COUNTRY BRIEF: DPR OF KOREA I - BASIC FACTS. Democratic People s Republic of Korea (Chosŏn Minjujuŭi Inmin Konghwaguk)

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1 EMBASSY OF INDIA 6, Munsudong, District Daedonggang, Pyongyang, DPR Korea Tel: ; Fax: COUNTRY BRIEF: DPR OF KOREA I - BASIC FACTS Official Name: Democratic People s Republic of Korea (Chosŏn Minjujuŭi Inmin Konghwaguk) Capital: Pyongyang Area: 120,410 sq. km. (47,000 sq. mi.), slightly smaller than the size of Tamil Nadu Terrain: About 80% of North Korea's terrain consists of moderately high mountain ranges and partially forested mountains and hills separated by deep, narrow valleys and small, cultivated plains. The most rugged areas are the north and east coasts. Good harbors are found on the eastern coast. Pyongyang, the capital, near the country's west coast, is located on the Taedong River. Climate: Long, cold, dry winters; short, hot, humid, summers. Provinces (with capitals): 9 provinces: Chagang (Kanggye), North Hamgyong (Chongjin), South Hamgyong (Hamhung), North Hwanghae (Sariwon), South Hwanghae (Haeju), Kangwon (Wonsan), North P'yongan (Sinuiju), South P'yongan (Pyongsong), Yanggang (Hyesan) Province-level Pyongyang, Kaesong, Chongjin, Nampo municipalities: Free trade zones: Sinuiju (Non functional) and Kaesong (mostly operated by South Korean Companies engaging North Korea s labour forces) Other cities: Hamhung, Chongjin, Wonsan, Nampo, and Kaesong Population (2007): 22.3 million (Estimate) Currency: Won Rate of Exchange: US Dollar 1 = Won 175 approx. Language: Korean Latitude/Longitude and time zone: Latitude: North Longitude: East Standard time Zone: GMT + 9 hours Government type: Centralised Government under the rigid control of communist Korean Workers Party (WKP), to which all the government officials belong. There are a few minor political parties-the Korean Social Democratic Party and the Chondoist Chongu Party, but these are only in name. Kim Il Sung

2 - 2 - ruled DPRK from 1948 until his death in July Kim served both as Secretary General of the KWP and as President of North Korea. Little is known about the actual lines of power and authority in the DPRK s Government despite the formal structure set forth in the constitution. Following the death of Kim Il Sung, his son-kim Jong Il inherited supreme power. Kim Jong Il was named General Secretary of the Workers Party in 1997 and in September 1998; the Supreme People s Assembly (SPA) reconfirmed Kim Jong Il as Chairman of the National Defence Commission and declared that position as the Highest Office of State He did not assume the post of President as a respect for his late father who lay in state. However, the President of the Presidium of the National Assembly, Kim Yong Nam serves as the nominal Head of State. Constitution: North Korean s constitution of 1948; 1972, was revised in 1992 and 1998 Legislature: Supreme People's Assembly (SPA) is the highest organ of state power. Its members are elected every four years. Usually, only two meetings are held annually, each lasting a few days. A standing committee elected by the SPA performs legislative functions when the Assembly is not in session. In reality, the Assembly serves only to ratify decisions made by the ruling KWP. Judiciary: Supreme Court, provincial, city, county, and military courts and judiciary is accountable to the SPA and the President. The SPA s standing committee also appoints judges to the highest court for four year terms that concurrent with those of the Assembly. Political party: Korean Workers' Party (communist) Head of State: Marshal Kim Jong Il, General Secretary of the Workers' Party of Korea, Chairman of the National Defence Commission, and Supreme Commander of the Korean People's Army Head of Government: Mr. Kim Youg Il, Premier of the Cabinet of DPRK Minister of Foreign Affairs: Mr. Pak Ui Chun Minister of People s Armed Vice Marshal Kim Il Chol Forces: Minister of Public Security: Gen. Ju Sang-song Minister of Finance: Mr. Mun Il Bong Minister of Commerce: Mr. Ri Yong Son Central Bank: Foreign Trade Bank of DPRK, Pyongyang Basic policies: Songun Policy stressing pre-eminence of the Army Membership of major multilateral and regional organization: ARF, FAO, G-77, ICAO, ICRM, IFAD, IFRCS, IHO, IMO, IOC, ISO, ITU, NAM, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO

