North Korea (Democratic People's Republic of Korea)

Democratic People's Republic of Korea (KDHC), East Asia is a socialist state based on central planning located in the northern part of the Korean Peninsula. It is bordered by People's Republic of China to the north, Russian Federation to the northeast, and the Republic of Korea (South Korea) to the south. Its eastern coast borders the Sea of Japan (East Sea), while its western coast borders the Yellow Sea. The capital and largest city is Pyongyang.

North Korea was established in 1948 as a socialist state supported by the Soviet Union following the division of the Korean Peninsula. Since its founding, the country has been governed by three generations of the same family: Kim Il-sung, Kim Jong-il and Kim Jong-un. The state ideology is built upon the principles of Juche (self-reliance) and Songun (military-first policy). This ideological framework prioritizes political independence, economic self-sufficiency and complete sovereignty in military defense.

The government is a single-party system in which the Workers’ Party of Korea holds a decisive position in all state and societal institutions. The current constitution defines Kim Il-sung as “Eternal State President” and Kim Jong-il as “Eternal Chairman of the National Defence Commission.” Today, Kim Jong-un is the supreme authority of the country as General Secretary of the Workers’ Party of Korea, Chairman of the State Affairs Commission and Commander-in-Chief of the Korean People's Army.

As of 2025, North Korea’s population is approximately 26 million. The vast majority of the population is of ethnic Korean origin and the country is nearly entirely homogeneous. The official language is Korean and the de facto official religion is atheism; religious institutions are under state control. Education and healthcare services are free and public life is subject to strict ideological control.

National Anthem

The national anthem of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea is titled “Aegukka” (애국가 – Patriotic Song). Composed in 1947 by Kim Won-gyun with lyrics by poet Pak Se-yong, it was officially adopted as the national anthem on 9 September 1948 upon the founding of the state.

The anthem glorifies the Korean people’s struggle for independence, their natural wealth and their loyalty to the state. It makes no direct reference to the Kim family and thus remains focused on national unity rather than party propaganda. Its melodic structure, influenced by Soviet models after 1945, became a central element of state ceremonies following its orchestral arrangement in the 1950s.

History

Early Communities and Ancient Period

The northern region of the Korean Peninsula has been home to small communities practicing agriculture and hunting since prehistoric times. The Gojoseon Kingdom, traditionally said to have been founded in 2333 BCE, is the earliest known political entity in Korean history. From 108 BCE, the region came under the influence of China’s Han Dynasty and over the centuries became an area where Chinese cultural influence merged with local identity.

From the 1st century CE, the Goguryeo Kingdom (37 BCE–668 CE) established a powerful state on the territory of modern-day North Korea, competing with China and other Korean kingdoms. Goguryeo made present-day Pyongyang its capital and laid the cultural foundations of the region through its military structure.

Medieval Period and Joseon Dynasty

In the 7th century, the Korean Peninsula was unified under the Silla Kingdom, although northern territories remained under the influence of China’s Tang Dynasty. During the Goryeo Dynasty (founded in 918, the origin of the name “Korea”), Pyongyang regained importance as a major city, with Buddhism and Confucianism coexisting. The Joseon Dynasty, established in 1392, was the longest-lasting regime in Korean history and ruled until the late 19th century. During this period, the Pyongyang region served more as a frontier fortress than a cultural center.

Modern Era and Japanese Occupation (1910–1945)

After the First Sino-Japanese War in 1895, Chinese influence over Korea diminished. In 1910, the Japanese Empire fully annexed Korea. Japanese colonial rule imposed harsh assimilation policies under the guise of industrialization, with intense pressure on language, religion and culture concentrated in northern regions. During this period, Pyongyang and Hamhung became industrial centers and the foundations of heavy industry infrastructure were laid.

Founding of North Korea and the Korean War (1945–1953)

At the end of World War II, following the surrender of Japan, Korea was divided into two occupation zones along the 38th parallel: the north under the Soviet Union and the south under the United States. This temporary division quickly solidified into a permanent political split. In 1948, the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK) was proclaimed in Pyongyang and the Republic of Korea (South Korea) in Seoul. Kim Il-sung became Prime Minister of North Korea with Soviet backing, while Syngman Rhee led the U.S.-backed government in the South.

