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'''North Korea''' is the world's most severe [[communist]] [[dictatorship]] and one of the poorest and most [[famine]]-stricken nations on earth.  It lies in eastern Asia and occupies the Korean peninsula north of a line that roughly follows the 38th parallel.  

'''North Korea''' is the world's most severe [[communist]] [[dictatorship]] and one of the poorest and most [[famine]]-stricken nations on earth.  It lies in eastern Asia and occupies the Korean peninsula north of a line that roughly follows the 38th parallel.  

It was ruled by self-absorbed dictator and "Dear Leader" [[Kim Jong Il]], who succeeded his father the "Great Leader" [[Kim Il Sung]]. Upon Kim Jong-Il's death, his son [[Kim Jong-un]] officially took over.<ref>[http://www.nytimes.com/2012/02/02/world/asia/packaging-of-Kim-Jong-un-in-north-korea.html?pagewanted=all New York Times; 1 February; To Sell a New Leader, North Korea Finds a Mirror Is Handy]</ref>

It was ruled by self-absorbed dictator and "Dear Leader" [[Kim Jong Il]], who succeeded his father the "Great Leader" [[Kim Il Sung]]. Upon Kim Jong-Il's death, his son [[Kim Jong-un]] officially took over.<ref>[https://www.nytimes.com/2012/02/02/world/asia/packaging-of-Kim-Jong-un-in-north-korea.html?pagewanted=all New York Times; 1 February; To Sell a New Leader, North Korea Finds a Mirror Is Handy]</ref>

Its official name is '''Democratic People's Republic of Korea''', but its government does not follow Western ideas of [[democracy]] ([[French Revolution]] aside). Rather, it is organized along [[Stalinism|Stalinist]] lines. Its Supreme People's Assembly is merely a rubber-stamp parliament.<ref>http://www.upi.com/Top_News/Special/2010/05/21/North-Korea-slammed-over-Cheonan-sinking/UPI-48941274459460/</ref>

Its official name is '''Democratic People's Republic of Korea''', but its government does not follow Western ideas of [[democracy]] ([[French Revolution]] aside). Rather, it is organized along [[Stalinism|Stalinist]] lines. Its Supreme People's Assembly is merely a rubber-stamp parliament.<ref>http://www.upi.com/Top_News/Special/2010/05/21/North-Korea-slammed-over-Cheonan-sinking/UPI-48941274459460/</ref>

The official North Korean ideology is known as [[Juche]] (which roughly translates as "national self-reliance"), and since the mid 1990s, [[Songun]] ("military first").  A cult-like devotion to the "Great Leader" and "Dear Leader" is expected of citizens, and heavily promoted in the North Korean news media which has little actual news and mostly consists of effusive praise toward [[Kim Jong Un]], grandiose and unsubstantiated claims about great feats by him and his father, and repetitious admonitions that the Korean people are totally united as one behind his leadership. In contrast between 600,000 and 3.5 million North Koreans have died of starvation in recent years because the Kim government has so mismanaged the economy, particularly agriculture, and has hampered outside efforts at relief.<ref>http://www.washingtontimes.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20071009/COMMENTARY/110090010/1012&template=nextpage</ref>

The official North Korean ideology is known as [[Juche]] (which roughly translates as "national self-reliance"), and since the mid 1990s, [[Songun]] ("military first").  A cult-like devotion to the "Great Leader" and "Dear Leader" is expected of citizens, and heavily promoted in the North Korean news media which has little actual news and mostly consists of effusive praise toward [[Kim Jong Un]], grandiose and unsubstantiated claims about great feats by him and his father, and repetitious admonitions that the Korean people are totally united as one behind his leadership. In contrast between 600,000 and 3.5 million North Koreans have died of starvation in recent years because the Kim government has so mismanaged the economy, particularly agriculture, and has hampered outside efforts at relief.<ref>https://www.washingtontimes.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20071009/COMMENTARY/110090010/1012&template=nextpage</ref>

==People==

==People==

*He scored a perfect 300 the first time he went bowling.<ref>http://www.csmonitor.com/World/Latest-News-Wires/2011/1222/Kim-Jong-il-Legendary-golfer-and-mythical-powers-even-in-death</ref>

*He scored a perfect 300 the first time he went bowling.<ref>http://www.csmonitor.com/World/Latest-News-Wires/2011/1222/Kim-Jong-il-Legendary-golfer-and-mythical-powers-even-in-death</ref>

