query: what government type is north korea?

title: Politics of North Korea

text: Politics of North Korea The politics of North Korea (officially the Democratic People's Republic of Korea) takes place within the framework of the official state philosophy, "Juche", a concept created by Hwang Jang-yop and later attributed to Kim Il-sung. The "Juche" theory is the belief that through self-reliance and a strong independent state, true socialism can be achieved. North Korea's political system is built upon the principle of centralization. While the North Korean constitution formally guarantees protection of human rights, in practice there are severe limits on freedom of expression, and the government closely supervises the lives of North Korean

title: Politics of North Korea

text: later internal issues. Politics of North Korea The politics of North Korea (officially the Democratic People's Republic of Korea) takes place within the framework of the official state philosophy, "Juche", a concept created by Hwang Jang-yop and later attributed to Kim Il-sung. The "Juche" theory is the belief that through self-reliance and a strong independent state, true socialism can be achieved. North Korea's political system is built upon the principle of centralization. While the North Korean constitution formally guarantees protection of human rights, in practice there are severe limits on freedom of expression, and the government closely supervises the lives

title: Government of North Korea

text: penalties can be stiff; one of the basic functions of the system is to uphold the power of the regime. Because so little information is available concerning what actually occurs inside of the country, the extent to which there is any rule of law is uncertain. In any case, North Korea is known for its poor human rights situation and regularly detains thousands of dissidents without trial or benefit of legal advice. According to a US Department of State report on human rights practices, the government of North Korea often punishes the family of a criminal along with the perpetrator.

title: Government of North Korea

text: Committee of the Workers' Party of Korea: Government of North Korea In the North Korean government, the Cabinet is the administrative and executive body. The North Korean government consists of three branches: administrative, legislative, and judicial. However, they are not independent of each other. Although the country follows totalitarianism, the leader must work through various agents and their institutions, which has the power to delay, modify, or even resist the leader's orders. These institutions may set the overall tone and direction for North Korea's foreign and domestic policy, make suggestions, offer policy options, and lobby Kim himself. The government is

title: Government of North Korea

text: Government of North Korea In the North Korean government, the Cabinet is the administrative and executive body. The North Korean government consists of three branches: administrative, legislative, and judicial. However, they are not independent of each other. Although the country follows totalitarianism, the leader must work through various agents and their institutions, which has the power to delay, modify, or even resist the leader's orders. These institutions may set the overall tone and direction for North Korea's foreign and domestic policy, make suggestions, offer policy options, and lobby Kim himself. The government is also confirmed by the Supreme People's Assembly

title: Photojournalism in North Korea

text: about the government." Photojournalism in North Korea Photojournalism in the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (better known as North Korea) is heavily regulated by the government. Due to the extremely limited flow of information out of the country, there is no consensus over what rules are actually in place to govern photojournalism by members of foreign press services. Individual foreign photographers have been banned from North Korea for displaying photos that portray the country in an unfavorable light. North Korean leaders believe that their rules and censorship system is necessary in order to keep people under control, “to prevent the

title: Government of North Korea

text: (SPA). The Premier, who appoints three Vice Premiers and the government's ministers, heads the cabinet. The government is dominated by the ruling Workers' Party of Korea (WPK) and has been since North Korea's inception in 1948. The Cabinet now has the right to supervise and control the Provisional People's Committee for North Korea (LPC) with regard to local economies and administration. As the State Administrative Council (SAC) was replaced by the Cabinet, the Local Administrative and Economic Committee (LAEC) was abolished and its functions regarding local politics transferred to the LPC. Under Kim Jong-il, the cabinet's power was elevated to

title: Photojournalism in North Korea

text: Photojournalism in North Korea Photojournalism in the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (better known as North Korea) is heavily regulated by the government. Due to the extremely limited flow of information out of the country, there is no consensus over what rules are actually in place to govern photojournalism by members of foreign press services. Individual foreign photographers have been banned from North Korea for displaying photos that portray the country in an unfavorable light. North Korean leaders believe that their rules and censorship system is necessary in order to keep people under control, “to prevent the rise of criticism

title: North Korea

text: or "Joseon" (조선) in North Korea, and "Hanguk" (한국) in South Korea. In 1948, North Korea adopted "Democratic People's Republic of Korea" (/ "Chosŏn Minjujuŭi Inmin Konghwaguk"; ) as its new legal name. In the wider world, because the government controls the northern part of the Korean Peninsula, it is commonly called North Korea to distinguish it from South Korea, which is officially called the "Republic of Korea" in English. Both governments consider themselves to be the legitimate government of the whole of Korea. For this reason, the people do not consider themselves as 'North Koreans' but as Koreans in

title: Government of North Korea

text: Chang was already regarded as the second-most powerful person in North Korea and his appointment strengthened the probability that Kim's third son, Kim Jong-un, would succeed him. However, in December 2013 Chang was fired from all government posts and subsequently executed. Kim Jong Un ordered for his uncle to be executed. In June 2016, following the 7th WPK Conference, the Constitution of North Korea was updated, replacing the National Defence Commission with the State Affairs Commission and placing Kim Jong-un as the Chairman of the State Affairs Commission. This places Kim Jong-un as the official head of state. 7th Central

title: Government of North Korea

text: conclusion of most cases is foregone; experts outside North Korea and numerous defectors confirm this to be a widespread problem. Freedom House states that, "North Korea does not have an independent judiciary and does not acknowledge individual rights...reports of arbitrary detentions, 'disappearances,' and extrajudicial killings are common; torture is widespread and severe" North Korea's fifth and current constitution was approved and adopted in September 1998, replacing the one previously adopted in 1972. The former constitution had last been amended in 1992. Under the new constitution, North Korea is a socialist state representing the interests of all the Korean people. Criminal

title: Peace Village (North Korea)

text: vast cultivated farm-fields which are clearly visible, not only to visitors to the North Korean side of the DMZ, but to visitors to the South Korean side as well. In the 1980s, the South Korean government built a flagpole with a flag of South Korea in Daeseong-dong (). The North Korean government responded by building an even taller one, the Panmunjom flagpole, at with a flag of North Korea in Kijŏng-dong, across the demarcation line from South Korea (), in what some have called the "flagpole war". For over a decade, the flagpole was the tallest in the world. In

title: Government of North Korea

text: much less power than that formally bestowed on them by the party's charter. Kim Jong-un is the current chairman of the WPK. Relatively compared with other institutions of North Korea, the WPK remains to be the most ideological and views itself as the defender of the revolutionary way by emphasizing sovereignty and nationalism, as well as its commitment to a socialist ideology. Therefore in theory, the WPK opposes accommodation and economic reform of any type. In June 2010, Kim appointed his uncle (by marriage), Chang Sung-taek, as vice-chairman of the NDC, in a move seen as propping his own position.