The Korean War erupted in 1950 with a North Korean attempt to invade the South. On the morning of 25 June 1950, the Korean People’s Army under Kim Il-sung crossed the South Korean border and launched a large-scale offensive. Supported by Soviet arms, this attack led to the fall of Seoul within days. North Korean forces quickly gained control over most of the South. In response, the United Nations Security Council formed an international military coalition led by the United States to defend South Korea. Thus, the war expanded beyond the Korean border and became a theater of ideological confrontation between two superpowers.

The Inchon Landing in September 1950, led by U.S. General Douglas MacArthur, changed the course of the war. UN forces rapidly recaptured Seoul and advanced north of the 38th parallel to Pyongyang. This development triggered direct intervention by the People’s Republic of China. The Chinese leadership viewed the advance of American forces toward its border as a threat to national security and in November 1950, the “Chinese People’s Volunteers” entered the war. Massive Chinese counteroffensives forced UN forces to retreat; Pyongyang once again came under North Korean control.

By early 1951, the front line stabilized near the 38th parallel. The following two years of fighting turned into a war of attrition marked by intense artillery fire, aerial bombardments and trench warfare. Both sides suffered heavy losses; millions of civilians were displaced and large parts of the Korean Peninsula were destroyed.

During this period, Turkey responded to the United Nations’ call and joined the countries participating in the war. The Turkish government decided on 17 July 1950 to send a 4,500-strong Turkish Brigade under UN command. The Turkish unit arrived in Korea in October 1950 and demonstrated significant defensive success notably in the Battle of Kunuri and the Wawon Engagement. During the war, 721 Turkish soldiers lost their lives. Turkey’s military contribution in the Korean War became a crucial diplomatic factor in its process of joining NATO in 1952.

The Panmunjom Armistice Agreement signed on 27 July 1953 effectively ended the war. However, no permanent peace treaty was ever concluded between the two sides. In accordance with the armistice, a Demilitarized Zone (DMZ) was established along the 38th parallel and this line remains the border between the two Koreas to this day. The war, which claimed approximately three million lives, permanently divided the Korean Peninsula into two separate states. North Korea interprets the conflict as a “victory against American imperialism,” while South Korea and the Western world regard it as the repulsion of an unprovoked invasion.

The Korean War fundamentally altered global political balances, not only militarily but also politically. The Cold War’s frontline shifted to Asia. The foundations of a long-term strategic rivalry between the United States and China were laid. At the same time, it established the historical starting point for North Korea’s construction of its regime around a constant perception of security threat.

Juche Era and the Kim Dynasty (1953–1994)

From the 1950s onward, Kim Il-sung developed the “Juche” ideology based on self-reliance socialism. This ideology meant rejecting external dependence and centralizing the cult of the leader. In the 1972 Constitution, Kim Il-sung was declared “Eternal State President.”

During the 1980s, the economy survived with support from China and the Soviet Union. However, the collapse of the Soviet bloc in the 1990s pushed North Korea into economic isolation. Upon Kim Il-sung’s death in 1994, he was succeeded by his son Kim Jong-il.

Songun Policy and the Nuclear Era (1994–Present)

Kim Jong-il’s period (1994–2011) is defined by the “Songun” policy of military-first governance. During the famines of the late 1990s, triggered by this policy, hundreds of thousands of people died. Nevertheless, the regime continued to develop its nuclear program, deepening its international isolation.

Upon Kim Jong-il’s death in 2011, Kim Jong-un assumed power. From 2016 onward, nuclear weapons and intercontinental ballistic missile tests accelerated. Although diplomatic contacts occurred with the United States in 2018, no lasting agreement was reached. Today, the country sustains its existence through strict regime control, international sanctions and a nuclear deterrence policy.

