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Government of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea

 

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

           
                

 
 

What do the national emblem and national flag of the DPR Korea symbolize?

National flags of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea was adopted in 1948 and are fluttering in the wind across the country.
National flag of the DPRK consists of a central red panel bordered both above and below by a narrow white stripe and a broad blue stripe. The central red panel bears, in the hoist, a five-pointed red star within a white circle.  The ratio of breadth and length is 1:2.
The red panel across the middle symbolizes the noble, patriotic spirit of the anti-Japanese revolutionary forerunners who fought bloody battles for the liberation of the country and the freedom and emancipation of the people and the invincible unity of the Korean people who are rallied firmly around the Party and the Leader.
The five-pointed red star is symbolic of the bright future of the Korean people who are advancing for national reunification and independence and for the victory of the socialist cause under the banner of the Juche idea.
The white circle and the two white stripes show that the Korean people are a homogeneous nation with a long history of 5,000 years and brilliant national culture and that they are upright and stouthearted.
The two broad blue stripes express the aspiration of the Korean people who are striving for global independence in firm unity with the world progressives and the sovereignty of the DPRK.
National flags are hoisted on national or international holidays and during major national events.

The national emblem of the DPRK bears the design of a grand hydro-electric power station under the beginning light of a five-pointed red star and Mt. Paektu, with ears of rice forming an oval frame, bound with a red ribbon bearing the inscription "The Democratic People's Republic of Korea". The five-pointed star and its beaming light emblematize the glorious revolutionary traditions of the anti-Japanese revolutionary struggle and show the spirit and bright prospects of the Korean people. The hydro-electric power station is symbolic of independent and modern industry which relies on heavy industry and the worker, while ears of rice show the developed rural economy and the peasant. The oval shape of the emblem represents the invincible strength of the Korean people who are knitted together in ideology and purpose on the basis of the Juche idea.
The red ribbon bearing the inscription "The Democratic People's Republic of Korea" stresses that the DPRK is the political power of the workers and peasants and a democratic country which allows broad popular masses to take part in the affairs of state.
The national flag and emblem are emblematic of the sovereignty of the DPRK and the dignity and honor of glorious Korea.

 

National Anthem

The national anthem of DPRK is "Achimun Pinnara," or "Let Morning Shine." is chosen to represent the nation in 1947. The anthem has lyrics by Pak Se-yong(1902-1989) and music by Kim Won-Gyun(b.1917-).

 

           Achimun Pinnara(Let Morning Shine)
       Let morning shine on the silver and gold of this land,
        Three thousand leagues packed with natual wealth
                     My beautiful fatherland.
                    The glory of a wise people
                  Brought up in a culture brilliant
                 With a history five millennia long
                Let us devote our bodies and minds
                 To supporting this Korea for ever.
                 The firm will, bonded with truth,
                     Nest for the spirit of labor,
        Embracing the atmosphere of Mount Paektu(Baekdusan),
                    Will go forth to all the world.
           The country established by the will of the people,
           Breasting the raging waves with soaring strength.
                 Let us glorify for ever this Korea,
                    Limitlessly rich and strong.

 

  • location

    The Farthest Limits of Korean Territory

    Extreme points

    Places

    Coordinates

    Northernmost

    Yeopojin, Hamgyeongbuk-do

    43 00'39"N

    Southernmost

    Marado (Island), Jeju-do

    33 06'43"N

    Easternmost

    Dokdo (Island), Gyeongsangbuk-do

    131 52'42"E

    Westernmost

    Maando (Island), Pyeonganbuk-do

    124 11'00"E

  • Area: 216,234.576 Square kilometers (total peninsula 222,209.231 square kilometers)
  • language: Korean
  • Population: 23,631,200 (UN, 2007)
  • Capital: Pyongyang
  • Major religions: traditional beliefs
  • Life expectancy: 69(men), 69(women)
  • Monetary unit: 1 won = 100 chon (approx 150Won=US$1)
  • International Dialing Code: +850
  • Internet Domain: kp
  • Electricity : 220 volt

 

What is the state machinery?

In DPR Korea the organs of state are the supreme power organ and its administrative and executive organs; the local power organs and their administrative and executive organs; and the judicial and prosecution bodies.
In the case of state organs, the supreme power organ and its administrative and executive organs are the national organization of the state.
The Supreme power organ comprises the Supreme People's Assembly, the President of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea and the Central People's Committee.

    State Structure of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea

 

With how many countries do we have diplomatic,economic and cultural relatitons at present?

The DPRK maintain full diplomatic relations over a 100 countries, including Australia, Britain, Canada, China, France, Germany, New Zealand and Russia. Most of the countries do not have an Embassy in Pyongyang but covers DPRK from Beijing (Finland and Portugal). Also the embassy of Sweden in the DPRK might act officially in the interest of some other western countries. Over 25 countries, including Western European nations currently maintain representatives in the DPRK. The only notable exception is the US and Japan, but even the US has greatly eased restrictions on US businesses entering the DPRK market.

 

What international organizations are we involved in?

DPR Korea is now involved in more than 190 international organizations and is making a significant contribution to universal peace and the progress of mankind. Getting off the blacklist of terrorism-sponsoring is one of Pyongyang's most coveted benefits, since it would lift wide-ranging prohibitions that effectively restrict economic assistance and diplomatic interchanges. The DPRK is a member of the United Nations and belongs to International organization such as followings: 

Membership of International Organizations by DPRK(North Korea) and ROK(South Korea)

2008.6 present

1.  Comparison between South Korea and North Korea

 

Affiliation  under United nations

Professional Organization

Independent organization

Organization gov’t to gov’t

Total

South Korea

6

19

2

77

104

North Korea

4

12

0

18

34

2. Affiliation under UN by North Korea and South Korea

3. Membership status by South and North Korea(DPRK)

A. United Nations


B. Professional Organizations under the United Nations



 

National and Public Holidays

New Year's holiday

January 1

Seol holiday(by Lunar calendar)

Last day of 12th Moon through the second day of the First Moon 1989 enacted as National holiday

Birthday of Comrade, Kim Jong-Il

February 16(1942)

International Women’s day March 8(1961), Chicago,USA,1909,3.8)

Sun Day, Birthday of Kim Ilsung

April 15(1912),  1st year of Juche

Founding Day of Korea People’s Army April 25, 1932 in 1978 enacted as holiday
Instead of February 8, 1948, KPA day

May Day(International Worker’s Day)

May1(1886, Chicago, USA, Labor Strike)

Dano June 7  by Lunar month

Victory Day of Fatherland Liberation War’

July 27(1953), 55th Anniversary
(1996.7.26 enacted as holiday)

National Liberation day

August 15(1945)

National Foundation day of DPRK

60th Anniversary, September 9( 1948)

Chusok(Moon festival) holiday

September 14,2008 by Lunar Calendar
1988 enacted as National holiday

National foundation day

October 3(Dangun 4341, 2333 B.C.)

Labor Party founding day  October10

Day of the Promulgation of the Socialist Constitution of the DPRK (1972)

December 27(1973.12.24)