title: North Korea

text: lack of a credible source. Many of the claims originate from the South Korean right-wing newspaper "The Chosun Ilbo". Max Fisher of "The Washington Post" has written that "almost any story [on North Korea] is treated as broadly credible, no matter how outlandish or thinly sourced". Occasional deliberate disinformation on the part of North Korean establishments further complicates the issue. The censorship in North Korea encompasses all the information produced by the media. Monitored heavily by government officials, the media is strictly used to reinforce ideals approved by the government. There is no freedom of press in North Korea as

title: North Korea

text: the current Supreme Leader or "Suryeong" of North Korea. He heads all major governing structures: he is Chairman of the Workers' Party of Korea, Chairman of the State Affairs Commission of North Korea, and Supreme Commander of the Korean People's Army. His grandfather Kim Il-sung, the founder and leader of North Korea until his death in 1994, is the country's "Eternal President", while his father Kim Jong-il who succeeded Kim Il-sung as leader was announced "Eternal General Secretary" after his death in 2011. According to the Constitution of North Korea there are officially three main branches of government. The first

title: Citizenship in North Korea

text: are not allowed to return to North Korea without special permission and approval from the South Korean government. Citizenship in North Korea Citizenship in North Korea is a status given to individuals recognized as North Korean by the government of the country. It is a source of shared national identity, but can also be one of contention or conflict. North Korea adopted a nationality law in 1963: 15 years after being founded on September 9, 1948. It has since been revised in 1995 and 1999. The nationality law of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) governs who is a

title: North Korea–South Korea relations

text: 2014 government-funded survey found 13% of South Koreans viewed North Korea as hostile, and 58% of South Koreans believed North Korea was a country they should cooperate with. On January 1, 2015, Kim Jong-un, in his New Year's address to the country, stated that he was willing to resume higher-level talks with the South. In the first week of August 2015, a mine went off at the DMZ, wounding two South Korean soldiers. The South Korean government accused the North of planting the mine, which the North denied. After that South Korea restarted propaganda broadcasts to the North. On August

title: Government of North Korea

text: equal status with Workers' Party of Korea (KWP) and Korean People's Army Ground Force. (KPA) A party chief secretary no longer concurrently holds the post of LPC chairman, which has been taken over by a former LAEC chairman. Thus, the LPC is theoretically independent of the local party and is under the control of the Cabinet. The status of the LPC as the local executive organ, in principle, became higher than before. The Economist Intelligence Unit listed North Korea in last place as a totalitarian regime in its 2012 Democracy Index assessing 168 countries. North Korea's judiciary is headed by

title: Indonesia–North Korea relations

text: program that is threatening South Korea and Japan, two nations that share a far closer politic relation, economic interest, and strategic partnership with Indonesia. Indonesia still continues to engage North Korea as it believes in dialog, and maintains that there is no point in isolation. The North Korean government operated the Pyongyang restaurant in Jakarta, serving North Korean cuisine, promoting North Korea as well as being the source of foreign currency for North Korean government. The Pyongyang restaurant had chefs, cooks, and waitresses straight from North Korea. The restaurant was closed after the death of Kim Jong Un’s stepbrother. Indonesia–North

title: Censorship in North Korea

text: censorship seen in North Korea today began with the nationalization of major industries, labor reforms, seizure of privately owned land and a propaganda campaign to enhance Kim Il-sung's image in North Korean minds. The Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) is the state news agency of North Korea that was established on December 5, 1946. The agency portrays the views of the North Korean government for other foreign powers and countries to consume. According to its website, KCNA "speaks for the Workers' Party of Korea and the government". It is seen as the most influential news outlet in North Korea because

title: Free North Korea Radio

text: Free North Korea Radio The Free North Korea Radio () is an independent radio broadcaster based in Seoul, South Korea. The station is run primarily by North Korean refugees and defectors and frequently broadcasts short-wave transmissions of information critical of the Government of North Korea to the general population inside North Korea. The radio was established by Kim Seong-min, an ex-DPRK military monitor for foreign broadcasts, who was influenced by the foreign broadcasts that he monitored and defected from the DPRK in 1996. Free North Korea Radio started broadcasting from Seoul in 2004. Free North Korea Radio staff have been

title: North Korea

text: be the legitimate government of the entire peninsula and adjacent islands. Both North Korea and South Korea became members of the United Nations in 1991. In 1910, Korea was annexed by Imperial Japan. After the Japanese surrender at the end of World War II in 1945, Korea was divided into two zones, with the north occupied by the Soviet Union and the south occupied by the United States. Negotiations on reunification failed, and in 1948, separate governments were formed: the socialist Democratic People's Republic of Korea in the north, and the capitalist Republic of Korea in the south. An invasion

title: North Hamgyeong Province (Republic of Korea)

text: North Hamgyeong Province (Republic of Korea) "North Hamgyeong Province" or "Hamgyeongbuk-do" () is, according to South Korean law, a province of the Republic of Korea, as the South Korean government formally claims to be the legitimate government of whole of Korea. The area constituting the province is under the "de facto" jurisdiction of North Korea. As South Korea does not recognize changes in administrative divisions made by North Korea, official maps of the South Korean government shows North Hamgyeong Province in its pre-1945 borders. The area corresponds to North Korea's North Hamgyong Province, Rason Special City and part of Ryanggang

title: North Pyeongan Province (Republic of Korea)

text: North Pyeongan Province (Republic of Korea) "North Pyeongan Province" or "Pyeonganbuk-do" () is, according to South Korean law, a province of the Republic of Korea, as the South Korean government formally claims to be the legitimate government of the whole of Korea. The area constituting the province is under the "de facto" jurisdiction of North Korea. As South Korea does not recognize changes in administrative divisions made by North Korea, official maps of the South Korean government shows North Pyeongan Province in its pre-1945 borders. The area corresponds to North Korea's North Pyongan Province and part of Chagang Province. To

title: North Korea

text: involved. A heavily guarded demilitarized zone (DMZ) still divides the peninsula, and an anti-communist and anti-North Korea sentiment remains in South Korea. Since the war, the United States has maintained a strong military presence in the South which is depicted by the North Korean government as an imperialist occupation force. It claims that the Korean War was caused by the United States and South Korea. The relative peace between the South and the North following the armistice was interrupted by border skirmishes, celebrity abductions, and assassination attempts. The North failed in several assassination attempts on South Korean leaders, such as

