DPRK Profile

Political System

Official Title:
Democratic People's Republic of Korea

Head of State: Kim Jong Il, Supreme Commander of the KPA, Chairman of the National Defense Commission, General Secretary of the Korean Workers' Party

Head of Government: Kim Yong Il, Prime Minister

Ruling Party: Workers' Party of Korea

Currency: Won = 100 chon (approx 170Won = US$1)

Area: 120,540 sq km (80% mountainous)

Population: 24 million (2008 census)

Labour force: 7 million

 

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Korea's history spans over 5000 years. Due to its strategic geographical location, neighbouring China, Japan and Russia, the peninsula has often been the field of battle of foreign powers and as now inextricably enmeshed in the global political climate.

 

What is the story behind the DPRK?

Japan occupied Korea from 1910 until the end of the Second World War whereupon the Russians took the surrender in the north and the Americans to the south on the 38th parallel. This was meant to be a temporary border however due to mistrust between Russian and America and the outbreak of the Cold War the line became permanent. Tension between the two halves led to the outbreak of the Korean War, 1950-1953 (Fatherland Liberation War) which has left the country divided until the present day.

The North is a country run on communist principles but dominated by the country's 'Juche Idea', a philosophy aimed at developing self-reliance. With the change in political direction of it's old comrades Russia and China, North Korea has become increasingly isolated and is seen as one of the most difficult countries to get a tourist visa for. It was widely believed in the outside world that strains caused by the food and economic crisis would inevitably lead to the opening of the country through reform or even implosion or war. However it is apparent that the DPRK is still maintaining it's steadfast attitude and optimists are seeing this decade as a change through dialogue with the South and the outside world.

Brief chronology of Korean history

918-1392 Koryo - first dynasty to unify the Korean peninsula
1392-1910 Yi (Chosun) Dynasty
1910-1945 Occupation by Japan
1945 World War II ends - Korea divided on the 38th parallel
1945 Founding of Workers' Party of Korea
1948 Democratic People's Republic of Korea established in the North, Republic of Korea in the South
1948 Kim Il Sung becomes president of DPRK and Syngman Rhee of ROK
1950-53 Korean War
1994 Death of President Kim Il Sung

Annual holidays and events

The Juche Era was set up 1912 when the 'sun' of Juche, Kim Il Sung,was born. It was enacted on the occasion of the third anniversary of his death. Juche 1 corresponds to 1912, therefore 2008 is also known as Juche 97.

 

National Holidays

January 1st - New Year's Day
February 16th - Comrade Kim Jong Il's birthday (1942)
April 15th - President Kim Il Sung's Birthday (1912)
May 1st - May Day, International holiday of Workers
July 8th 1994 (Juche 83)Memorial day of the death of Kim Il Sung
July 27th 1953 Victory in the Fatherland Liberation War (Korean War 1950-1953)
August 15th - National Liberation Day (1945)
September 9th - Day of the Foundation of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (1948)
October 10th - Day of the Foundation of the Workers Party of Korea (1945)
December 27th - Day of the Promulgation of the Socialist Constitution of the DPRK (1972)

Major Commemoration Days

February 20th - Machine Workers' Day
March 5th - Farmers' Day
March 8th - International Women's Day
March 22nd - Fishermen's Day
April 5th - Public Health Day
April 6th - Reforestation Day
April 8th - Communications Day
April 25th - Korean People's Army Day
May 11th - Railway Day
May 15th - Geological Survey Day
May 21st - Builders' Day
June 1st - International Children's Day
June 6th - Day of the Foundation of Korean Children's Union
June 7th - Local Industry Day
July 1st - Miners' Day
July 7th - Coal-Miners' Day
August 10th - Forestry Workers' Day
August 20th - Air Force Day
August 28th - Navy Day and Youth Day
September 5th - City Administration Day
September 15th - Commerce Day
October 9th - Metal Workers' Day
October 14th - Broadcasting Workers' Day
October 15th - Textile Industry Day
November 1st - Press Day
November 16th - Land and Marine Transport Day
December 6th - Chemical Industry Day