query: what form of government does north korea?

title: Capital punishment in North Korea

text: Capital punishment in North Korea Capital punishment is a legal and often-used form of punishment in North Korea for many offences, such as grand theft, murder, rape, drug smuggling, treason, espionage, political dissidence, defection, piracy, consumption of media not approved by the government and proselytizing religious beliefs that contradict practiced "Juche" ideology. Current working knowledge of the topic depends heavily on the accounts of defectors (both relatives of victims, and former members of the government). Executions are mostly carried out by firing squad, hanging or decapitation in public, making North Korea one of the last four countries to still perform

title: Politics of North Korea

text: by other minor parties as well, including the Korea Buddhist Federation, Democratic Independent Party, Dongro People's Party, Gonmin People's Alliance, and People's Republic Party. Originally a close ally of Joseph Stalin's Soviet Union, North Korea has increasingly emphasized "Juche", an adoption of socialist self-reliance, which roots from Marxism–Leninism, it's adoption of a certain ideological form of Marxism-Leninism is specific to the conditions of North Korea. "Juche" was enshrined as the official ideology when the country adopted a new constitution in 1972. In 2009, the constitution was amended again, quietly removing the brief references to communism (). However, North Korea continues

title: Capital punishment in North Korea

text: in North Korea. Testimonies describe secret and public executions in North Korean prisons by firing squad, decapitation or by hanging. Executions are used as a means of deterrence, often accompanied by torture. Capital punishment in North Korea Capital punishment is a legal and often-used form of punishment in North Korea for many offences, such as grand theft, murder, rape, drug smuggling, treason, espionage, political dissidence, defection, piracy, consumption of media not approved by the government and proselytizing religious beliefs that contradict practiced "Juche" ideology. Current working knowledge of the topic depends heavily on the accounts of defectors (both relatives of

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: 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: 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: 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: 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: 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: 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: 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: 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: Foreign relations of North Korea

text: North Korea Syria Nonproliferation Act in 2000. In 2016, there were reports that DPRK troops were fighting to defend the Syrian government in the Syrian Civil War. The Republic of China (Taiwan) does not recognise North Korea as a state. Taiwanese Premier Lai Ching-te approved a total ban on trade between Taiwan and North Korea in September 2017. Taiwanese businessmen have been accused of selling coal, oil and gas to North Korea, as well as importing North Korean textiles and employing North Koreans in Taiwanese fishing vessels. Tanzania and the DPRK have a long history of military cooperation, going back

title: Taxation in North Korea

text: Taxation in North Korea Officially, there are no taxes in North Korea. The date of 1 April is the North Korean "Tax Abolition Day". North Korean propaganda claims that North Korea is the world's only tax-free country. The North Korean state, however, still collects revenue from its citizens in the form of hidden taxation through various sales taxes. In particular, the turnover tax from consumption provides for the majority of the state revenue in North Korea. The North Korean state does, therefore, collect revenues, which internationally has been compared to a taxation system, but inside North Korea the word tax

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: 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: 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: 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: 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: 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: LGBT rights in North Korea

text: LGBT rights in North Korea Lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) persons in North Korea face legal challenges not experienced by non-LGBT residents. Homosexuality and being openly transgender are not "de jure" illegal in North Korea, but the government does not support or allow other people in North Korea to support LGBT rights. Homosexuality and transgender issues are not formally addressed in the penal code. Criminal sanctions are sometimes levied against homosexuality or non-conforming gender expression deemed to be, "against the socialist lifestyle." While punishment was rare, it has been reported by "The Korea Times" that North Korea has executed

title: Freedom of religion in North Korea

text: verify. Traditionally, religion in North Korea primarily consists of Buddhism and Confucianism and to a lesser extent Korean shamanism and syncretic Chondogyo. Since the arrival of Europeans in the 18th century, there is also a Christian minority. According to the United States Central Intelligence Agency, the government sponsors religious groups only to create an illusion of religious freedom. North Korea sees organised religious activity, except that which is supervised by officially recognized groups linked to the Government, as a potential pretext to challenging the leadership and social order. Religion many times is practiced in secret. Genuine religious freedom does not