3 - 3 - Agricultural Products: Rice, corn, potatoes, soybeans, pulses; cattle, pigs, eggs Mining and manufacturing: Military products; machine building, electric power, chemicals; textiles, food processing, mining (coal, iron ore, etc.), metallurgy; Trade: Exports: 947 million (2006): minerals, metallurgical products, manufactures (including armaments); textiles and fishery products Imports: 2 billion (2006): petroleum, coking coal, machinery and equipment; textiles, grain Major trading partners: China 60%, Thailand 12.5%, Russia 4.9% (2006). These countries are followed by the EU and Japan and India. Major Universities/Scientific Institutions: Kim Il Sung University, Kim Il Sung Political College, University of National Economy, Kumsong University of Politics, Pyongng University of Fine Arts, Kim Jong Suk University of Education; Academy of Sciences, General Federation of Science and Technology of Korea, General Federation of Industrial Technology of Korea, Korea Computer Center, Major Tourist Attractions: Mountaineering, taekwondo traditional martial arts; mud (spa) treatment; traditional Korean medical treatment (acupuncture etc.), scenic beauty of the country Major Art forms/cultural traditions and venues/museums, etc.: Media: Traditional music similar to Japanese and Chinese with an emphasis on strings; stately Chongak and folksier minsogak two main forms; Folk dances: drum dances (mugo), mask dances (talchum), monk dances (seungmu) and spiritcleansing dances (salpuri); Traditional society based on tenets of Confucianism News Agency: Korean Central News Agency; Newspapers: Pyongyang Times, Rodong Sinmun (Labour Daily), Minju Joson (Democratic Korea), Pyongyang Sinmun; Korea Today Radio: Korean Central Broadcasting Station, TV Station: Korean Central TV, Mansudae TV, Voice of Korea EXIM FIGURES OF DPRK (in US $ Million) Year Export Import Total

4 China remains the number 1 trading partner of DPRK accounting for 56.7% of its total trade. China was followed by Thailand, the European Union, Russia and Japan. The trade by these countries including China covers 90% of DPRK s total trade. Thailand accounts for 12.5% of DPRK s total trade. North Korea s trade with the EU and Japan dropped sharply in Missile and nuclear tests interfered with North Korea Trade in North Korea s exports to Japan dropped by 41% while imports from Japan dropped by 30%. The trade with the EU went down by 23% in export and 18 percent in imports. The above statistics do not include the trade between the two Koreas, which reached $ 1.3 billion in 2006, a 28% increase in The South Korea exported $ Million and imported $ million from North Korea in II - INDIA-DPR KOREA RELATIONS Events/facts of particular historical and cultural significance in relations between India and that country, including date of establishment of diplomatic relations According to legends, King Kim Suro of the ancient Kaya Kingdom in Korea married with Ayodiya s Princess of India way back in A.D. 45; Buddhism was introduced to Korea in the early centuries of A.D. to become the state religion of the Paekje Kingdom; On April 2, 1929, India s great poet, Rabindranath Tagore, wrote: In the golden age of Asia, Korea was one of its lamp bearers, and that lamp is waiting to be lighted once again for the illumination in the East. India was appointed as Chairman of the 9-member UN Commission to hold elections in Korea in 1947; After the Korean war of , India played an important role as the Chairman of the NNRC (Neutral Nations Repatriation Commission); Consular relations with DPRK were set up on March 1, 1962; and The diplomatic relations between the two countries were established on December 10, 1973 Political Relations Relations between India and DPRK have been generally characterised by friendship, cooperation and understanding. As members of the Non-Aligned Movement, there is a commonality of views between the two on many international issues, e.g. Disarmament, South-South Cooperation, etc. Both sides continue to work closely at international fora and support each other on various issues of bilateral and international interests. India had welcomed the South-North Joint Declaration of June 15, 2000 and favours reduction of tension in the Korean peninsula and reunification of the two Koreas through peaceful means and through direct dialogue between them. India and DPRK have been cooperating in the UN and other international organizations. Regular and meaningful exchange of views on