Geography

Boundaries and Neighbors

North Korea has a total area of 120,540 square kilometers. It shares a 1,416-kilometer border with the People’s Republic of China to the north, a short 17-kilometer border with the Russian Federation to the northeast and a 238-kilometer border with South Korea along the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ) to the south. To the east lies the Sea of Japan (East Sea) and to the west the Yellow Sea.

Mountains

Approximately 80 percent of the country’s surface is mountainous and rugged. The highest point is Mount Paektu (2,744 meters), located on the Chinese border and regarded as sacred. This mountain is symbolically identified in national mythology with the revolutionary struggle and the origin of the Korean people. Other important mountain ranges include Hamgyong, Rangrim and Myohyang.

Plains and Valleys

Plains cover only about 20 percent of the country’s surface and are concentrated mostly along the western coast. The Pyongyang Plain, Chaeryong Valley and Hwangju Valley are key agricultural centers. Coastal plains are vital for rice production, while inland areas remain unsuitable for agriculture due to mountainous terrain.

Rivers and Lakes

The main rivers are the Yalu (Amnok), Tumen (Duman), Taedong and Chongchon. The Yalu and Tumen rivers form natural borders with China and Russia respectively. The country’s most important inland waterway is the Taedong River, which flows through Pyongyang and empties into the Yellow Sea. Additionally, Lake Chon, located in the crater of Mount Paektu, is the country’s highest natural lake.

Climate

North Korea lies in the humid continental climate zone. Winters are long, cold and dry; summers are short, hot and humid. Average temperatures in January range from –10°C in the north to –3°C in the south. In July, average temperatures reach 25°C. Precipitation is concentrated in the summer months, with annual averages between 1,000 and 1,500 millimeters. Monsoon rains frequently cause flooding and landslides. Severe cold and drought during winter months restrict agricultural production.

Economy

Key Economic Indicators (2023)

North Korea’s economy is a closed system entirely based on state planning. Market mechanisms operate only to a limited extent at the local level and private property is not legally recognized. The country has been under long-standing United Nations and U.S. sanctions, which have severely restricted foreign trade, finance and energy access.

Due to the inability of international organizations to obtain reliable data, economic indicators are based on estimates. As of 2023, Gross Domestic Product (GDP) is estimated at approximately $28–30 billion U.S. dollars and per capita income at around $1,200 U.S. dollars. Economic growth rate is below 1 percent.

The inflation rate is not officially published; calculations based on black market and food prices suggest it hovers around 15 percent. Although official unemployment is reported at 3–4 percent, hidden unemployment is estimated to exceed 25 percent. Foreign debt is approximately $8 billion U.S. dollars and foreign exchange reserves stand at around $500 million.

Sectoral Distribution

Agriculture, industry and services are conducted according to state-planned directives. The agricultural sector contributes 22 percent to GDP. Major products include rice, maize, potatoes, soybeans and barley. The cooperative farming system remains in place, but drought, flooding and fuel shortages have reduced productivity.

The industrial sector accounts for approximately 45 percent of GDP. Key areas include mining (coal, iron, zinc, gold), chemicals, steel, construction materials, arms and munitions production. The arms industry is central to the economy both as a source of employment and foreign currency.

The service sector contributes 33 percent to GDP. Tourism, trade and domestic transport are under state control. A small number of hotels in Pyongyang serve foreign diplomats and specific tourist groups.

Foreign Trade

North Korea’s foreign trade is extremely limited. As of 2023, exports are estimated at $2.1 billion U.S. dollars and imports at $3.9 billion U.S. dollars. Major exports include coal, iron ore, textiles, seafood and arms components. Major imports include petroleum, machinery parts, grain and pharmaceuticals.

China is the largest trading partner; approximately 90 percent of total trade is conducted through China. Russia has become a secondary trading partner in recent years, providing grain and fuel support. Due to sanctions, trade with the European Union, Japan and South Korea is virtually nonexistent.

Foreign Investment and Business Environment

North Korea is closed to foreign investors. The Rason Special Economic Zone, established in 1991, is the only area permitting limited commercial activity along the Chinese border. Chinese and Russian companies operate small-scale mining and port facilities there.