title: North Korea–South Korea relations

text: as part of measures primarily aimed at striking back at North Korea diplomatically and financially. North Korea denied all such allegations and responded by severing ties between the countries and announced it abrogated the previous non-aggression agreement. On November 23, 2010, North Korea's artillery fired at South Korea's Yeonpyeong island in the Yellow Sea and South Korea returned fire. Two South Korean marines and two civilians were killed, more than a dozen were wounded, including three civilians. About 10 North Koreans were believed to be killed; however the North Korean government denies this. The town was evacuated and South Korea

title: Free North Korea Radio

text: assaulted repeatedly by South Korean extremist groups who support the North Korean regime or fear the destabilizing effect of their broadcasts. The Free North Korea Radio had to relocate to the outskirts of Seoul in 2005. Free North Korea Radio The Free North Korea Radio () is an independent radio broadcaster based in Seoul, South Korea. The station is run primarily by North Korean refugees and defectors and frequently broadcasts short-wave transmissions of information critical of the Government of North Korea to the general population inside North Korea. The radio was established by Kim Seong-min, an ex-DPRK military monitor for

title: Censorship in North Korea

text: Censorship in North Korea Censorship in North Korea ranks among some of the most extreme in the world, with the government able to take strict control over communications. North Korea is ranked at the bottom of Reporters Without Borders' annual Press Freedom Index, occupying the last place in 2017. All media outlets are owned and controlled by the North Korean government. As such, all media in North Korea get their news from the Korean Central News Agency. The media dedicate a large portion of their resources toward political propaganda and promoting the personality cult of Kim Il-sung, Kim Jong-il and

title: Transport in North Korea

text: Transport in North Korea Transport in North Korea is constrained by economic problems and government restrictions. Public transport predominates, and most of it is electrified. Travel to North Korea is tightly controlled. The standard route to and from North Korea is by plane or train via Beijing International Airport. Transport directly to and from South Korea was possible on a limited scale from 2003 until 2008, when a road was opened (bus tours, no private cars). Freedom of movement in North Korea is also limited, as citizens are not allowed to move around freely inside their country. On October 14,

title: Transport in North Korea

text: Winter Olympic Games in South Korea had taken off. Road vehicles in North Korea bear distance stars. These are paint markings which display how far the particular vehicle has traveled without incident. Each star represents 50,000 kilometers travelled without an accident. The bus in this example has three stars, indicating that it has traveled over 150,000 kilometres without a crash. Transport in North Korea Transport in North Korea is constrained by economic problems and government restrictions. Public transport predominates, and most of it is electrified. Travel to North Korea is tightly controlled. The standard route to and from North Korea

title: Tanks of North Korea

text: the T-62, T-72, Type 88 and Ch'onma-ho MBTs. Outside parties codename the tank M-2002 because the tank went through performance trials on February 16, 2002 (therefore being officially confirmed by outside sources), although the tank may have been in existence since 1992. The P'okp'ung-ho is only known to be used in North Korea. Tanks of North Korea The history and development of the tank in North Korea spans the period from their adoption after World War II with the foundation of the Korean People's Army, into the Cold War and the present. Over this period North Korea has moved from

title: Vehicle registration plates of North Korea

text: with white characters bearing the word 'Kŭmgangsan' in Hangul, followed by four digits. Vehicles used by U.N. delegates display black plates which feature the word 'UNICEF' ('유니쎄프') rendered in Hangul, followed by a hyphen and a serial number, in white. Vehicle registration plates of North Korea North Korea has issued registration plates for all government and privately owned vehicles since 1947. The system is loosely based on that found in Japan insofar as numerical prefixes are applied to denote a particular type or class of vehicle. Privately owned vehicles display orange plates with black characters. The first two denote the

text: Vehicle registration plates of North Korea North Korea has issued registration plates for all government and privately owned vehicles since 1947. The system is loosely based on that found in Japan insofar as numerical prefixes are applied to denote a particular type or class of vehicle. Privately owned vehicles display orange plates with black characters. The first two denote the place of registration in the Hangul script. The remainder are the vehicle's actual registration number. Early examples contained up to 4 digits. Those issued since 1992 can have up to 5 digits split into two groups by a hyphen. Example

title: Telecommunications in North Korea

text: Korea border at Sinuiju. Internet access is provided by China Unicom. Before the fiber connection, international Internet access was limited to government-approved dial-up over land lines to China. In 2003 a joint venture between businessman Jan Holterman in Berlin and the North Korean government called KCC Europe brought the commercial Internet to North Korea. The connection was established through an Intelsat satellite link from North Korea to servers located in Germany. This link ended the need to dial ISPs in China. In 2007 North Korea successfully applied at ICANN for the .kp country code top-level domain (ccTLD). KCC Europe administered

title: Canada–North Korea relations

text: Official Delegate of Canada for the KFA is Comrade Trevor Spencer. Canada–North Korea relations Canada–North Korea relations refer to the relations between Canada and the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (commonly known as North Korea). Travel and commerce with North Korea are discouraged by the Canadian government and there is very little trade due to Canada's perspective that North Korea plays a destabilizing role in the Asia Pacific region. Although diplomatic relations between the two countries were established in February 2001, there have been no official embassies built in the two nations. Full diplomatic relations were suspended by Canada in

title: Liberty in North Korea

text: Liberty in North Korea Liberty in North Korea (LiNK) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization based out of Long Beach, California, United States, and Seoul, South Korea. The organization rescues North Korean refugees hiding in China and resettles them in South Korea or the United States, so that they can avoid being forcibly repatriated back to North Korea, where they can face harsh punishments as a result of illegally emigrating. The refugees first travel from China to Southeast Asia through what the organization calls a modern-day "Underground Railroad", where they can then be processed and travel to South Korea (or occasionally,

title: North Korea

text: economic crisis, severely damaging crops and infrastructure and led to widespread famine which the government proved incapable of curtailing. In 1996, the government accepted UN food aid. Since the outbreak of the famine, the government has reluctantly tolerated illegal black markets while officially maintaining a state socialist economy. Corruption flourished and disillusionment with the government spread. The international environment changed with the election of U.S. president George W. Bush in 2001. His administration rejected South Korea's Sunshine Policy and the Agreed Framework. The U.S. government treated North Korea as a rogue state, while North Korea redoubled its efforts to acquire

title: North Korea

text: army of 1.21 million is the fourth largest in the world, after China, the United States and India. It possesses nuclear weapons. International organizations have assessed that human rights violations in North Korea are commonplace and are so severe as to have no parallel in the contemporary world. The North Korean government strongly denies most allegations, accusing international organizations of fabricating human rights abuses as part of a smear campaign with the covert intention of regime change, although they admit that there are human rights issues relating to living conditions which the government is attempting to correct. The name "Korea"

