24 Interesting Facts About North Korea (DPRK)

• Location and Borders: North Korea is located in East Asia, on the northern part of the Korean Peninsula. It is bordered by China to the northwest, Russia to the northeast, and South Korea to the south. To the east, it has a coastline along the Sea of Japan (East Sea), and to the west, it has a coastline along the Yellow Sea.
• Square: The country covers an area of approximately 120,540 square kilometers.
• National Currency: The currency of North Korea is the North Korean Won (KPW).

Interesting Facts About North Korea:

1. North Korea is the only country in Asia and one of the few countries in the world where the cultivation and use of cannabis are legal.
2. The Ryugyong Hotel towers over Pyongyang and is the 24th tallest building in the world. However, it has never been put into operation, and its 3,000 rooms remain empty.
3. To foster independence and creativity, heuristic methods are actively used in North Korean schools, meaning students are taught unconscious (intuitive) problem-solving techniques.
4. The role of women in North Korean society is fundamentally different from traditional Korean views. Women are an integral part of the country’s workforce and armed forces.
5. It is almost impossible for South Korean citizens to obtain a visa to North Korea. They can only get permission to enter special tourist zones.
6. As for food, Korean cuisine is a blend of Chinese (noodles, dumplings) and Japanese (maki, tempura) influences. Most snacks are varied, and at the regional level, almost every dish is seasoned with pepper and garlic.
7. Koreans born after the Korean War are about 2 cm shorter than the average Koreans.
8. North Korea, located in the northern part of the Korean Peninsula, is characterized by its mountainous terrain. It is the most mountainous region on the peninsula.
9. North Korea has one of the highest literacy rates in the world, with an average literacy rate of 99 percent.
10. Currently, there are about sixteen large labor camps in North Korea, comparable to the Gulag. It is estimated that about two hundred thousand prisoners are held behind the barbed wire of these labor camps.
11. Another interesting fact about North Korea (DPRK) is that the Day of the Sun is a national holiday in North Korea. It is celebrated on April 15 to commemorate the birth of Kim Il Sung, known in North Korea as the “National Sun.”
12. On the border between North and South Korea is a 4-kilometer-wide demilitarized zone. One part of the zone contains a conference room where all official negotiations between delegations take place.
13. North Korea is home to many species of flora and fauna that also inhabit South Korea. These include the Korean sambar and Korean spruce. The endangered Amur leopard also lives in the demilitarized zone.
14. In North Korea, the roads and infrastructure outside of the cities are in very poor condition. The importance of roads for the country’s economic development cannot be overstated.
15. Every North Korean home and business is equipped with government-controlled radios that cannot be turned off.
16. The country operates under a totalitarian regime, with Kim Jong Un as the supreme leader. The government exercises strict control over all aspects of life, including the media, economy, and political activities.
17. The official ideology of North Korea is Juche, which emphasizes self-reliance and independence from foreign influence. It was developed by Kim Il Sung and continues to influence the nation’s policies and culture.
18. Tourism in North Korea is highly restricted, with visitors only allowed to see selected parts of the country under strict supervision. Photography is also heavily controlled.
19. Pyongyang, the capital city, features numerous grand monuments and statues dedicated to the country’s leaders, particularly Kim Il Sung and Kim Jong Il.
20. North Korea has its own calendar system, called the Juche calendar, which starts from the year 1912, the birth year of Kim Il Sung.
21. Electricity shortages are common in North Korea, with many areas experiencing frequent blackouts and limited access to power.
22. The North Korean military is one of the largest in the world, with compulsory conscription for both men and women.
23. The country has a state-run healthcare system, but it faces significant challenges, including shortages of medical supplies and outdated equipment.
24. Despite being largely isolated from the rest of the world, North Korea participates in international sports competitions, including the Olympics.