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: 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: 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: 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: Media of North Korea

text: Jong-un, who replaced his father as leader, has given every indication he will largely follow in his father's footsteps. However, new technologies are being made more freely available in the country. State-run media outlets are setting up websites, while mobile phone ownership in the country has escalated rapidly. “There is no country which monopolizes and controls successfully the internet and information as North Korea does,” said Kang Shin-sam, an expert on North Korean technology and co-head of the International Solidarity for Freedom of Information in North Korea, a nonprofit based in South Korea. North Korea now has about four million

title: 2017–18 North Korea crisis

text: Crisis. On August 14, Ukraine's Chairman of the National Security and Defense Council, Oleksandr Turchynov denied that it had ever supplied defense technology to North Korea, responding to an article in the "New York Times" that said North Korea might have purchased rocket engines from Ukrainian factory Yuzhmash, who have also denied the report. On August 15, the North Korean leader said he was delaying a decision on firing missiles towards the US Pacific territory of Guam while he waits to see what Trump does next. From August 21–31, the U.S. and South Korea conducted the 2017 Ulchi-Freedom Guardian exercise

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: 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: 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: 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: Taxation in North Korea

text: by state enterprises, and various user fees on machinery and equipment, irrigation facilities, television sets, water, and so on. This is in line with similar practices in other socialist countries. Another form of tax in North Korea is periodic requirements for citizens to donate materials or work free of charge on government projects. Special taxation laws also affect the special economic zones in North Korea (in particular the Kaesong Industrial Complex) where foreign companies are allowed to operate. There is therefore corporate tax in North Korea, as outlined by the Processing Trade Law, Lock Gate Law and Copyright Law, and

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: Catholic Church in North Korea

text: book in 1991. Catholic Church in North Korea The Catholic Church in North Korea is not officially part of the worldwide Catholic Church or under the spiritual leadership of the Pope in Rome. It allegedly does not belong to the Roman Rite of the Catholic Church. The church is administered by the Korean Catholic Association (KCA), created by the Communist government in June 1988 as a means of control over Catholic life. The remaining Catholic churches are inactive. According to reports from within North Korea, courtesy of the KCA, there are approximately 3000 Catholics in the country. However, experts from

title: Catholic Church in North Korea

text: Catholic Church in North Korea The Catholic Church in North Korea is not officially part of the worldwide Catholic Church or under the spiritual leadership of the Pope in Rome. It allegedly does not belong to the Roman Rite of the Catholic Church. The church is administered by the Korean Catholic Association (KCA), created by the Communist government in June 1988 as a means of control over Catholic life. The remaining Catholic churches are inactive. According to reports from within North Korea, courtesy of the KCA, there are approximately 3000 Catholics in the country. However, experts from other countries place

title: History of Japan–Korea relations

text: refused diplomatic and trade relations with Japan, using Japan as a domestic bugbear to rally support for the South Korean government. The early ROK (Republic of Korea; South Korea) government derived its legitimacy from its opposition to Japan and North Korea, portraying South Korea as under threat from the North and South. The diplomatic relationship between Japan and South Korea was established in 1965, when the Treaty on Basic Relations was signed; Japan subsequently recognized the Republic of Korea (the official name of South Korea) as the only legitimate government on the Korean Peninsula. As such, North Korea does not

title: Hwanghae Province (Republic of Korea)

text: Hwanghae Province (Republic of Korea) "Hwanghae Province" or "Hwanghae-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 Hwanghae Province in its pre-1945 borders. The area corresponds to North Korea's North Hwanghae Province (except Kaesong which is claimed to be part of Gyeonggi

