North Korea Quiz: How Well do You Know the Hermit Kingdom!

North Korea operates a centrally planned or command economy, where the government controls all means of production, distribution, and pricing. Private enterprise is nearly nonexistent, and foreign trade is heavily restricted.

Kim Jong Un became Supreme Leader after the death of his father, Kim Jong Il, in December 2011. He is the third generation of the Kim family dynasty and has continued the authoritarian and militaristic policies of his predecessors while increasing nuclear development.

After Japan's defeat in World War II, Korea was divided at the 38th parallel into two occupation zones: the Soviet Union in the North and the United States in the South. On September 9, 1948, the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (North Korea) was proclaimed under Kim Il Sung, backed by the Soviets, while South Korea was established earlier in August 1948.

North Korea’s population is estimated at around 27 million people. However, accurate figures are hard to confirm due to limited access and government censorship of demographic data.

The DMZ is a buffer zone established in 1953 along the 38th parallel to separate North and South Korea after the Korean War armistice. Although it is called "demilitarized," it is one of the most militarized borders in the world, with guards, mines, and military facilities on both sides.

The Yalu River, also known as the Amnok River in Korean, forms a large portion of the border between North Korea and China. It flows from Mount Paektu to the Korea Bay. The river is significant not only geographically but also historically, as it was a strategic location during the Korean War.

The DMZ stretches for about 250 kilometers (160 miles) from the east coast to the west coast of the Korean Peninsula and is approximately 4 kilometers wide. It acts as a buffer between the two Koreas and is monitored by both countries and the United Nations.

The Ryugyong Hotel is a 105-story pyramid-shaped skyscraper in Pyongyang. Construction began in 1987 but has been plagued by delays due to funding and technical issues. Though structurally complete, it remains unfinished and mostly unused.

The Mass Games, also known as the Arirang Festival, are large-scale performances featuring thousands of participants in synchronized gymnastics, dance, and mosaic displays. They are used to promote national pride and loyalty to the Kim regime.

Panmunjom, located within the DMZ, is the site of the Joint Security Area (JSA) where diplomatic meetings and negotiations between the two Koreas take place. It is a symbol of both conflict and hope for reconciliation.

Pyongyang is the capital and largest city of North Korea, situated on the Taedong River. It is the country’s political, economic, and cultural center and has historical significance as one of the oldest cities in Korea. The city houses major government institutions, including the offices of the ruling Workers’ Party and the Supreme People’s Assembly.

Mount Paektu, on the border with China, is considered the spiritual birthplace of the Korean people and is central to North Korea’s nationalist mythology. State propaganda claims that Kim Jong Il was born there, although historical records suggest otherwise.

The Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) is North Korea’s official media outlet. It provides government-approved news and propaganda to both domestic and international audiences, often glorifying the Kim leadership.

The country’s full official name is the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK). Despite the name, it is not democratic in practice and functions as a single-party dictatorship.

China is North Korea’s closest ally, providing economic aid, food, and diplomatic support. The two nations share ideological roots in communism and a long-standing relationship since the Korean War, during which China intervened to support North Korea.

North Korea’s nuclear weapons program is one of the most pressing international security concerns. Despite global sanctions, the country has conducted several nuclear tests and developed ballistic missile technology, drawing widespread condemnation.

North Korea is a totalitarian dictatorship where the government controls all aspects of life, including media, economy, education, and public discourse. Power is concentrated in the hands of the ruling Kim family, and there are no real democratic processes or civil liberties.

The Korean War began on June 25, 1950, when North Korean troops crossed the 38th parallel and invaded South Korea, aiming to unify the peninsula under communist rule. The war led to a massive international conflict involving the US-led UN forces supporting the South and China backing the North.

The Sea of Japan (also called the East Sea in Korea) lies to the east of North Korea. It is a body of water separating the Korean Peninsula from Japan and is a point of geopolitical and environmental interest.

Juche, developed by Kim Il Sung, is the state ideology of North Korea. It focuses on self-reliance in politics, economy, and defense. While it has roots in Marxism-Leninism, Juche has evolved into a unique nationalist ideology used to justify the regime’s independence and totalitarian rule.

North Korea has periodically participated in the Olympic Games, especially the Summer Olympics. However, political tensions and global sanctions have occasionally led them to boycott or withdraw from participation.

Kim Il Sung is regarded as the "Eternal President" and founding father of North Korea. He led the Korean Workers’ Party and established a one-party communist state with a strict personality cult. He ruled from 1948 until his death in 1994 and developed the Juche ideology, emphasizing self-reliance.

The Workers' Party of Korea (WPK) is the ruling party and central authority in North Korea. It is a communist party led by Kim Jong Un and plays a dominant role in all aspects of governance and society. Other parties exist nominally but have no independent power.

North Korea’s currency is the North Korean won (KPW). It is a closed currency, not freely convertible on international markets, and its value is tightly controlled by the government. Foreigners often use separate currencies for transactions inside the country.

The North Korean flag consists of red, white, and blue, with red being the dominant color in the central horizontal stripe. The red represents revolutionary spirit, while the star symbolizes communism.The North Korean flag consists of red, white, and blue, with red being the dominant color in the central horizontal stripe. The red represents revolutionary spirit, while the star symbolizes communism.