The Democratic People's Republic of Korea is located in Asia. The main language is Korean. After Japanese occupation had ended 1946, Korea became independent. The country ultimately split into North and South Korea in 1948. The country is a dictatorial republic ruled by the Workers' Party of Korea.
Formal Name: Democratic People's Republic of Korea
Local Formal Name: Choson-minjujuui-inmin-konghwaguk
Local Name: Choson
Capital: P'yongyang
Currency: North Korean Won (KPW)
National Holidays: September 9 - Founding of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea Day
April 15 - Sun's Day (Birthday of Kim Il Sung)
Population: 22,224,195 (2002)
Ethnic groups: Korean 99.8%, Chinese and Japanese 0.2% (1999)
Total Armed Forces: 1,082,000 (2000)
Declared Nuclear Power (2003): est. 1-10 weapons
Merchant marine: 122 ships (2002)
Religions: traditionally Buddhist and Confucianist, some Christian and syncretic Chondogyo (Religion of the Heavenly Way) note: autonomous religious activities now almost nonexistent; government-sponsored religious groups exist.