title: History of North Korea

text: History of North Korea The history of North Korea began with the partition of Korea at the end of World War II in September 1945. The surrender of Japan led to the division of Korea into two occupation zones, with the United States administering the southern half of the peninsula and the Soviet Union administering the area north of the 38th parallel. The Soviets and Americans were unable to agree on the implementation of a joint government over Korea. This led, in 1948, to the establishment of two separate governments – the Communist-aligned Democratic People's Republic of Korea and the

title: History of North Korea

title: Politics of North Korea

text: to find a way to sustain its economy without compromising the internal stability of its government or its ability to respond to perceived external threats. Recently, North Korean efforts to improve relations with South Korea to increase trade and to receive development assistance have been mildly successful. North Korea has tried to improve its relations with South Korea by participating in the Pyeongchang Olympics (North Korea at the 2018 Winter Olympics), when Kim Jong-un sent his band and a few officials to visit South Korea. But North Korea's determination to develop nuclear weapons and ballistic missiles has prevented stable relations

title: Internet in North Korea

text: to be operating out of North Korea after legal challenges forced it out of Sweden. The move was later revealed to be a hoax. South Korean "No Cut News" has reported that the North Korean government trains computer hackers in Kim Chaek University of Technology and Kim Il-sung University to earn money overseas. A group of North Korean hackers based in Shenyang, China, developed and sold "auto-programs" (programs that allow player characters to earn experience and in-game currency while the player does none of the work) for an online game "Lineage" and a South Korea citizen was arrested in May

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: Taxation in North Korea

text: related legislation, including laws on tax evasion. An estimate of this corporate tax in early 2000s was for 10-14%. North Korean workers there are subject to the usual indirect taxation: their wages are paid in hard currencies by foreign companies to North Korean government, which then pays the workers in North Korean currency, minus the value of "insurance taxes and socio-cultural fees". A 2013 estimate for the tax on individual workers suggested that the state takes 45% of their wages in a form of a tax. Taxation in North Korea Officially, there are no taxes in North Korea. The date

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: 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: North Korea–United States relations

text: Korea, relations between the U.S. and North Korea were conducted through the Soviet military government in the North. Because of North Korea's "submission" to Soviet pressures, and because of mass opposition to the U.S. occupation of the mortal enemy Japan, North Koreans in this period denounced the United States and began to form a negative view of the U.S. However, several American ministers and missionaries remained active in this period. On September 9, 1948, Kim Il-sung declared the Democratic People's Republic of Korea; he promptly received diplomatic recognition from the Soviet Union, but not the United States. The U.S. did

title: Ethnic minorities in North Korea

text: Chinese people living in North Korea enjoyed privileged access to trips abroad, today many of them chose to seek a better life by permanently settling in China. Some 50,000-70,000 ethnic Koreans living in China migrated to North Korea in the wake of the famine following Mao Zedong's Great Leap Forward and repression of ethnic minorities during the Cultural Revolution. The influx forced the North Korean government to construct refugee camps to house the immigrants. Between 100,000 and 150,000 ethnic Koreans formerly living in Japan, and their descendants, form the community of repatriated Zainichi Koreans in North Korea. Their repatriation took

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: 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: 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: 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

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: History of North Korea

text: this party merged with the New People's Party to form the Workers' Party of North Korea. In December, a popular front led by the Workers' Party dominated elections in the North. In 1949, the Workers' Party of North Korea merged with its southern counterpart to become the Workers' Party of Korea with Kim as party chairman. Kim established the Korean People's Army (KPA) aligned with the Communists, formed from a cadre of guerrillas and former soldiers who had gained combat experience in battles against the Japanese and later Nationalist Chinese troops. From their ranks, using Soviet advisers and equipment, Kim

title: Time in North Korea

text: step in unifying Korea and eliminating differences between the South and North. The time change was applied at 23:30 on 4 May 2018 (). The IANA time zone database contains one zone for North Korea in the file zone.tab, named Asia/Pyongyang. Time in North Korea Time in North Korea, called Pyongyang Time (Chosŏn'gŭl: , Hancha: or PYT) or Standard Time of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (Chosŏn'gŭl: , Hancha: ), is since May 2018 equal to Korea Standard Time: 9 hours ahead of UTC (UTC+9). Like South Korea, North Korea does not currently observe daylight saving time. Time keeping