Although direct foreign investment is legally possible, it cannot be implemented in practice without state approval. The country is not a member of international financial institutions (IMF, World Bank, Asian Development Bank).

Energy and Transportation Infrastructure

Energy production is heavily reliant on coal. Sixty percent of electricity is generated by thermal power plants and 40 percent by hydroelectric plants. The country produces approximately 20 billion kWh of electricity annually, but frequent outages occur. There is no domestic oil production; nearly all imports are sourced through China.

The transportation network consists of 5,200 kilometers of railway, 25,000 kilometers of road, 12 ports and 24 airports. However, only one-third of roads are paved. Major ports are Nampo, Chongjin and Rajin. The railway system, originally built by Japan in the 1930s, remains the backbone of national transportation.

Demography, Education and Culture

Key Demographic Indicators (2025)

North Korea’s population as of 2025 is approximately 26.2 million. The population growth rate is 0.4 percent. Life expectancy is 69 years for men and 76 years for women. The birth rate is 13 per 1,000 and the death rate is 9 per 1,000. Infant mortality is around 20 per 1,000 live births. The urbanization rate is 63 percent.

Population Distribution and Urbanization

Approximately one-third of the population is concentrated in and around the capital, Pyongyang. Other major cities include Hamhung, Chongjin, Nampo and Wonsan. Rural life still revolves around collective production units. Urbanization is state-planned and internal migration is tightly controlled through a permit system.

Ethnic Composition

More than 99 percent of the population is ethnically Korean. Minority populations are extremely limited; apart from small Chinese and Japanese communities, no other ethnic groups exist. This homogeneity reinforces the regime’s ideological narrative of “one nation, one leader.”

Religious Distribution

Although the North Korean constitution guarantees freedom of religion, religious life is in practice under state control. The majority of the population is atheist. Christianity and Buddhism are officially recognized only as “historical heritage.” A few churches and temples in Pyongyang are used as diplomatic showcases. The regime’s ideological core presents Juche as quasi-religious; loyalty to the Kim family has become a form of social belief.

Education and Literacy Rate

Education is free and compulsory for 12 years. The literacy rate is 99.8 percent. The curriculum is heavily infused with ideological instruction; the works of Kim Il-sung and Kim Jong-il are mandatory subjects at all levels. The most prestigious university is Kim Il-sung University. Science and engineering are prioritized; foreign language education is limited.

Migration and Population Decline

Legal emigration from the country is virtually impossible. During the famine of the 1990s, tens of thousands crossed the border into China illegally. Today, attempts to leave are met with severe penalties. Population mobility occurs only within the country and is directed by the state. The low population growth rate and rising elderly population are viewed by the regime as a long-term economic risk.

Cultural life is based ideologically on collective production and loyalty. Literature, music, theater and cinema are under state control. Every year on April 15, Kim Il-sung’s birthday is celebrated as a national holiday called “Day of the Sun.” Mass demonstrations, collective dancing and march ceremonies are integral parts of cultural identity.

Tourism

Tourism in North Korea is a limited activity conducted under strict state control. Entry is possible only through state-approved tours; independent travel is prohibited. Visitors are accompanied by state-appointed guides and deviation from designated routes is considered a crime.

Tourism revenues constitute a marginal share of the national economy (approximately 1 percent of GDP). All income flows directly into state coffers. Annual visitor numbers average between 100,000 and 150,000, the majority of whom are Chinese tourists. Visitors from Western countries are exceptional.

Tourist sites are designed around ideological and historical themes. Pyongyang highlights modern monuments and mass rally areas; Kaesong is known for its historical Korean architecture; Myohyang and Paektu Mountains feature revolutionary museums. The Wonsan–Kumgang Tourist Region on the eastern coast was planned as a destination for foreign investment but remains limited due to sanctions.

To the regime, tourism serves less as an economic activity than as an ideological propaganda tool. The state uses tourism during periods of diplomatic easing to showcase the country’s prosperity and system’s “order.” However, following the COVID-19 pandemic, borders were fully closed and no tourists were admitted between 2020 and 2023.

