| a country in E Asia: formed 1948 after the division of the former country of Korea at 38° N. 24,317,004; 50,000 sq. mi. (129,500 sq. km). Capital: Pyongyang. Compare Korea. |
North Korea  (click for larger image in new window) A country of northeast Asia on the Korean Peninsula. Inhabited since ancient times, the region was occupied by Japan from 1910 until the end of World War II in 1945. After the war the peninsula was divided into a Soviet occupation zone in the north and an American zone in the south. The territory attained its present-day boundaries after the cease-fire ending the Korean War (1950-1953). Under Kim Il Sung (ruled 1948-1994) North Korea became increasingly isolated, especially after the breakup of the Soviet Union in 1991. Pyongyang is the capital and the largest city. Population: 23,300,000. North Korean adj. & n. |
Republic on northern Korean Peninsula on east coast of Asia, bounded on the north by China, on the northeast by Russian Siberia, on the east by the Sea of Japan, on the south by South Korea, and on the west by the Yellow Sea and Korea Bay. Its capital and largest city is P'yongyang.
Note: A communist country that used to have close ties with the Soviet Union, North Korea, continues to maintain a close relationship with China.
Note: It was established in 1948 after two occupation zones were set up in northern and southern Korea during World War II.
Note: The Korean War began in 1950, when North Korean forces invaded South Korea. Supplied by the Soviets, and eventually joined by the Chinese, North Korea fought forces of South Korea and the United Nations.
Note: Run by one most closed and repressive regimes on Earth, North Korea has suffered from food shortages and a deteriorating economy.