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

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: South Hamgyeong Province (Republic of Korea)

text: South Hamgyeong Province (Republic of Korea) "South Hamgyeong Province" or "Hamgyeongnam-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 and China. As South Korea does not recognize changes in administrative divisions made by North Korea, official maps of the South Korean government shows South Hamgyeong Province in its pre-1945 borders. The area corresponds to North Korea's South Hamgyong Province, as well as parts of

title: South Pyeongan Province (Republic of Korea)

text: South Pyeongan Province (Republic of Korea) "South Pyeongan Province" or "Pyeongannam-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 South Pyeongan Province in its pre-1945 borders. The area corresponds to North Korea's South Pyongan Province, Pyongyang Directly Governed City and Nampo Special

title: North Korea–United States relations

text: at Kumho, on North Korea's east coast. Donald Rumsfeld, the US secretary of defense, was on the board of ABB when it won this deal, but a Pentagon spokeswoman, Victoria Clarke, said that Rumsfeld does not recall it being brought before the board at any time. Construction of these reactors was eventually suspended. In 2002 the US Government announced that it would release $95m to North Korea as part of the Agreed Framework. In releasing the funding, President George W Bush waived the Framework's requirement that North Korea allow inspectors to ensure it has not hidden away any weapons-grade plutonium

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: Demographics of North Korea

text: was divided into two occupied zones: North occupied by the Soviet Union and the South by the United States. Negotiations on unification failed, and in 1948 two separate countries were formed: North and South Korea. Korean is the official language of North Korea. "The World Factbook" states "traditionally Buddhist and Confucianist, some Christian and syncretic Chondogyo" in regards to religion, but also states "autonomous religious activities now almost nonexistent; government-sponsored religious groups exist to provide illusion of religious freedom". , 8.86% of the population older than 5 years old have attained academic degrees. In 2000, North Korea spent 38.2% of

title: Time in North Korea

text: Time in North Korea Time in North Korea, called Pyongyang Time (Chosŏn'gŭl: , Hancha: or PYT) or Standard Time of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (Chosŏn'gŭl: , Hancha: ), is since May 2018 equal to Korea Standard Time: 9 hours ahead of UTC (UTC+9). Like South Korea, North Korea does not currently observe daylight saving time. Time keeping in North Korea is under the State Commission for Science and Technology. Before modern clocks were introduced into Korea, Koreans kept time with the help of a sundial during the daylight time and a water clock at night. In 1434, Jang

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

title: Environment of North Korea

text: In 2018, North Korea made an agreement with the South on forestry co-operation. The North Korean government has ratified the Kyoto Protocol on global warming and has been co-operating with international efforts to combat climate change. It has invested in the development of solar and other renewable energy technology. In 2017, the Foreign Ministry condemned the US government for withdrawing from the Paris Agreement. North Korea has participated in international environmental projects, such as the conservation of the red-crowned crane. In 2017, Pyongyang hosted a workshop on the conservation of wetlands and migratory waterbirds, attended by the International Union for

title: History of North Korea

text: People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) was proclaimed on September 9, with Kim as Premier. On December 12, 1948, the United Nations General Assembly accepted the report of UNTCOK and declared the Republic of Korea to be the "only lawful government in Korea". By 1949, North Korea was a full-fledged Communist state. All parties and mass organizations joined the Democratic Front for the Reunification of the Fatherland, ostensibly a popular front but in reality dominated by the Communists. The government moved rapidly to establish a political system that was partly styled on the Soviet system, with political power monopolised by the

title: Geography of North Korea

text: government has promoted a tree planting program. Based on satellite imagery, it has been estimated that 40 percent of forest cover has been lost since 1985. North Korea has an area of 120,538 km², of which 120,408 km² is land and 130 km² is water. It has of land boundaries; of these, are with China, are with South Korea, and are with Russia. The Korean Peninsula extends about southward from the northeast Asian continental landmass. The coastline of Korea is highly irregular, and North Korea accounts for of this, roughly one-third. Some 3579 islands lie adjacent to the Korean Peninsula,