Main Tourist Sites and Activities

• Pyongyang: Kim Il-sung Square, Mansudae Monument, Juche Tower, Arch of Triumph, Kumsusan Palace of the Sun (leader’s mausoleum).
• Myohyang Mountains: International Friendship Exhibition Hall, Buddhist temples, natural hiking trails.
• Paektu Mountain: Considered the country’s most sacred site; Lake Chon is associated with the “birth legend” of Kim Il-sung.
• Kaesong: Known for its historical Korean architecture and monuments listed on the UNESCO World Heritage List.
• Wonsan and Kumgang Mountain Region: Planned as a resort destination with coastal scenery; currently only partially operational due to sanctions.

Foreign Policy and Security

North Korea’s foreign policy is based on the principles of preserving sovereignty, regime survival and deterrence against foreign intervention. Since the 1950s, the state has made independence and self-reliance (Juche) the ideological foundation of its international relations. Foreign policy is entirely under the control of the Workers’ Party of Korea; decision-making is conducted under the absolute authority of the leader.

Geopolitical Position and Security Perception

The Korean Peninsula has been one of Asia’s most militarized regions since the Cold War. No formal peace treaty has been signed since the 1953 Armistice, and approximately two million troops are deployed along the border (DMZ). North Korea views joint military exercises by the United States and South Korea as a threat to its national security and maintains its military readiness at a consistently high level.

Relations with the People’s Republic of China

China is North Korea’s historically most important ally. It intervened in the Korean War in 1950 to save the Pyongyang regime and provided economic and military support after the war. Today, bilateral trade is the lifeline of North Korea’s economy. China is the only actor with real diplomatic leverage over Pyongyang. Nevertheless, Beijing–Pyongyang relations are not fully trust-based. China has at times supported United Nations sanctions against North Korea due to its nuclear tests. However, Beijing opposes any destabilization of the North Korean regime due to risks to border security and potential refugee inflows.

Relations with the Russian Federation

Relations between North Korea and Russia originate from the founding of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea in 1948 with Soviet support. During the Cold War, Pyongyang remained Moscow’s ideological and military ally. After the Soviet Union’s collapse, ties weakened but strengthened again in the 2020s. Moscow views Pyongyang as a strategic counterweight to the United States and the West. Since 2023, exchanges of food, fuel and munitions have increased; in 2024, the two countries signed a “Mutual Defense and Economic Cooperation Agreement.” During this period, Moscow has provided Pyongyang with food, fuel and technological support, while North Korea has begun supplying Russia with munitions and logistical assistance.

The prolongation of the Russia–Ukraine War has solidified military cooperation between the two countries. According to Western and South Korean intelligence reports, North Korea sent thousands of containers of artillery ammunition and rocket systems to Russia between 2023 and 2024. As of 2025, allegations have emerged that North Korean engineers and small military units are providing technical support in Russian-occupied territories of Ukraine. Russian President Vladimir Putin thanked North Korean soldiers in a speech in September 2025.

Russia does not officially support North Korea’s nuclear program but provides diplomatic protection by advocating for the easing of sanctions.

Relations with South Korea

North–South relations are a decisive element in the security equation of the Korean Peninsula. During the early 2000s “Sunshine Policy” period, limited dialogue and economic cooperation occurred, including the Kaesong Industrial Complex. However, this zone was closed in 2016 and relations have since deteriorated.

Although brief diplomatic contacts occurred in the 2020s, lasting normalization has not been achieved due to disagreements over the nuclear program and human rights. As of 2025, there are no direct contacts between the two countries.

Relations with the United States of America

The United States has regarded North Korea as a potential threat since the 1950s. The 1994 Agreed Framework and the Six-Party Talks of the 2000s aimed to limit Pyongyang’s nuclear activities but failed.

