North Korea Population

Population Distribution

People in North Korea

North Korea is an unusual country. The people there live isolated from the rest of the world and it is difficult to know what the people there really think and how they live.

North Korea is ruled by a dictator, but the "Eternal President" Kim Il-sung is present everywhere, although he has been dead since 1994. After his death, he is considered the country's head of state.

The current head of state Kim Jong-un is the grandson of Kim Il-sung and son of Kim Jong-il, his predecessor. Sounds kind of complicated, but it's not: Three dictators ruled the country one after the other and the current one is called Kim Jong-un.

Enthusiasm for the state

In contrast to his two predecessors, you don't see any pictures of the current head of state Kim Jong-un except in a few magazines and brochures in the country. However, father and grandfather can be seen everywhere. They are immortalized in pictures and statues throughout the country and are worshiped like gods. We do not know whether the people really revere their heads of state as is claimed. A large part of the population is actually convinced of this. This enthusiasm often seems strange to visitors to the country. Some things like the eternal bows to the former rulers seem completely exaggerated. Do they all bow voluntarily because they are convinced of it? Anyone who does not have to expect severe penalties.

A good life for everyone?

Those who travel to North Korea have to be prepared for the fact that tourists are strictly controlled. The country is at its best, so the hotels are also geared towards tourists. You can eat, live and live well here. But whether the normal population also gets all these luxury goods remains questionable.

Who lives in North Korea?

It is not known exactly how many people live in North Korea. It should be around 25 million, but there are only estimates and no numbers that can be substantiated. Most people live in the big cities, of which the capital Pyongyang is the largest and most populous with just under three million residents.

Almost all of North Korea's residents are Koreans. There are a few Chinese and a few Russians living there, but overall this population group does not make up more than one percent of the population. The most important language is Korean, but Chinese and Russian are also spoken.

Languages in North Korea

Religions in North Korea

As it is a socialist system, religion is not considered important. Most Koreans have no denomination, so they do not belong to any religion. Many people in this part of Asia are Buddhists or followers of Confucianism. Some Koreans advocate shamanismor mixed forms of different religions. In the period from 1949 to 1952, i.e. at the beginning of Kim Il-sung's rule and during the Korean War, the churches in the country were destroyed and many priests were killed or sent to camps. Since then, there are no longer any Christian communities in North Korea. Although the North Korean Constitution provides for the freedom to practice one's religion, it is practically non-existent. Many people who belong to one religion, especially the Christian religion, are persecuted and often sent to prison camps.

• North Korea Location on Map