title: North Korea–Vietnam relations

text: dominance in Indochina. Around this time, the Vietnam War came to an end. The government of North Vietnam, unlike that of North Korea, succeeded in reunifying the whole country by 1975. During the Cambodian–Vietnamese War, the Korean leadership condemned the Vietnamese invasion of Cambodia, refused to recognize the People's Republic of Kampuchea, and allowed the exiled Norodom Sihanouk to stay in Korea. According to the historian, Balazs Szalontai, Vietnam came to resent what it saw as Korea's self-centred behaviour, and the two governments became rivals rather than friends. In the 1990s and 2000s, Korean-Vietnamese relations declined even more due to

title: Human rights in North Korea

text: Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi the involvement of North Korean "special institutions" in the kidnapping of Japanese citizens during a period of six years from 1977 to 1983. Kim officially admitted to abducting 13 Japanese citizens out of 17 Japanese the Japanese government accused North Korea of abducting. He stated that those responsible had been punished. Five surviving victims were allowed to visit Japan and decided not to return to North Korea. For eight more Japanese abductees, officials claimed deaths caused by accidents or illnesses; Japan says this leaves two still unaccounted for, and says that what the North claimed were

title: Cabinet of North Korea

text: Cabinet of North Korea The Cabinet of North Korea ("Naegak") is, according to the Constitution of North Korea, the administrative and executive body and a general state-management organ in the Government of North Korea. The Cabinet's principal newspaper is "Minju Choson". In North Korea's first constitution, adopted in 1948, the executive powers were vested in the Cabinet, chaired by Kim Il-sung himself. The 1972 constitution saw the establishment of the post of President of North Korea which led the executive branch, and the cabinet was split into two organizations: The Central People's Committee and the State Administration Council. The Central

title: Media of North Korea

text: news and other media outside the state-controlled media authorized by the government. While access to the internet is tightly controlled, radio and DVDs are common media accessed, and in border areas, television. News agency Newspapers North Korean online media aimed at foreign audience Foreign media targeted at North Korea Analysis Media of North Korea The media of North Korea is amongst the most strictly controlled in the world. The constitution nominally provides for freedom of speech and the press. However, the government prohibits the exercise of these rights in practice, unless it is in praise of the country and its

title: North Korea–Singapore relations

text: require a visa.<ref name="Countries/Regions Requiring Visa"></ref> Singaporeans holding a normal passport will also need a visa after obtaining authorization from the North Korean government to visit North Korea for both business and tourism. North Koreans occasionally travel to Singapore for medical treatment. North Korea and Singapore both belong to the Non-Aligned Movement, with Singapore joining in 1970, and North Korea in 1976. North Korea has also been a participant at the ASEAN Regional Forum since 2000, which is organized by ASEAN, of which Singapore is a founding member. North Korea foreign minister traditionally visits Singapore after or before every ARF

title: Grenada–North Korea relations

text: assistance to the People’s Revolutionary Government of Grenada. The agreement was in return for weapons and ammunitions that were worth US$12 million. During the United States invasion of Grenada, North Korea sent 24 troops to fight against the United States and the Caribbean Peace Force troops. Grenada–North Korea relations Grenada–North Korea relations () were formally formal diplomatic relations between the People's Revolutionary Government of Grenada and the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea. The People's Revolutionary Government of Grenada and the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea established full diplomatic relations on Wednesday 9 May 1979. The two countries' diplomatic relationship ended

title: North Korea

text: core of North Korean diplomacy and have seen numerous shifts in the last few decades. North Korea's policy is to seek reunification without what it sees as outside interference, through a federal structure retaining each side's leadership and systems. In 1972, the two Koreas agreed in principle to achieve reunification through peaceful means and without foreign interference. On 10 October 1980 then North Korean president Kim Il-sung proposed a federation between North and South Korea named the Democratic Federal Republic of Korea in which the respective political systems would initially remain. However, relations remained cool well until the early 1990s,

title: Telecommunications in North Korea

text: Telecommunications in North Korea Telecommunications in North Korea refers to the communication services available in North Korea. North Korea has not fully adopted mainstream Internet technology due to its isolationist policies. North Korea has an adequate telephone system, with 1.18 million fixed lines available in 2008. However, most phones are only installed for senior government officials. Someone wanting a phone installed must fill out a form indicating their rank, why he/she wants a phone, and how he/she will pay for it. Most of these are installed in government offices, collective farms, and state-owned enterprises (SOEs), with only perhaps 10 percent

title: Foreign relations of North Korea

text: an agreement, exchanging Zimbabwean uranium for DPRK arms. The DPRK is a member of the following international organizations: Foreign relations of North Korea The foreign relations of North Korea – officially the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) – have been shaped by its conflict with capitalist countries like South Korea and its historical ties with world communism. Both the government of the DPRK and the government of South Korea (officially the Republic of Korea) claim to be the government of the whole of Korea. The Korean War in the 1950s failed to resolve the issue, leaving the DPRK locked

title: Canada–North Korea relations

text: Canada–North Korea relations Canada–North Korea relations refer to the relations between Canada and the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (commonly known as North Korea). Travel and commerce with North Korea are discouraged by the Canadian government and there is very little trade due to Canada's perspective that North Korea plays a destabilizing role in the Asia Pacific region. Although diplomatic relations between the two countries were established in February 2001, there have been no official embassies built in the two nations. Full diplomatic relations were suspended by Canada in 2010 and replaced by a Controlled Engagement Policy limiting official bilateral

title: Tourism in North Korea

text: Tourism in North Korea Tourism in North Korea is tightly controlled by the North Korean government. Only about 4,000 to 6,000 Western tourists visit North Korea each year. All tourism is organized by one of several state-owned tourism bureaus, including Korea International Travel Company (KITC), Korean International Sports Travel Company (KISTC), Korean International Taekwondo Tourism Company (KITTC) and Korean International Youth Travel Company (KIYTC). Interactions between foreign tourists and local people have historically been tightly controlled; however, from photos seen around the Internet and evidence from travelers to North Korea, those restrictions seem to have relaxed slightly in the past

title: North Korea–Tanzania relations

text: has operated around 13 medical clinics in the country of which two were closed down. With the two clinics closed down, the government found various irregularities with the clinics. Doctors were not licensed and they were performing unlicensed medical practices. North Korea maintains an embassy in Dar es Salaam which is accredited to all neighboring nations except Uganda and Kenya. The Tanzanian embassy in China is accredited to maintain relations with North Korea. North Korea–Tanzania relations North Korean–Tanzanian relations () are bilateral relations between Democratic Peoples' Republic of Korea and Tanzania. Tanzania and North Korea have a long history of