title: Media of North Korea

text: all media outlets in North Korea. by the state. Article 67 of the North Korean Constitution protects freedom of speech and freedom of the press. In practice, however, the press is tightly controlled, and the government only allows speech that supports it and the ruling Workers' Party of Korea. , North Korea occupies the last place on Reporters Without Borders' annual Press Freedom Index. The late Kim Jong-il's book, "The Great Teacher of Journalists", advises that "newspapers carry articles in which they unfailingly hold the president in high esteem, adore him and praise him as the great revolutionary leader". Media

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: Economy of North Korea

text: over 2000 to 2013 average growth was 1.4% per year. It estimated that the real GDP of North Korea in 2015 was 30,805 billion South Korean won. The same year, it published the following estimates of North Korea's GDP growth: According to analyst Andrei Lankov, writing in 2017, a significant number of observers believe that the Bank of Korea is too conservative and the real growth rate is North Korea reported that the government budget has been increasing at between 5% and 10% annually from 2007 to 2015. Reported planned capital expenditure, mainly on roads and public buildings, increased by

title: Economy of North Korea

text: of 5.37 MMT. In 2014 North Korea had an exceptionally good harvest, 5.08 million tonnes of cereal equivalent, almost sufficient to feed the entire population. While food production had recovered significantly since the hardest years of 1996 and 1997, the recovery was fragile, subject to adverse weather and year to year economic shortages. Distribution was uneven with the Public Distribution System largely ineffective. Any shortfall between production and need could be easily met by government funded imports, should the decision to make those purchases be made. According to a 2012 report by South Korea-based North Korea Resource Institute (NKRI), North

title: History of North Korea

text: on agricultural income was abolished in 1966. North Korea was placed on a semi-war footing, with equal emphasis being given to the civilian and military economies. This was expressed in the 1962 Party Plenum by the slogan, "Arms in one hand and a hammer and sickle in the other!" At a special party conference in 1966, members of the leadership who opposed the military build-up were removed. On the ruins left by the war, North Korea had built an industrialized command economy. Che Guevara, then a Cuban government minister, visited North Korea in 1960, and proclaimed it a model for

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: Foreign relations of North Korea

text: 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 1980s, Ghana's Provisional National Defence Council successfully sought aid from North Korea and other socialist countries in order to be more independent from Western powers. An agreement on cultural

title: Foreign relations of North Korea

text: year of the declaration of Burmese independence. Initially however, Myanmar under U Nu favored Syngman Rhee's government in the South of Korea. During and after the Korean War, Myanmar balanced the interest of North and South Korea, taking into consideration the position of China. After the 1975 establishment of diplomatic relations, Myanmar began to shift toward North Korea, which was also nominally socialist and equally wary of both US and Chinese imperialism. The Rangoon bombing on 9 October 1983 was a turning point in Myanmar–North Korea relations. Once it found out that North Koreans were behind the attack, Myanmar cut

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: History of North Korea

text: and was quickly succeeded by his son, Kim Jong-un. In late 2013, Kim Jong Un's uncle Jang Song-thaek was arrested and executed after a trial. According to the South Korean spy agency, Kim may have purged some 300 people after taking power. In 2014, the United Nations Commission of Inquiry accused the government of crimes against humanity. In 2015, North Korea adopted Pyongyang Standard Time (UTC+08.30), reversing the change to Japan Standard Time (UTC+9.00) which had been imposed by the Japanese Empire when it annexed Korea. As a result, North Korea was in a different time zone than South Korea.

