North Korea

North Korea – a Land of Mystery, History and Secrecy

Discussions concerning North Korea sometimes involve mystery and controversy since it is a nation that is formally referred to as the Democratic People Republic of Korea (DPRK). Remarkable by its hard regime, espionage state, and isolated community, North Korea has the reputation of being one of the most mysterious states on the planet. It has a wonderful history, a fascinating culture, but it is the political and social environment of the country which can attract much attention. In this article, the geography, history, culture, etc of North Korea is discussed and the reader is given a little deeper insight of this unusual country.

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Geographical Location

North Korea is in East Asia and the Korean Peninsula, with its northwest, northeast and south neighbors as the country of China, Russia and South Korea respectively. It is being divided by the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ), a heavily guarded territory that is seen as the boundary between the two nations. On its eastern end, the country is coasts on by the Sea of Japan and to the west, it borders the Yellow Sea.

North Korea is slightly smaller than South Korea and the size is about 120,540square kilometers. The topography of the country is characterized by different topographical features including an indication that the country comprises mountains, rivers, and coastal plains and that the interior part of the country is mostly mountainous contributing to the scanty agricultural land in the country.

Natural Features and Landforms

The land of North Korea is mostly mountainous, especially in central and eastern North Korea. The Paektu Mountain is supposed to be the highest and sacred place particularly in the mythology and history of North Korea. There are also fertile plains in the country along the Yalu River which forms the boundary line with China and the Russia-border Tumen River on the east.

Bays, peninsulas and islands are scattered along the coastline of the Yellow Sea whereas some of the most beautiful beaches are accessible via the Sea of Japan. The climate of North Korea is temperate in the southern part and varied in the charge of the north; it is cool in winters and heated in summer seasons.

The Korean Kingdoms to the Current Republic of the DPRK

The Korean Peninsula has a long history that goes back thousands of years back when people had evidence of early civilization and countries such as Goguryeo, Baekje, and Silla existed between the 1 st century BCE and the 7 th century CE. Such kingdoms were the origin of the current Korean culture and art as well as traditions.

The peninsula was united in the 10th century by Goryeo (the name leading to Korea). This was succeeded by the Joseon Dynasty (13921910) which governed Korea for more than five hundred years and left a significant impression on Korean culture, especially on the Confucian philosophy, art and the Korean language.

Japanese Rule and Independence

Between 1910 and 1945, Korea was the colony of Japan, the time that was characterized by severe oppression, coercive assimilation and cultural devastation. During this period, the Korean independence movement strengthened and culminated in the realization of independence of the country after World War II in 1945.

The Korean war and the division of Korea

Upon defeating Japan, Korea was carved into two occupation zones with the Soviets occupying it in the north and the Americans in the south along a demarcation line referred to as the 38th parallel. The Korean conflict that saw the communist North and the capitalist South at each other came to a head resulting in the Korean War of 1950-1953 that concluded with an armistice agreement rather than a Peace treaty. The Demilitarized Zone (DMZ) was implemented and the North and the South faces of Korea were officially divided into two different states; North Korea and South Korea.

The Ascendency of Kim Il-sung and the DPRK

Following the war Kim Il-sung became the leader of North Korea and formed an organization of totalitarianism based on communism aided by the Soviets. With his leadership, North Korea embraced Juche ideology which was a means of self-reliance whereby the country believed more in being independent in every sphere of life which includes politics, economy and culture. At the head of the family dynasty, Kim Il-sung would remain the leader of North Korea through several decades.

After the death of Kim Il-sung in 1994, his son Kim Jong-il became the leader until the current North Korean leader, Kim Jong-un became the leader.

Culture and Society

North Korea has a homogenous ethnic population and the people are almost all the ethnic Koreans. Although China, Russian, and Japanese people are represented in small communities, the percentage of them among the population is insignificant.

The country has retained its unique culture over a long period which is the combination of the traditional Korean as well as the Juche ideology by the ruling regime. The ideology focuses on self-reliance and idolizes the Kim family which is believed to be the ear of all political, social, and cultural activities in the country.

Religion

North Korea is a formally atheistic country and the government puts a lot of restrictions on religion. Religions especially Christianity and Buddhism are prohibited and the regime encourages the people to worship Kim Jong-un and his family. Kim Il-sung is officially honored as an eternal president and his picture can be found vividly displayed across the cities.

Whereas Christianity and Buddhism are exercised in small personal areas, the most common form of religious worship is the state sponsored idolization of the kim family.

Culture and traditions

Culture Juche and militaristic nationalism feature heavily in North Korean culture, and art, music and literature are used to praise the leadership and to propagate patriotism. The custom systems of traditional Korean culture, such as culture, festivals, and foods, are preserved, and it is transformed frequently to underline the power and integrity of the state.