title: Citizenship in North Korea

text: born in North Korea with "unknown or stateless parents." The process of naturalization involves formal proceedings for acquiring citizenship of a country. It is not guaranteed and can involve a wide variety of stipulations. In North Korea, the status of naturalization is unclear. It can only be granted by the Presidium of the Supreme People's Assembly, and further specific requirements are unknown. The government of North Korea does not recognize dual nationality. However, North Korean citizens who flee to South Korea automatically become South Korean citizens. Also, North Korean citizens who defect to South Korea and become South Korean citizens

title: Propaganda in North Korea

text: political and military messages aimed at the youth of North Korea. The North Korean government is known for dropping Propaganda leaflets to South Korean soldiers, just across the Demilitarized Zone. The leaflets are dropped across in a floating balloon. The leaflets criticize the South Korean government and praise North Korea. North Korea made its first entry into the social media market in 2010. The country has launched its own website, Facebook page, had its own YouTube channel, Twitter account and Flickr page. The profile picture of all social media accounts, according to the official Korean Central News Agency, is the

title: Censorship in North Korea

text: through the network. The North Korean Ullim, an Android-based tablet computer available since 2014, has a high level of inbuilt surveillance and controls. The tablet takes screenshots of apps opened by the user and saves browsing history. Censorship in North Korea Censorship in North Korea ranks among some of the most extreme in the world, with the government able to take strict control over communications. North Korea is ranked at the bottom of Reporters Without Borders' annual Press Freedom Index, occupying the last place in 2017. All media outlets are owned and controlled by the North Korean government. As such,

title: Government of North Korea

text: the Supreme Court of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea, which consists of a Chief Justice and two People's Assessors; three judges may be present in some cases. Their terms of office coincide with those of the members of the Supreme People's Assembly. Every court in North Korea has the same composition as the Central Court. The judicial system is theoretically held accountable to the SPA and the Presidium of the SPA when the legislature is not in session. The judiciary does not practice judicial review. The security forces so often interfere with the actions of the judiciary that the

title: Crime in North Korea

text: the then-North Korean leader Kim Jong-il to negotiate their release. In April 2013, American tour operator Kenneth Bae, also known as Pae Jun Ho, was accused of plotting to overthrow the North Korean government. State media reported that there was evidence to substantiate the claim. He has since been released and allowed to return to the United States. According to the law of North Korea, such an act is punishable either by a life sentence in prison, or death. Prostitution in North Korea is illegal and, according to the North Korean government, does not exist. However, the government is reported

title: Grenada–North Korea relations

text: Grenada–North Korea relations Grenada–North Korea relations () were formally formal diplomatic relations between the People's Revolutionary Government of Grenada and the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea. The People's Revolutionary Government of Grenada and the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea established full diplomatic relations on Wednesday 9 May 1979. The two countries' diplomatic relationship ended in 24 January 1985. Grenada and the DPRK resumed diplomatic relations in 11 December 1991. On April 14, 1983, the People's Revolutionary Government of Grenada and the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea signed an agreement for the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea to offer free military

title: Cuba–North Korea relations

text: apparently to be repaired in North Korea and returned. The ship was later handed back to the North Korean government. In January 2016, North Korea and Cuba established a barter trade system. Also in 2016, the Workers' Party of Korea and the Communist Party of Cuba met to discuss strengthening ties. After Fidel Castro's death in 2016, the North Korean government declared a three-day mourning period and sent an official delegation to his funeral. North Korean leader Kim Jong-un visited the Cuban embassy in Pyongyang to pay his respects. In 2018, the new Cuban President Miguel Diaz-Canel visited North Korea,

title: Premier of North Korea

text: Premier of North Korea The Premier of the Cabinet () is nominally the non-executive head of government of North Korea. The office is also alternatively known as Prime Minister of North Korea. The current premier is Pak Pong-ju. Originally, under the 1948 Constitution of the DPRK, the Premier was a very important post and held actual power over the government. Kim Il-sung himself inaugurated the post, keeping it for 24 years until 1972, while the ceremonial role of the head of State rested in the Chairman of the Standing Committee of the Supreme People's Assembly. The 1972 Constitution created the

title: Cuba–North Korea relations

text: Cuba–North Korea relations Cuba–North Korea relations (, ) are the bilateral relations between Cuba and North Korea. Cuba has had diplomatic relations with North Korea since 29 August 1960. Cuba maintains an embassy in Pyongyang and North Korea maintains an embassy in Havana. Cuba has been one of North Korea's most consistent allies. North Korean media portrays Cubans as comrades in the common cause of socialism. During the Cold War, North Korea and Cuba forged a bond of solidarity based on their militant positions opposing American power. Che Guevara, then a Cuban government minister, visited North Korea in 1960 and

title: Women in North Korea

text: Women in North Korea The status of women in North Korea is not fully understood outside the country, due to the political isolation of North Korea, the unwillingness of the North Korean authorities to allow foreign investigators access in the country, and the existence of conflicting reports. The official position of the North Korean government is that women have equal rights with men. North Korea has enacted laws such as the Law on Sex Equality, the Labor Law, and the Law on Nationalization of Essential Industries. Although these social systems have not entirely been successful, they have been integrated into

title: 2017–18 North Korea crisis

text: Olympics. North and South Korea marched together in the Olympics opening ceremony and fielded a united women's ice hockey team. As well as the athletes, North Korea sent an unprecedented high-level delegation, headed by Kim Yo-jong, sister of Kim Jong-un, and President Kim Yong-nam, and including performers like the Samjiyon Orchestra. The delegation passed along an invitation to President Moon to visit North Korea. According to North Korea expert Sung-Yoon Lee, North Korea's policy toward the Olympics is to enhance North Korea's status: "One doesn't need to be a genius to see that this is what North Korea does: After

title: Constitution of North Korea

text: which the constitution previously assigned to the Cabinet. Constitution of North Korea The Socialist Constitution of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea is the constitution of North Korea. It states that the country is socialist and lays out the framework of the national government and the functions of the ruling state party, the Workers' Party of Korea in relation to the Cabinet and Supreme People's Assembly (the country's parliament). The constitution is divided into 166 articles, split between three sections. North Korea is also governed by the Ten Principles for the Establishment of a Monolithic Ideological System, which some claim

title: Constitution of North Korea

text: Constitution of North Korea The Socialist Constitution of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea is the constitution of North Korea. It states that the country is socialist and lays out the framework of the national government and the functions of the ruling state party, the Workers' Party of Korea in relation to the Cabinet and Supreme People's Assembly (the country's parliament). The constitution is divided into 166 articles, split between three sections. North Korea is also governed by the Ten Principles for the Establishment of a Monolithic Ideological System, which some claim have come to supersede the constitution and in