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: Human trafficking in North Korea

text: Reports indicate that more restrictions have been imposed on leaving North Korea, and there are reports of more severe punishments being imposed on those who seek to leave the country and those who are forcibly returned. Reports by North Korean defectors include instances of the government punishing traffickers; however, NGO reports indicate that the “traffickers” may include activists or professional border crossers who assist North Koreans voluntarily leaving for China. There were no known trafficking prosecutions or convictions during the reporting period. The North Korean government does not make any known attempts to identify individuals as victims of trafficking or

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: History of North Korea

text: the North Koreans fleeing to China because of famine still showed significant support for the government as well as pride in their homeland. Many of these people reportedly returned to North Korea after earning sufficient money. In 1998, the government announced a new policy called "Songun", or "Military First". Some analysts suggested that this meant the Korean People's Army was now more powerful than the Workers' Party. President Kim Dae-jung of South Korea actively attempted to reduce tensions between the two Koreas under the Sunshine Policy. After the election of George W. Bush as the President of the United States

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: North Korea and weapons of mass destruction

text: North Korea and weapons of mass destruction North Korea has a military nuclear weapons program and also has a significant quantity of chemical and biological weapons. As of 2003, North Korea is no longer a party to the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT). The country has come under sanctions after conducting a number of nuclear tests, beginning in 2006. The nuclear program can be traced back to about 1962, when North Korea committed itself to what it called "all-fortressization", which was the beginning of the hyper-militarized North Korea of today. In 1963, North Korea asked the Soviet

title: History of North Korea

text: son, Kim Jong-il, who had already assumed key positions in the government, succeeded as General Secretary of the Korean Workers' Party. At that time, North Korea had no secretary-general in the party nor a president. What minimal legal procedure had been established was summarily ignored. Although a new constitution appeared to end the wartime political system, it did not completely terminate the transitional military rule. Rather it legitimized and institutionalized military rule by making the National Defense Commission (NDC) the most important state organization and its chairman the highest authority. After three years of consolidating his power, Kim Jong-il became

title: Israel–North Korea relations

text: of the Supreme Leadership" Israel–North Korea relations Israeli-North Korean relations are very hostile. North Korea does not recognise Israel, denouncing it as an "imperialist satellite". Since 1988 it recognises the sovereignty of the Palestinians over all of Israel, except for the Golan Heights, which it recognises as part of Syria. Israel considers North Korea and its nuclear missile program as a major threat to global security. It has called for international action on the issue. At times, Israel has been the subject of fiery threats from North Korean state media. North Korea sent 20 pilots and 19 non-combat personnel to

title: Israel–North Korea relations

text: Israel–North Korea relations Israeli-North Korean relations are very hostile. North Korea does not recognise Israel, denouncing it as an "imperialist satellite". Since 1988 it recognises the sovereignty of the Palestinians over all of Israel, except for the Golan Heights, which it recognises as part of Syria. Israel considers North Korea and its nuclear missile program as a major threat to global security. It has called for international action on the issue. At times, Israel has been the subject of fiery threats from North Korean state media. North Korea sent 20 pilots and 19 non-combat personnel to Egypt during Yom Kippur

title: France–North Korea relations

text: office does not imply a formal diplomatic recognition of North Korea by France; such recognition remains conditional upon "an improvement on the nuclear issue, inter-Korean relations, and the humanitarian and human rights situation". Economic relations are also limited. In 2005, French imports from North Korea were worth €24 million, and French exports to North Korea €6 million. In 2005, there were officially 54 North Koreans living in France. The only French residents in North Korea are humanitarian workers. France provides humanitarian aid to the DPRK, and allows a small number of North Korean students to study in France every year.

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: History of North Korea

text: Workers' Party of Korea (WPK). The consolidation of Syngman Rhee's government in the South with American military support and the suppression of the October 1948 insurrection ended North Korean hopes that a revolution in the South could reunify Korea, and from early 1949 Kim Il-sung sought Soviet and Chinese support for a military campaign to reunify the country by force. The withdrawal of most U.S. forces from South Korea in June 1949 left the southern government defended only by a weak and inexperienced South Korean army. The southern régime also had to deal with a citizenry of uncertain loyalty. 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: 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