Summits between Kim Jong-un and U.S. President Donald Trump in Singapore in 2018 and Hanoi in 2019 raised hopes for nuclear disarmament but yielded no results. The United States continues to enforce economic, financial and technological embargoes against North Korea. In its 2025 defense doctrine, Washington classifies North Korea as a “strategic nuclear threat.”

Relations with Japan

North Korea–Japan relations are strained due to Japan’s colonial occupation in the early 20th century and the abduction of Japanese citizens during the 1970s and 1980s. Tokyo is among the countries maintaining strict sanctions against Pyongyang. There are no diplomatic relations.

United Nations and the International System

North Korea joined the United Nations simultaneously with South Korea in 1991. However, it remains under continuous sanctions due to human rights violations, ballistic missile tests and nuclear activities. International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) inspectors have not been allowed into the country since 2009. The country dismisses UN Human Rights Council reports as “political manipulation” and rejects them outright.

Security Doctrine and Nuclear Deterrence

North Korea’s security policy is based on the principle of “nuclear deterrence for regime survival.” Since its first nuclear test in 2006, the country is estimated to possess 60–70 nuclear warheads as of 2023, including short, medium and intercontinental ballistic missiles.

A new law adopted in 2022 formally enshrined the “right to preemptive nuclear strike” into doctrine. This policy bases regime security on strategic weapons capability rather than conventional defense.

The armed forces have approximately 1.2 million personnel, equivalent to about 5 percent of the population. Internal intelligence and political control units play a critical role in maintaining regime stability.

Diplomatic Isolation and Regional Influence

As of 2025, North Korea maintains diplomatic relations with 45 countries; however, most embassies operate symbolically. It preserves historical solidarity ties with former allies in Africa and the Middle East (Syria, Iran, Angola).

Pyongyang aims to establish its nuclear status as an unquestioned reality to enhance its international bargaining power. This strategy also serves as the primary mechanism to legitimize the country’s isolation under its own security doctrine.

Armed Forces and Defense Industry

The Democratic People’s Republic of Korea is one of the most militarized states in the world. As of 2025, its military structure forms the backbone of the ideological system. In accordance with the “Songun” (military-first) principle, the armed forces are not merely a defensive instrument but also the primary vehicle for economic production, social education and regime control.

The North Korean military is known as the Korean People’s Army (KPA) and consists of five main branches: ground, air, naval, strategic rocket forces and special operations units.

Military Strength (2025)

• Total military personnel: 1.28 million active, 600,000 reserve, 5 million paramilitary potential mobilization capacity.
• Defense budget: $15.7 billion U.S. dollars (approximately 25 percent of GDP).
• Foreign debt: $8 billion U.S. dollars.
• Foreign exchange and gold reserves: approximately $500 million U.S. dollars.
• Total population (2025): 26.2 million.
• Population of military age: approximately 8 million.
• Military-age population eligible for service: approximately 6.2 million (24 percent).
• Annual intake into military service: 380,000.
• Military service duration: 8–10 years for men, 5–7 years for women.
• Military training age: 17.
• Female personnel ratio: 20 percent.
• Exemptions from military service are virtually nonexistent; desertion is punishable by death.

Geographical and Strategic Position

North Korea’s military strategy is based on exploiting its natural geography as a depth of defense.

• Area: 120,540 km²
• Land borders: China (1,416 km), Russia (17 km), South Korea (238 km – DMZ line)
• Coastline: 2,495 km
• It is estimated that over 20,000 tunnels, bunkers and underground facilities exist along the border.
• The mountainous terrain provides high natural defense against conventional invasion.

Ground Forces

The ground forces, with approximately one million personnel, are the largest component. Their doctrine relies heavily on numerical superiority, depth of defense and tunnel systems. This number reaches approximately five million when including paramilitary units (workers’ and youth militias).

• Armored vehicles: approximately 4,200 tanks (T-55, T-62 and indigenous Chonma-Ho variants)
• Armored personnel carriers: 2,500+
• Towed artillery and rocket systems: 8,500+
• Multiple launch rocket systems (MLRS): 2,400+, some with ranges up to 300 mm
• Ground forces command center is in Pyongyang; defensive lines extend from the Chinese border to the DMZ.