5 - 5 - bilateral issues of mutual interest and concern, were conducted through mechanism of FOC. The last FOC was held in New Delhi in May India was represented by Secretary (East) and DPRK side by Vice Foreign Minister of DPRK, Kim Young Il. Important Bilateral Treaties and Agreements with brief notes i) Agreement between DPRK and India on co-operation in the field of Science and Technology signed on (initially valid for 5 years initially valid for 5 years unless decided for its termination by any of the parties). A Protocol was to be signed later for implementation of the agreement, which has not been done so far. ii) Agreement on Scientific Cooperation between State Academy of DPRK and Indian National Science Academy signed on (initially valid for two years and then to be automatically to be extended to five years if not terminated by either of the parties). iii) Protocol on Cooperation between the Ministry of External Affairs of India and Ministry of Foreign Affairs of DPRK signed on (initially valid for five years and then to be automatically extended for a further period of five years unless decided for its termination by any of the parties). iv) A Cultural agreement between India and DPRK was signed in The CEP for signed in September 2003 expired The draft CEP for is being finalized. v) An agreement on cooperation in the field of information between India and DPRK was signed in April Bilateral visits Brief details of important two-way visits (From India to DPRK) 1. Dr. Shanker Dayal Sharma, Vice President (April, 1992) at the invitation of DPRK Vice President who visited India in May 1991; 2. Shri H.S. Surjeet, General Secretary of CPI (M) (April 1993) at the invitation of Central Committee of Workers Party of Korea; 3. Shri Jyoti Basu, Chief Minister of West Bengal (May, 1994) at the invitation of Central Committee of Workers Party of Korea; 4. Shri P. Shiv Shanker, Governor of Sikkim (August, 1995) to participate on the Liberation Day of Korea; 5. Shri Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi, MOS for I&B (September, 1998) to attend 6 th Pyongyang Film Festival; 6. Dr. Vishwanath, Director General of International Institute of the Juche Idea (April, 2005) to participate in the ceremony of birth anniversary of Kim Il Sung. 7. Shri Rajiv Sikri, Secretary (East) and. Shri Ashok Kantha, Joint Secretary (EA) (June 2005) in connection with the Foreign Office Consultation (FOC) meeting (High Level visits from DPRK) 1. Mr. Li Gun Mo, Prime Minister (February, 1988) on a goodwill visit; 2. Mr. Li Jong Ok, Vice President of DPRK (May, 1991 and March 1993); 3. Mr. Yang Hyong Sop, Chairman, Supreme People s Assembly (April, 1998); 4. Mr. Choe Thae Bok, Chairman of SPA as Secretary of Central Committee of the WPK (October, 1998); 5. Mr. Pak Gil Yon, Vice Foreign Minister (April, 2000); 6. Mr. Jang Chol, Vice-Chairman of SPA (January, 2003);