*When he died, "the skies glowed red above Mount Paektu and the impenetrable sheet of ice at the heart of the mystical volcano cracked with a deafening roar." <ref>http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/12/22/kim-jong-il-dies-myths_n_1164755.html</ref>

*When he died, "the skies glowed red above Mount Paektu and the impenetrable sheet of ice at the heart of the mystical volcano cracked with a deafening roar." <ref>https://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/12/22/kim-jong-il-dies-myths_n_1164755.html</ref>

In large part because of this cult of personality aspect to propaganda, the various propaganda films for North Korea, in the exact opposite of how state propaganda is generally used to uphold the people of a nation, usually depicts the North Korean people as being weak while the enemy was depicted as strong to reinforce the need of the Kim Dynasty. A notable example of this is in the animated North Korean propaganda film ''Squirrel and Hedgehog'', where the protagonists (representing North Koreans) are depicted largely as effeminate squirrels and ducks and other assorted prey animals that constantly cry, while the antagonists, demonic wolves (representing Americans) were depicted as extremely competent and given a very imposing appearance.

In large part because of this cult of personality aspect to propaganda, the various propaganda films for North Korea, in the exact opposite of how state propaganda is generally used to uphold the people of a nation, usually depicts the North Korean people as being weak while the enemy was depicted as strong to reinforce the need of the Kim Dynasty. A notable example of this is in the animated North Korean propaganda film ''Squirrel and Hedgehog'', where the protagonists (representing North Koreans) are depicted largely as effeminate squirrels and ducks and other assorted prey animals that constantly cry, while the antagonists, demonic wolves (representing Americans) were depicted as extremely competent and given a very imposing appearance.

As well as the state-sponsored propaganda served up to its own citizens, the DPRK attempts to push its message onto South Koreans as well.  

As well as the state-sponsored propaganda served up to its own citizens, the DPRK attempts to push its message onto South Koreans as well.  

The best examples are found on the North Korean side of the DMZ, where massive hillside signs point to the U.S. as an enemy of reunification and boast of a prosperous life in the North. More absurd is Jikong-dong, also known as "Propaganda village," a fake town intended to show the fine living conditions in the North.<ref>http://www.nickspics.net/v/Travel/South_Korea_2009/IMG_2075_5DMK2.JPG.html</ref> The town is devoid of human life and was quickly exposed as a sham when Southern officials noticed that all city lights turned on and off at the same time each day, most windows contained no glass and there was no evident civilian life. The town also boasts the world's tallest flagpole, bearing a North Korean flag weighing 600 pounds.<ref>http://www.flickr.com/photos/aaronbrownphotos/3514929586/</ref>

The best examples are found on the North Korean side of the DMZ, where massive hillside signs point to the U.S. as an enemy of reunification and boast of a prosperous life in the North. More absurd is Jikong-dong, also known as "Propaganda village," a fake town intended to show the fine living conditions in the North.<ref>http://www.nickspics.net/v/Travel/South_Korea_2009/IMG_2075_5DMK2.JPG.html</ref> The town is devoid of human life and was quickly exposed as a sham when Southern officials noticed that all city lights turned on and off at the same time each day, most windows contained no glass and there was no evident civilian life. The town also boasts the world's tallest flagpole, bearing a North Korean flag weighing 600 pounds.<ref>https://www.flickr.com/photos/aaronbrownphotos/3514929586/</ref>

