North Korea

North Korea, country in East Asia. It occupies the northern portion of the Korean peninsula, which juts out from the Asian mainland between the East Sea (Sea of Japan) and the Yellow Sea; North Korea covers about 55 percent of the peninsula’s land area. The country is bordered by China and Russia to the north and by the Republic of Korea (South Korea) to the south. The national capital, P’yŏngyang, is a major industrial and transport centre near the west coast.

North Korea faces South Korea across a demilitarized zone (DMZ) 2.5 miles (4 km) wide that was established by the terms of the 1953 armistice that ended fighting in the Korean War (1950–53). The DMZ, which runs for about 150 miles (240 km), constitutes the 1953 military cease-fire line and roughly follows latitude 38° N (the 38th parallel) from the mouth of the Han River on the west coast of the Korean peninsula to a little south of the North Korean town of Kosŏng on the east coast.

Aspects of the topic North Korea are discussed in the following places at Britannica.

Articles from Britannica encyclopedias for elementary and high school students.

North Korea - Children's Encyclopedia (Ages 8-11)

The Korean peninsula is a block of land that sticks out from East Asia. The nation of North Korea sits on the northern half of the peninsula. South Korea covers the southern half. The people of North Korea and South Korea share a long history and a common language. However, the two Koreas have been enemies since the late 1940s. North Korea’s capital is Pyongyang.

North Korea - Student Encyclopedia (Ages 11 and up)

The country of North Korea occupies the northern part of the Korean peninsula, which juts out from the Asian mainland in the east. North Korea covers about 55 percent of the peninsula’s land area; South Korea covers the rest. The two Koreas were long united as a single nation, but since the mid-20th century they have been separated and have taken very different paths. While South Korea is a democracy, North Korea follows a communist system of government. Relations between the two countries have generally been hostile. The capital of North Korea is Pyongyang. Area 47,399 square miles (122,762 square kilometers). Population (2013 est.) 24,720,000.