title: Pornography in North Korea

text: Pornography in North Korea Pornography is forbidden in North Korea. The production, distribution and importation of pornography is punished harshly by the government. Nevertheless, pornography is widespread in the country because people secretly import it, or locally produce it. The possession of it first became popular amongst elites during the late 1990s, when Kim Jong-il ruled over the country. High ranking political and military officials were the most active consumers of pornography. Today, pornography is sold openly on the China–North Korea border despite the governments attempts to curtail circulation. Most of the content consumed in North Korea is produced outside

title: Tourism in North Korea

text: In 2011, a Tumen-Korean train service was scheduled to start. Though gambling is prohibited for North Korean citizens, two casinos exist in North Korea for the Chinese tourist market – the Imperial Hotel & Casino in Rason and the Pyongyang Casino in the Yanggakdo International Hotel in Pyongyang. In 2016, the North Korea government allowed Chinese tourists to stay in North Korea for a maximum of 6 months. In principle, any person is allowed to travel to North Korea; only South Koreans and journalists are routinely denied, although there have been some exceptions for journalists. For instance, Croatian journalists had

title: Cabinet of North Korea

text: Premier nominates. The cabinet forms acts in the form of decisions and directives. The Cabinet shall: At a local level, the Cabinet supervises the Local People's Committees. Cabinet of North Korea The Cabinet of North Korea ("Naegak") is, according to the Constitution of North Korea, the administrative and executive body and a general state-management organ in the Government of North Korea. The Cabinet's principal newspaper is "Minju Choson". In North Korea's first constitution, adopted in 1948, the executive powers were vested in the Cabinet, chaired by Kim Il-sung himself. The 1972 constitution saw the establishment of the post of President

title: Citizenship in North Korea

text: Citizenship in North Korea Citizenship in North Korea is a status given to individuals recognized as North Korean by the government of the country. It is a source of shared national identity, but can also be one of contention or conflict. North Korea adopted a nationality law in 1963: 15 years after being founded on September 9, 1948. It has since been revised in 1995 and 1999. The nationality law of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) governs who is a citizen of the DPRK, and how one may gain or lose such citizenship. It prescribes citizenship qualifications, citizen

title: North Korea–Poland relations

text: North Korea–Poland relations Poland is one of the few countries that maintain diplomatic and limited trading (fishing) relations with Democratic People's Republic of Korea. Poland recognized the DPRK on 16 October 1948 as the sole legitimate government of the whole Korea. North Korea maintains an embassy in Warsaw, and Poland in Pyongyang. The current North Korean ambassador is Geun Ri. The current Polish ambassador is Krzysztof Ciebień. According to a 2013 BBC World Service Poll, only 5% of Poles view North Korea's influence positively, with 68% expressing a negative view. From June 1956 until 1993, Poland remained part of the

title: Mongolia–North Korea relations

text: Mongolia–North Korea relations Mongolia–North Korea relations (, ) are the historic and current bilateral relations between Mongolia and the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (North Korea). The two countries established diplomatic relations on October 15, 1948. Mongolia was the second country to recognize North Korea after the Soviet Union. Mongolia provided assistance to North Korea during the Korean War, although it did not directly participate, and it also contributed to the post-war reconstruction of the DPRK. On the basis of an aid agreement signed at the end of 1953, the Mongolian government sent 10,000 horses to North Korea. After the

title: Premier of North Korea

text: often changed. The following is a list of premiers of North Korea since its founding in 1948. The Premier is represented by a number of vice premiers, who act as a high-ranking executive assistant to the Premier. They are: Im Chol-ung, Jon Kwang-ho, Kim Tok-hun, Ko In-ho, Ri Ju-o, Ri Mu-yong, Ri Ryong-nam, Ro Tu-chol, and Tong Jong-ho. Previous officer holders include: Premier of North Korea The Premier of the Cabinet () is nominally the non-executive head of government of North Korea. The office is also alternatively known as Prime Minister of North Korea. The current premier is Pak Pong-ju.

title: Cuba–North Korea relations

text: stressing socialist solidarity and opposition to sanctions. Cuba–North Korea relations Cuba–North Korea relations (, ) are the bilateral relations between Cuba and North Korea. Cuba has had diplomatic relations with North Korea since 29 August 1960. Cuba maintains an embassy in Pyongyang and North Korea maintains an embassy in Havana. Cuba has been one of North Korea's most consistent allies. North Korean media portrays Cubans as comrades in the common cause of socialism. During the Cold War, North Korea and Cuba forged a bond of solidarity based on their militant positions opposing American power. Che Guevara, then a Cuban government

title: Foreign relations of North Korea

text: Foreign relations of North Korea The foreign relations of North Korea – officially the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) – have been shaped by its conflict with capitalist countries like South Korea and its historical ties with world communism. Both the government of the DPRK and the government of South Korea (officially the Republic of Korea) claim to be the government of the whole of Korea. The Korean War in the 1950s failed to resolve the issue, leaving the DPRK locked in a military confrontation with South Korea and the United States Forces Korea across the Demilitarized Zone. At

title: North Korea–Romania relations

text: had a rapprochement with the United States. In 1973, North Korea tried to use Romania as an intermediary with the US, but the Romanian diplomats didn't want to harm their developing relationship with the US. Relations between North Korea and Romania became strained after Romania's Communist government fell. Ceausescu's execution during the 1989 Romanian Revolution and the 1991 dissolution of the Soviet Union resulted in Romania rejecting the totalitarian ideologies the North Korean government still promotes. Romania allied itself with nations hostile to the DPRK: it established relations with North Korea's rival the Republic of Korea (South Korea) on March

text: Province. To symbolize its claims, the South Korean government established The Committee for the Five Northern Korean Provinces as an administrative body for the five northern provinces. A governor for North Hamgyeong Province is appointed by the President of South Korea. Hamgyeongbuk-do is divided into 3 cities ("si") and 11 counties ("gun"). North Hamgyeong Province (Republic of Korea) "North Hamgyeong Province" or "Hamgyeongbuk-do" () is, according to South Korean law, a province of the Republic of Korea, as the South Korean government formally claims to be the legitimate government of whole of Korea. The area constituting the province is under

text: symbolize its claims, the South Korean government established The Committee for the Five Northern Korean Provinces as an administrative body for the five northern provinces. A governor for North Pyeongan Province is appointed by the President of South Korea. Pyeonganbuk-do is divided into 1 cities (si) and 19 counties (gun). North Pyeongan Province (Republic of Korea) "North Pyeongan Province" or "Pyeonganbuk-do" () is, according to South Korean law, a province of the Republic of Korea, as the South Korean government formally claims to be the legitimate government of the whole of Korea. The area constituting the province is under the

