North Korea

North Korea, officially the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, is a country in East Asia occupying the northern part of the Korean Peninsula. It is a one-party state ruled by the Kim family since its founding in 1948.

Workers' Party of Korea: The ruling political party of North Korea, founded in 1945 and led by Kim Jong Un. It directs the state and dominates political life under North Korea’s party system.
Korea under Japanese rule: The period from 1910 to 1945 when the Korean Peninsula was annexed and governed by the Japanese Empire. Japanese colonial rule preceded the division and competing political projects that produced North Korea.
Kim Jong Un: The supreme leader of North Korea since 2011 and the third generation of the Kim family to rule the country. His leadership defines the current direction of North Korean policy.
South Korea: A country in East Asia occupying the southern part of the Korean Peninsula, officially called the Republic of Korea. It is North Korea’s counterpart across the peninsula’s division and the Korean Demilitarized Zone.
Songun: A North Korean policy giving the Korean People’s Army priority in state affairs and resource allocation. It describes the military-first doctrine that shaped governance under Kim Jong Il.
Division of Korea: The post-1945 separation of the Korean Peninsula into northern and southern zones of occupation and rival states. The division created the political boundary from which North Korea emerged.
Kim Jong Il: North Korea’s leader from 1994 until 2011 and the son and successor of Kim Il Sung. His tenure consolidated hereditary rule and advanced the Songun policy.
Korean Demilitarized Zone: A heavily fortified buffer zone established by the 1953 Korean Armistice Agreement across the Korean Peninsula. It marks the military boundary between North and South Korea.
Juche: North Korea’s official ideology, emphasizing political independence, economic self-reliance, and national defense. The state uses Juche to frame its claims of autonomy and its political legitimacy.
Soviet occupation of North Korea: The Soviet military administration in northern Korea from 1945 until the establishment of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea. Soviet occupation shaped the institutions and leadership of the new state.

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