The world's most secretive country is in the news more and more often. This week we will learn about North Korea and find out why we have been hearing so much about it.
Briefing Questions
What do we know about North Korea?: North Korea is slightly smaller than England. Around 25 million people live there, this is less than half the population of England. The country is poor and most people who live there struggle.
North Koreans who speak out against their government can be cruelly punished and sent to labour camps.
Other than this, not a lot is known about what life is like in North Korea. Journalists and reporters are very rarely allowed to visit the country and its government (called a regime because it is not democratic) controls the media. This means North Koreans do not learn about the rest of the world.
Everything North Koreans read in newspapers or posters, see on television or hear on the radio is controlled by their government. Countries like South Korea, Japan and the USA are presented in the media as evil enemies.
The regime is proud of its military and often makes announcements to the rest of the world when developments are made. From these announcements and their actions we know they have developed missiles and weapons.
Who runs the country? North Korea is very different to countries like America or the UK. Rather than having an election to decide who should be in charge, one family has been in charge since 1948.
One male head of the family has the title of supreme leader and he rules until he dies. Then he is replaced by another male family member. The media present the country's leader as being a godlike figure who should be worshipped.
Kim II-sung was the first leader, in 1994 his son Kim Jong-il took over. Since 2011 his son, Kim Jong-un, has ruled North Korea.
These leaders have a history of being ruthless. Their only concern is to protect their regime and keep their hold of power. Their ideas can have a dangerous effect on the lives of ordinary North Korean people. For example, they force many of the population to live in poverty without little food and they talk of war against South Korea and America.
North Korea's second leader Kim Jong-il once ordered 12 giant rabbits from Germany thinking they would solve the hunger crisis faced by millions of his people. He also banned the World Cup from being broadcast in North Korea in 2009 unless North Korea won.
Are North Korea and South Korea the same country? No. They were once the same country; Korea. At the end of World War Two North and South Korea became separate countries. They are very different places to live. South Korea is a democracy: South Koreans have far more freedom and a much stronger economy.
The two countries also have very different political ideas. This has caused conflict in the past. Between 1950 and 1953 the countries were at war. There was no peace treaty to end the war. So they are still officially at war and remain enemies to this day.
Why is North Korea in the news? This small country is flexing its muscles and becoming more aggressive. It has been testing and firing missiles. It has built weapons that could cause problems for the rest of the world.
Why are people talking about China?: China is North Korea's main allyA country that has agreed to support another one. . The Chinese provide vital resources to the struggling country. North Korea exports goods to China for them to sell on to other countries. The rest of the world is angry: as long as China keeps helping and trading with North Korea the world's attempts to sanction North Korea do not work. Sanctions are supposed to put North Korea on the naughty step and force the regime to be more reasonable without resorting to violence.
Why do America and North Korea argue? North Korea does not like America, because it is allied with their enemy, South Korea. America protected the South when North Korea invaded to start the Korean War in 1950. China helped North Korea in the war. North Korea often portrays America as being a bully. America has a famously strong military and North Korea takes a lot of pride in its own military too. It sees America as competition and is deliberately trying to provoke them.
America has a strong military presence in South Korea.
What do we know? Nuclear weapons have not been used since 1945. It is not something the rest of the world want to see happen again.
Groups like the United Nations were formed to bring countries together to trade and keep one another safe and at peace. The UN Security Council organises meetings between member countries to find solutions.
The disputes between America and North Korea have not yet ended in another war. Many think the North Korean regime really would be mad to start a war.
North Korea
Glossary
Ally - A country that has agreed to support another one.