Ground units are trained not only for conventional warfare but also for “asymmetric warfare.” Particularly, cross-border tunnel systems, sabotage and special operations units play a vital role in the regime’s deterrence strategy.

Air Force

The Korean People’s Air Force has approximately 110,000 personnel and around 800 aircraft, most of which are of Soviet and Chinese origin.

• Fighter aircraft: 450 (MiG-21, MiG-23, MiG-29 class)
• Transport aircraft: 200+
• Helicopters: 300 (mainly Mi-8 and Mi-24 variants)
• Air defense systems: S-75, KN-06 (domestically produced) and radar-guided missile networks.
• Modernization levels are limited, but the high density of low-altitude air defense systems makes the country’s airspace one of the most difficult to penetrate in the world.

Naval Forces

The North Korean Navy has approximately 60,000 personnel and around 430 vessels, focused on coastal defense.

• Submarines: approximately 70 (mostly small diesel-electric class)
• Fast attack craft: 200+
• Frigates and corvettes: 10–12
• Amphibious landing ships: approximately 20
• Naval special forces (Reconnaissance Bureau Naval Unit): approximately 20,000 personnel.
• The navy is organized into two main fleets: Western Fleet (Nampo) and Eastern Fleet (Wonsan). Operational capability is focused on coastal security and sabotage; open-ocean capability is limited.

Strategic Rocket Forces and Nuclear Capacity

North Korea’s strategic doctrine has shifted from conventional deterrence to nuclear deterrence since the 1990s.

• Estimated number of nuclear warheads: 60–70
• Ballistic missile types: Scud, Nodong, Musudan, Hwasong series
• Intercontinental Ballistic Missile (ICBM): Hwasong-15, Hwasong-17, Hwasong-18 models, range up to 13,000 km
• Medium-range missile: Pukguksong-2 (solid-fueled)
• Tactical nuclear missile range: 400–800 km
• In 2023, the first solid-fueled ICBM was successfully tested.

This capacity is defined in the country’s defense strategy under the principle of “preemptive nuclear strike.” Major nuclear facilities are located in Yongbyon, Punggye-ri and Sinpo.

Special Operations Forces

North Korea has approximately 200,000 special forces personnel specialized in sabotage, cyber operations, psychological warfare and cross-border reconnaissance.

• Unit 121, the cyber warfare unit, is among the most active internationally recognized cyberattack groups.
• The 2017 “WannaCry” cyberattack was attributed to North Korea.
• These forces are central to the regime’s global asymmetric defense strategy due to their low cost and high impact operational capability.

Defense Industry

North Korea is largely self-sufficient in arms and munitions production. It is estimated that over 200 defense industry facilities exist nationwide.

• Main production areas: small arms, ammunition, anti-tank systems, artillery rockets, missile components.
• Armored vehicles and artillery production concentrated in Sinhung and Kanggye factories.
• Naval equipment produced at Nampo Shipyard and Wonsan facilities.
• Satellite technology and rocket motor development are conducted through the Sohae Space Center.
• The 2023 launch of the “Malligyong-1” reconnaissance satellite reflects the regime’s goal of integrating space technology with military surveillance capability.

Logistics and Mobilization Capacity

• Annual intake into military service: approximately 380,000 individuals.
• Women’s mandatory mobilization: ages 18–23, followed by voluntary service.
• It is estimated that approximately 20,000 bunkers and underground tunnel complexes exist nationwide.
• During wartime, transportation routes are directed through the railway network for military logistics.
• Fuel shortages remain the weakest link in logistics capacity; however, ammunition stockpiles are at high levels.

International Military Cooperation

North Korea has revived technical cooperation with China and Russia in the 2020s. It also maintains ballistic missile technology cooperation with countries such as Iran, Syria and Myanmar.

Pyongyang has previously provided military training support to former allies in Africa and the Middle East (e.g., Angola, Uganda, Egypt). However, since UN sanctions, most of these activities have been conducted covertly or indirectly.