title: Provisional People's Committee for North Korea

text: government. According to the U.S. military government, 400,000 northern Koreans went south as refugees.r Key industries were nationalized. The economic situation was nearly as difficult in the North as it was in the South, as the Japanese had concentrated agriculture in the south and heavy industry in the north. The Democratic People's Republic of Korea was proclaimed on September 9, 1948, effectively dissolving the provisional government. Soviet forces departed from North Korea in 1948. Provisional People's Committee for North Korea The Provisional People’s Committee for North Korea, colloquially known as Soviet Korea, was the official name of the provisional government

title: Telecommunications in North Korea

text: selling well in North Korea, primarily used for watching South Korean dramas and films on personal computers. Telecommunications in North Korea Telecommunications in North Korea refers to the communication services available in North Korea. North Korea has not fully adopted mainstream Internet technology due to its isolationist policies. North Korea has an adequate telephone system, with 1.18 million fixed lines available in 2008. However, most phones are only installed for senior government officials. Someone wanting a phone installed must fill out a form indicating their rank, why he/she wants a phone, and how he/she will pay for it. Most of

title: North Korea–Serbia relations

text: respectively, for financial reasons. Nevertheless, they continue to enjoy a close relationship. The Serbian Embassy to North Korea is accredited from Beijing, China, and the North Korean embassy to Serbia is accredited from Sofia, Bulgaria. Under President Slobodan Milosevic, Serbia had a very close relationship with North Korea. It was rumoured that North Korean students came to study in Belgrade. Yet trade between Yugoslavia and North Korea was very limited, worth roughly 1.37 million Euros. During the 1999 NATO bombing of Yugoslavia, the North Korean government strongly condemned NATO aggression against Serbia. The North Korean foreign minister Paek Man Sun

title: Myanmar–North Korea relations

text: Korea and Myanmar deepened into cooperation with nuclear issues. Myanmar is believed to operate a nuclear weapons program that seeks to emulate the success of North Korea's nuclear weapons capability. The program is supported by North Korean training and equipment. Although the 2011–2015 Myanmar political reforms have led to the cancellation or downgrading of military ties, reports on suspicious activities have continued . Burma (Myanmar) and North Korea already had some contacts in 1948 when Burma became independent. U Nu's government, however, voted in favor of the motion in the UN that recognized Syngman Rhee's government as the legitimate government

title: North Korea

text: a command economy where the state owns almost all means of production and development priorities are defined by the government. North Korea has the structural profile of a relatively industrialized country where nearly half of the Gross Domestic Product is generated by industry and human development is at medium levels. Purchasing power parity (PPP) GDP is estimated at $40 billion, with a very low per capita value of $1,800. In 2012, Gross national income per capita was $1,523, compared to $28,430 in South Korea. The North Korean won is the national currency, issued by the Central Bank of the Democratic

title: North Korea–Russia relations

text: they provided North Korea and China with badly needed pilots. However the Soviet government under Gorbachev began to reduce aid to North after 1985 in favor of reconciliation with South Korea. Military equipment continued to be provided until a last batch of MiG-29s was delivered in 1989. After the dissolution of the Soviet Union, the new Russian government under Boris Yeltsin refused to provide support for North Korea, favoring South Korea instead. The first meeting of the Inter-governmental Commission for Trade, Economic, and Scientific-Technical Cooperation between Russia and DPRK was held in the spring of 1996 led by Deputy Premier

title: Kenya–North Korea relations

text: Daily Nation, Kenya's leading newspaper, North Korean officials have visited Nairobi twice with intent of starting a mission in Nairobi. The officials visited Nairobi in November 2014 and March 2015. According to the paper, the UN pressured the Kenyan government to reject North Korea's application to establish a resident mission in Nairobi. Kenya's Foreign Affairs Principal Secretary, Karanja Kibicho commented and said that North Korea never made the request to establish a Nairobi mission. Kenya–North Korea relations Kenya–North Korea relations () are bilateral relations between Kenya and North Korea. Ties between Kenya and North Korea date back to 12 May

title: Television in North Korea

text: Television in North Korea Television in North Korea is subject to the Korean Central Broadcasting Committee and controlled by the Propaganda and Agitation Department of the Workers' Party of Korea. A study in 2017 found that 98% of households had a television set. Television in North Korea uses a PAL 576i analog signal transmission system and 4:3 aspect ratio. The main signal transmission means it is terrestrial broadcasting, but Pyongyang has its own cable TV. The three major television channels – Korean Central Television, Mansudae and – as of 2014 are available in a special app found on the government

title: Politics of North Korea

text: to see itself as part of a worldwide leftist movement. The Workers' Party maintains a relationship with other leftist parties, sending a delegation to the International Meeting of Communist and Workers' Parties. North Korea has a strong relationship with Cuba; in 2016, the North Korean government declared three days of mourning period for Fidel Castro's death. For much of its history, North Korean politics have been dominated by its adversarial relationship with South Korea. During the Cold War, North Korea aligned with the Soviet Union and the People's Republic of China. The North Korean government invested heavily in its military,

title: North Korea–South Korea relations

text: Seoul, to be occupied by the US. This was incorporated into General Order No. 1 to Japanese forces after the Surrender of Japan on August 15. On August 24, the Red Army entered Pyongyang and established a military government over Korea north of the parallel. American forces landed in the south on September 8 and established the United States Army Military Government in Korea. The Allies had originally envisaged a joint trusteeship which would steer Korea towards independence, but most Korean nationalists wanted independence immediately. Meanwhile, the wartime co-operation between the Soviet Union and the US deteriorated as the Cold

title: North Korea–Seychelles relations

text: North Korea–Seychelles relations North Korea–Seychelles relations refers to the current and historical relationship between North Korea and Seychelles. Neither country maintains an embassy in their respective capitals. During the 1977–2004 rule of President France-Albert René, the socialist and non-aligned government of Seychelles – a small African Indian Ocean island nation – maintained close relations with the Democratic Republic of Korea, commonly known as North Korea. The country received significant North Korean developmental aid. Much of the cooperation was military. Uniformed North Korean soldiers were present in the country in 1980. Another example of military cooperation was the 1983 deployment of

title: Internet in North Korea

text: example, had in 2012 just one IP address on the global Internet. North Korea's telecommunications ministry was previously also the registered user of 256 China Unicom addresses (210.52.109.0 - 210.52.109.255). This pre-dated the activation of North Korea's own block. In October 2017 it was reported that Russian ISP TransTelekom was routing traffic from North Korea as a second internet connection, together with China Unicom. Internet in North Korea Internet access is available but strictly limited in North Korea; it is only permitted with special authorization and primarily used for government purposes and by foreigners. The country has some broadband infrastructure,