===Censorship===

===Censorship===

===Ballistic missiles===

===Ballistic missiles===

On 7 February 2016, North Korea successfully launched a long-range rocket, carrying the satellite Kwangmyongsong-4, from the Sahoe launching station.<ref>{{Cite web|title = DPRK announces successful launch of Kwangmyongsong-4 satellite - CCTV News - CCTV.com English|url = http://english.cntv.cn/2016/02/07/ARTI98lx135UGjmMIJwXw1FB160207.shtml|website = english.cntv.cn|access-date =}}</ref> Critics suggest that the real purpose of the launch was test a [[ballistic missile]]. The launch was strongly condemned by the [[United Nations Security Council|UN Security Council.]]<ref>{{Cite web|title = UN Security Council vows new sanctions after N Korea's rocket launch|url = http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-35518058|website = BBC News|access-date = 2016-02-07}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title = U.N. Security Council condemns North Korea launch - CNN.com|url = http://www.cnn.com/2016/02/07/asia/north-korea-rocket-launch-window/index.html|website = CNN|access-date =}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|title = North Korea rocket launch: UN security council condemns latest violation|url = https://www.theguardian.com/world/2016/feb/07/north-korea-launches-long-range-rocket-it-claims-is-carrying-a-satellite|newspaper = The Guardian|date = 2016-02-07|access-date = 2016-02-07|issn = 0261-3077|language = en-GB|first = Justin McCurry Damien|last = Gayle|last2 = agencies}}</ref> A statement broadcast on Korean Central Television said that a new Earth observation satellite, Kwangmyongsong-4, had successfully been put into orbit less than 10 minutes after lift-off from the Sohae space centre in North Phyongan province. North Korea's National Aerospace Development Administration stated the launch was "an epochal event in developing the country's science, technology, economy and defence capability by legitimately exercising the right to use space for independent and peaceful purposes".<ref>{{Cite web|title = North Korean rocket puts object into space, angers neighbours, U.S.|url = http://uk.reuters.com/article/uk-northkorea-satellite-idUKKCN0VG00L|website = Reuters UK|access-date =}}</ref> The launch prompted South Korea and the United States to discuss the possibility of placing an advanced missile defence system in South Korea,<ref>{{Cite web|title = China worried over US-South Korea plans to deploy THAAD missile system - The Economic Times|url = http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/defence/china-worried-over-us-south-korea-plans-to-deploy-thaad-missile-system/articleshow/50892130.cms|website = The Economic Times|access-date = }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title = Korea says THAAD 'helpful' to security|url = http://www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/news/nation/2016/01/205_196787.html|website = koreatimes|access-date =}}</ref> a move strongly opposed by both China and Russia.

On 7 February 2016, North Korea successfully launched a long-range rocket, carrying the satellite Kwangmyongsong-4, from the Sahoe launching station.<ref>{{Cite web|title = DPRK announces successful launch of Kwangmyongsong-4 satellite - CCTV News - CCTV.com English|url = http://english.cntv.cn/2016/02/07/ARTI98lx135UGjmMIJwXw1FB160207.shtml|website = english.cntv.cn|access-date =}}</ref> Critics suggest that the real purpose of the launch was test a [[ballistic missile]]. The launch was strongly condemned by the [[United Nations Security Council|UN Security Council.]]<ref>{{Cite web|title = UN Security Council vows new sanctions after N Korea's rocket launch|url = http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-35518058|website = BBC News|access-date = 2016-02-07}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title = U.N. Security Council condemns North Korea launch - CNN.com|url = https://www.cnn.com/2016/02/07/asia/north-korea-rocket-launch-window/index.html|website = CNN|access-date =}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|title = North Korea rocket launch: UN security council condemns latest violation|url = https://www.theguardian.com/world/2016/feb/07/north-korea-launches-long-range-rocket-it-claims-is-carrying-a-satellite|newspaper = The Guardian|date = 2016-02-07|access-date = 2016-02-07|issn = 0261-3077|language = en-GB|first = Justin McCurry Damien|last = Gayle|last2 = agencies}}</ref> A statement broadcast on Korean Central Television said that a new Earth observation satellite, Kwangmyongsong-4, had successfully been put into orbit less than 10 minutes after lift-off from the Sohae space centre in North Phyongan province. North Korea's National Aerospace Development Administration stated the launch was "an epochal event in developing the country's science, technology, economy and defence capability by legitimately exercising the right to use space for independent and peaceful purposes".<ref>{{Cite web|title = North Korean rocket puts object into space, angers neighbours, U.S.|url = http://uk.reuters.com/article/uk-northkorea-satellite-idUKKCN0VG00L|website = Reuters UK|access-date =}}</ref> The launch prompted South Korea and the United States to discuss the possibility of placing an advanced missile defence system in South Korea,<ref>{{Cite web|title = China worried over US-South Korea plans to deploy THAAD missile system - The Economic Times|url = http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/defence/china-worried-over-us-south-korea-plans-to-deploy-thaad-missile-system/articleshow/50892130.cms|website = The Economic Times|access-date = }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title = Korea says THAAD 'helpful' to security|url = http://www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/news/nation/2016/01/205_196787.html|website = koreatimes|access-date =}}</ref> a move strongly opposed by both China and Russia.

North Korea has fired a number of well-publicized intercontinental ballistic missiles since the beginning of the Trump presidency. Some were aimed at US territory, such as Guam, although they fell harmlessly into the ocean. A couple flew high over Japan.

North Korea has fired a number of well-publicized intercontinental ballistic missiles since the beginning of the Trump presidency. Some were aimed at US territory, such as Guam, although they fell harmlessly into the ocean. A couple flew high over Japan.