6 Mr. Choe Chang Sik, Vice Minister of Public Health in November 2005 to attend the 3 rd GAVI partners Meeting held in New Delhi 8. Mr. Ma Chol Su, Director of 4 th Department in the DPRL Foreign Ministry (March 2006) to discuss bilateral matters with JS (EA) 9. Mr. Ri Ju Kwan, Vice-Chairman of the DPRK Information Committee (April 2006) to sign the agreement on cooperation in the field on information. 10. Mr. Kim Young Il, Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs of DPRK visited India in May 2007 for the FOC meeting. Commercial and Economic Relations, with trade, aid and investment details Bilateral trade between India and DPRK has declined during the recent past mainly due to the latter s inability to carry on foreign trade due to financial crunch. India s export to DPRK has fallen from US$ 170 million in to US$ million in India s import from DPRK also fell from US$ 19 million in to US$ 3.4 million in The major items exported from India to DPRK during are oil meals cotton yarn, fabrics, made-ups etc, other ores and minerals, drugs, pharmaceuticals and fine chemicals, inorganic/organic/agro chemicals, petroleum products, manufactures of metals electronic goods non-ferrous metals, machinery and instruments, gems & jewellery, dyes/antidotes & coal tar chemicals, iron & steal bar/rod etc., finished leather, chemical and allied products, primary & semi-finished iron & steal and meat & preparations. The main items of import from DPRK are iron and steel. Trade is also limited due to shortage of foreign exchange with DPRK, nonavailability of direct shipping and non-guarantee of payments through an established banking and insurance system. Because of these factors, Indian exporters have not shown much enthusiasm in exploring this market. DPRK has expressed keen interest in importing consumer goods worth US$50 million from India every year on deferred payment basis. These items include leather shoes, stockings, undergarments, school bags, bicycles, kitchen utensils, etc. They also proposed barter trade by supplying items like steel, magnesia clinker zinc, etc. in case deferred payment option is not acceptable to India. They also welcomed participation of Indian companies, Chambers of Commerce, Business houses, etc. in their annual trade fairs and various other events for promoting Indian products in DPRK market. They also welcome participation of Indian companies in joint ventures and FDIs. S&T Relations, cooperation in other fields such as Railways, Space, IT, Biotechnology, Infrastructure, Mining etc. A number of Koreans underwent trainings in IT in India and are working in important institutions such as kcckp and Pyongyang Informatics Centre. India has also conveyed its no objection for sending 200 students from DPRK to study information and technology, financial management, etc in India on self-financing basis. Twenty students are undergoing for computer training at NIIT in India. Chairs in Universities on Indian Studies, South Asian Studies, etc., and vice versa in Indian Universities, relevant Area Studies Centres in the two countries Nil Major Indian projects undertaken and other ongoing Indian projects

7 - 7 - Nil ITEC Assistance and programmes Since , five ITEC slots were being offered to DPRK. For 2004, India agreed to increase the slots from five to ten. Accordingly, ten DPRK nationals were sent to India to participate in Programme on Development, Implementation and Management of Computer Software Applications, English for Professionals and Visiting Research Fellowships in International Economic Issues & Development Policy Research courses. The ITEC slots have been increased to 13 since India has also offered two slots under ITEC for training of two DPRK defence personnel in English Language in In September 2001, DPRK requested us to provide slot for Professional Course for Foreign Diplomats (PCFD) at the Foreign Service Institute. Accordingly, we offered one slot to DPRK. The DPRK side has, however, requested at least two slots. Their request was considered and two DPRK female diplomats were trained at the 40 th PCFD held from to In the financial year also a total number of 13 ITEC slots were utilised by the DPRK. North Korea has also been allotted 13 slots for under ITEC. Other Indian training/assistance schemes See under IT. Details of Indian Credit Lines/Official Assistance India has been extending humanitarian assistance to DPRK, which has suffered food shortages during the last few years as a result of natural calamities. The DPRK authorities have expressed their gratitude for India s humanitarian assistance to them from time to time. The assistance provided from India consisted of consignment of blankets, rice, wheat, baby food, polythene sheets, etc. In the recent past, India donated 2,000 MT of white rice in September 2002 and 1000 MT of rice in July ,000 Dexamethasone 4 mg. (1 ml injection) were also provided to the DPRK. India also donated medicines for the victims of the Ryongchon train blast. DPRK was also provided 2,000 MT of rice in January 2006 as gifts of government and people of India. DPRK Government donated US$ 30,000 in the Prime Minister s National Relief Fund for the relief of the people affected by the Tsunami that hit India in December Cultural Troupes Incoming and outgoing over last few years Under the cultural agreement between India and DPRK signed in 1976, ICCR has been sending troupes to the April Spring Friendship Art Festival in Pyongyang every year except in 2003 due to the spread of SARS epidemic in the region. A Bhangra/Giddha dance troupe participated in 2004 Spring Festival to mark the 30 th anniversary of diplomatic relations. A 12-member Indian (Uttar Pradesh) Folk Dance Troupe of Radhe Biraj Lok Kala Samiti led by Shri Mohan Singh Fouji participated in the 25 th April Spring Friendship Art Festival held in Pyongyang during April, Pyongyang International Film Festivals India has been participating in this bi-annual International Film Festival of Pyongyang on a regular basis. Koreans are fond of Indian feature films and popular