title: Tanks of North Korea

text: forces, for example in the Battle of Kapyong, had blunted the impetus of the Chinese offensive and allowed UN forces to retreat to prepared defensive positions north of Seoul, where the Chinese were halted. The PT-76 (Not to be confused with Ob'yekt 906 or PT-85) is a Soviet amphibious light tank that was introduced in the early 1950s and soon became the standard reconnaissance tank of the Soviet Army and the other Warsaw Pact armed forces. Ordered in 1965, North Korea is believed to have around 500 in reserve. The Norinco Type 63 () tanks which North Korea has, is

title: Mining in North Korea

text: the country's GDP). Another estimate puts the nation's 2015 coal exports at 19.7 million tonnes, worth $1.1 billion. The regime relies on these profits to procure much of what it needs the most. Mining in North Korea Mining in North Korea is important to the country's economy. North Korea is naturally abundant in metals such as magnesite, zinc, tungsten, and iron; with magnesite resources of 6 billion tonnes (second largest in the world), particularly in the Hamgyeong-do and Jagang-do provinces. However, often these cannot be mined due to the acute shortage of electricity in the country, as well as the

title: Economy of North Korea

text: Group of Korea is the official company that manages oversea investments to North Korea. North and South Korea's economic ties have fluctuated greatly over the past 30 years or so. In the late 1990s and most of the 2000s, North-South relations warmed under the Sunshine Policy of President Kim Dae-jung. Many firms agreed to invest in North Korea, encouraged by the South Korean government's commitment to cover their losses, should investment projects in the north fail to become profitable. Following a 1988 decision by the South Korean Government to allow trade with the North (see Reunification efforts since 1971), South

title: Ghana–North Korea relations

text: Ghana–North Korea relations Ghana and North Korea established diplomatic relations in 1964. Even before diplomatic relations were established, Ghana had campaigned, along with other African nations, for recognition of North Korea as an observer in the United Nations (UN). Trade relations between the two countries preceded diplomatic relations. North Korea's leader Kim Il-sung shared much in common politically with Ghana's Kwame Nkrumah. After Nkrumah was ousted, North Korea ended up in a diplomatic spat with Ghana, which accused it of training anti-government rebels. By the late-1960s, North Korea was again supporting Ghana as an anti-imperialist force in Africa. In the

title: Politics of North Korea

text: with both South Korea and the United States. North Korea has also experimented with market economics in some sectors of its economy, but these have had limited impact. Some outside observers have suggested that Kim Jong-il himself favored such reforms but that some parts of the party and the military resisted any changes that might threaten stability for North Korea. Although there are occasional reports of signs of opposition to the government, these appear to be isolated, and there is no evidence of major internal threats to the current government. Some foreign analysts have pointed to widespread starvation, increased emigration

title: North Korea–Togo relations

text: Korean embassy staff from Togo. During the Cold War, the DPRK provided significant aid to the Togolese government. The military of Togo also received training from North Korean military adviser teams deployed to the country. North Korea–Togo relations North Korea–Togo relations () refers to the current and historical relationship between North Korea and Togo. Neither country maintains an embassy in their respective capitals, although North Korea formerly had an embassy in Lomé. During the 1967–2005 rule of General Gnassingbé Eyadéma, father of current dictator Faure Gnassingbé, Togo maintained close relations with the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK, commonly known

title: Media of North Korea

text: A few of the government elite with state approval are connected to the internet via a link to China. The general population of North Korea do not have internet access, however the people do have access to Kwangmyong, an intranet set up by the government. North Korea itself has a limited presence on the internet, with several sites on their national .kp domain. The "Mosquito Net" filtering model used in North Korea attempts to attract foreign investment, while the filter simultaneously blocks foreign ideas. Despite extremely strict regulations and draconian penalties, North Koreans, particularly elite citizens, have increasing access to

title: China–North Korea border

text: A leaked China Mobile document that went viral on Chinese social media on 7 December 2017 allegedly revealed Chinese government plans to construct five "refugee settlement points" along the border to North Korea in Changbai county and Jilin province. This was apparently in preparation for a large influx of North Korean refugees if the Kim regime collapsed in a potential conflict with the United States. "The Guardian" quoted the document: "Due to cross-border tensions … the [Communist] party committee and government of Changbai county has proposed setting up five refugee camps in the county." China–North Korea border The China–North Korea

title: Government of South Korea

text: territory of South Korea as "the Korean Peninsula and its adjacent islands," the courts of South Korea have allowed representatives of North Koreans to appear in South Korean courts with respect to inheritance in cases of deceased South Koreans with North Korean heirs. Assets pursuant to these claims are held in trust and dispersed only with government approval. Elections in South Korea are held on national level to select the President and the National Assembly. South Korea has a multi-party system, with two dominant parties and numerous third parties. Elections are overseen by the Electoral Branch, National Election Commission (Republic

title: Brazil–North Korea relations

text: Brazil–North Korea relations Brazil–North Korea relations () are the current and historical bilateral relations between Brazil and North Korea. Brazil has an embassy in Pyongyang. According to a 2013 BBC World Service Poll, 22% of Brazilians view North Korea's influence positively, with 47% expressing a negative view. Despite the Brazilian government's economic relations with North Korea, it has generally condemned controversial North Korean actions that threaten stability in East Asia, such as the 2009 North Korean nuclear test, upon which the Brazilian Ministry for Foreign Affairs stated that the Brazilian Government vehemently condemns North Korea's nuclear test and urged the

title: North Korea

text: While some analysts believe private commerce recently changed the Songbun system to some extent, most North Korean refugees say it remains a commanding presence in everyday life. The North Korean government claims all citizens are equal and denies any discrimination on the basis of family background. North Korea has maintained one of the most closed and centralized economies in the world since the 1940s. For several decades it followed the Soviet pattern of five-year plans with the ultimate goal of achieving self-sufficiency. Extensive Soviet and Chinese support allowed North Korea to rapidly recover from the Korean War and register very

title: Economy of North Korea

text: North Korea claims that it is the only state in the world that does not levy taxes. Taxes were abolished beginning on April 1, 1974. Since 2003, North Korean authorities issue government bonds called The "People's Life Bonds". North Korea sold bonds internationally in the late 1970s for 680 million Deutsche marks and 455 million Swiss francs. North Korea defaulted on these bonds by 1984, although the bonds remain traded internationally on speculation that the country would eventually perform on the obligations. North Korea's self-reliant development strategy assigned top priority to developing heavy industry, with parallel development in agriculture and

title: Media of North Korea

text: Media of North Korea The media of North Korea is amongst the most strictly controlled in the world. The constitution nominally provides for freedom of speech and the press. However, the government prohibits the exercise of these rights in practice, unless it is in praise of the country and its government and leader. The government not only tightly controls all information coming in and out of the country, but seeks to mold information at its source. A typical example of this was the death of Kim Jong-il, news of which was not divulged until two days after it occurred. Kim