North Korea produces mass games and parades, which are considered important cultural activities, and many times they are organized to display military strength and the people’s commitment to the government in power. Such functions are usually complemented with gymnastics, music and drumming.

Trouble and Autarky

Economic System

The economy of North Korea is centrally planned where the government manages almost all the production and distribution processes. The economy of the country has been experiencing a lot of challenges such as the international sanctions, lack of resources and the government’s concentration on military expenditure. Agriculture is one of the most important sectors, but frequently fails to prosper since it lacks modern agricultural methods and has to depend on some random weather conditions.

It is also endowed with a few mineral deposits like coal, iron ore and rare earth metals and its major exports include selling them to other nations like China. Inaccessibility to international markets however has impeded economic growth.

Tourism

North Korea considerably controls state tourism. The only way foreigners can enter into the country is on pre-scheduled tours through very few state controlled tourism companies. Being far away, the country has several exclusive attractions in the form of Pyongyang, Demilitarized Zone (DMZ) and other sites associated with the Korean War.

Commitment to the Military and Economics First

The North Korean budget spends a lot on the military thus it leads to the military-first policy of North Korea. Such focus on defense expenditure has resulted in a deficit of basic commodities such as food, medical care, and shelter, despite the military feat and the industrial potential of the country.

Things not to miss

Pyongyang: The regime centre is in the capital city, Pyongyang, playing host to the military capability and Juche beliefs of the country. Some of the landmarks that visitors can visit at Pyongyang include:

Kim Il-sung Square: It is a huge square serving as a venue of parades and military displays.

Mansudae Grand Monument: The largest statue of Kim Il-sung, one of the popular attractions in the nation.

Arch of Triumph: A triumphal arch that marks the independence of Korea in rebellion against Japan.

Mount Paektu is a holy place to North Koreans and it is regarded as the birth place of Kim Jong-il. It is the major icon of national mythology, at the top of it is a lake that is considered to be having any special spiritual meaning.

DMZ (Demilitarized Zone)

The Demilitarized Zone ranks among the most politically crucial spots all over the globe. It exists between North Korea and South Korea, and it is considered one of the most militarized borders of the world. Panmunjom area tours enable clients to see the stagnated state of affairs of the two Koreas.

Healthcare and Education

The healthcare system in North Korea is a government-owned system and citizens get free healthcare. Nevertheless, healthcare is uneven in its quality, and opportunities of receiving certain advanced treatment and medications are also scarce, especially in rural communities. Various health challenges have been experienced in the country such as cases of periodical shortage of food and disease outbreaks.

Education System

The North Korean educational system is dominated by the centralistic approach, having its curriculum centered on the Juche, Kim family, and the regime’s successes. Education includes Primary and secondary education which is compulsory and higher education is offered in universities including Kim Il-sung University in Pyongyang. Nevertheless, the decision to gain education is highly dependent on the loyalty to the regime and the ruling family.

Infrastructure and Transportation

The transportation network in North Korea is also limited with the use of domestic transport being routes of rivers and roads, trains and buses. There are railroads in the country and major cities are interconnected, but there is very limited international transport. The key airport is Pyongyang International Airport which has limited flight destinations owing to the fact that the country is isolated.

Urban Development

Pyongyang is the most advanced of North Korean cities characterized by high rise building structures, government buildings and people squares. The rest of the country however has major infrastructure problems such as the rural areas which are poorly developed and even the provision of necessities is limited.

Optimal Period to Travel for a Tourist

Spring (April to May) or autumn (September to October) are the most appropriate times to visit North Korea due to mild weather, which is amiable to outdoor activities. Summer months are equally humid with the winter months anywhere being extraordinarily cold in the northern parts.

Conclusion: North Korean Future

North Korea is an isolated and a very complex politically inclined state in the world. Although endowed with history and culture, the situation in the country is not easy to live in and visit as it is permanently in isolation, under strict management by the ruling regime, and preoccupied with military power. Nevertheless, North Korea is a state that is of great interest and curiosity to the rest of the world due to the resilience of the nation and the country with its unique history and culture.

Frequently asked questions

Are there any North Korean tourist attractions?

North Korea is mostly a safe country to travel, however, it is crucial that you will go by the rules of regulations and restrictions set out by the government. The tourists are not allowed to travel independently and have to be under the guidance of an official guide.

Which are the main tourist attractions in North Korea?

Pyongyang, Mount Paektu, Demilitarized Zone (DMZ) and Kumsusan Palace of the Sun are some of the greatest attractions.

Which are the languages of North Korea?

Its official language is Korean.

Can one travel freely in North Korea?

New travel in North Korea is not independent and has to be planned by official travel agencies.

What currency is North Korea?

The North Korean won (KPW) is its official currency although foreign currencies such as euro and the US dollar are used in a few instances.