8 - 8 - films are admired and fondly remembered by the Korean public and authorities. India also participated in the 10 th Pyongyang International Film Festival held in Pyongyang from 13 th t0 23 rd September The India s only entrance to the Festival MEENAXI-A TALE OF THREE CITIES produced and directed by M. F. Husain won two prizes for best cinematography and best production design. Korea-India Friendship Association The Korea-India Friendship Association was established in February 1970 by the Committee for Cultural Relations with Foreign Countries (CCRFC) for fostering friendly relations and projecting India s cultural image in the DPRK. The society is the nodal point for interaction between the Mission and the CCRFC, which is the counterpart of our ICCR. The Association has been organising events from time to time for promoting relations between the two countries. The Association runs a Friendship School and a Friendship Farm. India has donated 100 Kg of wheat seed in March Computers and Audio Visual equipments were also donated to the India-DPRK Friendship School in August Student Exchange Programmes, etc. Any Sister City relations with India Important streets, public places named after Indian leaders Types of visas issued, and visa details for officials, students, business people, tourists, etc. from India. No visits by Indian officials, tourists and students were noticed in the recent past. During the recent past only about 3 Indians made business trips and about a dozen of junior Indian boxers visited DPRK for a month s training. An 11-member table tennis team and a 30-member martial arts team form India visited Pyongyang to participate in the 20 th Pyongyang International Invitational Table Tennis Tournament and the 2 nd International Martial Arts Games. A 26-member Indian Football Team participated in the Olympic 2008 Qualifying Competition Match held on 18 th April 2007 in Pyongyang. Indian team displayed an impressive performance in the second half after a lacklustre game in the first half in which DPRK team scored two goals. Indian team replied with one goal in the second half. Air links with India/Convenient Travel Routes There is no direct air connection between India and DPRK. One can travel via Hong Kong or Bangkok or in the direct flight to Beijing. Air Koryo operates flights from Beijing thrice a week on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays. Southern China Airlines operates two flights in a week Mondays and Tuesday during summer between March and October. Train service between Beijing to Pyongyang is four times a week (Mondays/Wednesdays/Fridays/Saturdays). Addresses of branch offices of other Indian Government and Public Sector organisations, Chambers of Commerce, etc., such as Tourist Office, Export Promotion Councils, FICCI, CII, ASSOCHEM, etc.

9 - 9 - Name, address and contact details of Indian Culture Centres, if any. Links to related important Indian Speeches/Statements, chronologically listed Links to Indian Press Releases, and Press Releases relating to India, chronologically listed ***** Estimated NRI/PIO population Only three persons from India and two persons of Indian origin have been working in UN Missions in Pyongyang. Important NRI/PIO Associations and their contact details. Major Indian ethnic papers/tv channels with contact details. NRIs/PIOs holding significant public offices. Dr. Tej Bir Walia, a person of Indian origin and Canadian national, is working as Country Director of World Health Organisation in Pyongyang. Another person of Indian origin and US national, Shri Vineet Bhatia, working as Deputy Resident Co-ordinator and Deputy Representative of UNDP left Pyongyang on 3 rd May, 2007 as UNDP decided to suspend its operation in DPRK. Updated in May, 2007 *****

South Korea Rugged Mountains, coastal plains, and river valleys Rivers Han, Kum, and Naktong

Both countries lie on the Korean peninsula North Korea Mountains and Valleys Rivers Yalu and Tumen South Korea Rugged Mountains, coastal plains, and river valleys Rivers Han, Kum, and Naktong Climate -