| Indicator | Value |
|---|---|
| ISO 3166 alpha-2 | KPISO 3166 [2024] |
| ISO 3166 alpha-3 | PRKISO 3166 [2024] |
| Capital | PyongyangGeoNames [2024] |
| Continent | AsiaGeoNames [2024] |
| Common name | North KoreaCIA World Factbook [2025] · 2026 archive |
| Official name | Democratic People's Republic of KoreaCIA World Factbook [2025] · 2026 archive |
| Local name | ChosonCIA World Factbook [2025] · 2026 archive |
| Etymology | derived from the Chinese name for Goryeo, which was the Korean dynasty that united the peninsula in the 10th century A.D.; the North Korean name "Choson" means "[Land of the] Morning Calm"CIA World Factbook [2025] · 2026 archive |
| Government type | dictatorship, single-party communist stateCIA World Factbook [2025] · 2026 archive |
| Independence | 15 August 1945 (from Japan)CIA World Factbook [2025] · 2026 archive |
| National holiday | Founding of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK), 9 September (1948)CIA World Factbook [2025] · 2026 archive |
| Head of state | No authoritative open source found |
| Currency code (ISO 4217) | No authoritative open source found |
| Currency | No authoritative open source found |
| Administrative subdivisions | 13ISO 3166-2 Subdivisions [2026] |
| Subdivision names | Hamkyeongnamto / Hamkyeongpukto / Hwanghainamto / Hwanghaipukto / Jakangto / Kaeseong / Kangweonto / Nampho / Phyeongannamto / Phyeonganpukto / Phyeongyang / Raseon / RyangkangtoISO 3166-2 Subdivisions [2026] |
| Historical overview | No authoritative open source found |
| National symbols | red star, chollima (winged horse)CIA World Factbook [2025] · 2026 archive |
| National anthem | title: "Aegukka" (Patriotic Song); lyrics/music: PAK Se Yong/KIM Won Gyun; history: adopted 1947; North Korea's and South Korea's anthems have the same name and a similar melody, but different lyrics; the North Korean anthem is also known as "Ach'imun pinnara" (Let Morning Shine)CIA World Factbook [2025] · 2026 archive |
| National colors | red, white, blueCIA World Factbook [2025] · 2026 archive |
| Citizenship rules | citizenship by birth: no; citizenship by descent only: at least one parent must be a citizen of North Korea; dual citizenship recognized: no; residency requirement for naturalization: unknownCIA World Factbook [2025] · 2026 archive |
derived from the Chinese name for Goryeo, which was the Korean dynasty that united the peninsula in the 10th century A.D.; the North Korean name "Choson" means "[Land of the] Morning Calm"
description: three horizontal bands of blue (top), red (triple-width), and blue; the red band is edged in white; on the left side of the red band is a white disk with a red five-pointed star meaning: the red band stands for revolutionary traditions, the white for purity, strength, and dignity; blue for sovereignty, peace, and friendship; the red star represents socialism
Source: CIA World Factbook (Historical Archive — final edition) · CC0 · Edition 2026-05
