of the people are nonreligious. Education and Cultural Activity Education is free and compulsory for the first 10 years of schooling. The principal institution of higher education is Kim Il Sung University (founded in 1946) in Pyngyang. The literacy rate is estimated at about 99 percent (2009). Cultural activity is aided, encouraged, and shaped by the government in consonance with its political goals. Education and Cultural Activity The government-run Korean Central News Agency is the principal distributing source of news. Radio broadcasting is under the auspices of the Korean Central Broadcasting Committee. Television broadcasting was instituted in 1969. Government After World War II ( ), the Korean Peninsula was divided into 2 parts. Kim Il Sung ( ) was the former leader of North Korea ( ). North Koreas first constitution was approved in The president was elected by the Supreme Peoples Assembly, the unicameral legislature, for a four-year term. Government The president in turn appointed the premier and members of the Central Peoples Committee, the governments highest policymaking body. Kim Il Sung designated his son, Kim Jong Il, as his successor. The dominant political party is the Korean Workers Party. Government Highest executive office is National Defense Commission. The legislature, which in theory is the supreme government organ, is the unicameral Supreme Peoples Assembly. The judicial system consists of the central court and the provincial and peoples courts. The central court is the states highest judicial authority. Government In 2004 the U.S. government estimated that the total armed forces was about 1,106,000. Army= 950,000 Navy=46,000 Air force= 110,000 Economy Centralized and state-controlled economy Government economic policy emphasized a doctrine of self-reliance and downgraded the role of foreign trade. Economic plans gave emphasis to the development of heavy industry and the mechanization of agriculture. In 2006 the estimated total workforce of was 11.4 million, with 38 percent of the workforce engaged in agriculture. Economy The principal crops include rice, corn, and potatoes. Mining is an important sector of the North Korean economy, and efforts are being made to develop new deposits. North Korea is well endowed with coal and hydroelectricity resources. Hydroelectric power accounts for 56 percent of the electrical output. Economy The railroad system of North Korea is electrified along most of its 8,530 km of track. It has direct links to South Korea, China, and Russia. The unit of currency is the won (2.20 won equals U.S.$1; May, 1998). The CIA estimated that North Koreas exports in 2003 totaled $1.2 billion, primarily minerals, metallurgical products, manufactures (including armaments), and textiles. The principal trade partners for exports were China (29.9 percent), South Korea (24.1 percent), and Japan (13.2 percent). Economy The CIA estimated that North Koreas exports in 2003 totaled $1.2 billion, primarily minerals, metallurgical products, manufactures (including armaments), and textiles. The principal trade partners for exports were China (29.9 percent), South Korea (24.1 percent), and Japan (13.2 percent). History For the history of the Korea Peninsula before it was partitioned in 1945 into North and South Korea. The Democratic Peoples Republic of Korea (DPRK) was proclaimed in Pyngyang, the capital, on September 9, After the establishment of the KWP, Kim Il Sung enjoyed the support of the occupying Soviet forces (until most of them withdrew in late 1948). History In 1949 border fighting broke out between the North and the South. On June 25, 1950, North Korean forces crossed the dividing line and invaded the South. Soon, in defense of the South, the United States joined the fighting under the banner of the United Nations (UN), along with small contingents of British, Canadian, Australian, and Turkish troops. History In October 1950 China joined the war on the Norths side. By the time a ceasefire agreement was signed on July 27, 1953, some 800,000 Koreans on both sides had lost their lives, together with 115,000 Chinese and about 36,400 U.S. The war caused enormous damage to North Korea. North Korea endured three years of heavy U.S. bombing in addition to a ground offensive by UN forces along the Yalu River, the border between North Korea and China. History Virtually the entire population of North Korea lived and worked in manmade underground caves for three years to escape the relentless attack of U.S. planes. Schools, hospitals, factories, and troop barracks were located in the caves. Pyngyang was bombed until almost no buildings were left standing, and an entirely new capital had to be rebuilt after the war. Kim Jong Il Kim Il Sung History In June 2000 Kim Jong Il and South Korean president Kim Dae Jung held talks in Pyngyang and agreed to promote reconciliation and economic cooperation between the two countries. The landmark event was the first face-to-face meeting between the leaders of North Korea and South Korea since the division of Korea in 1945. History Now the current present is Kim Jon Il. Kim Jon Un, his youngest son, is believed to be his heir. North Korea has long maintained close relations with the People's Republic of China and Russia. Thanks