Chosŏn Minchu-chui Inmin Konghwa-guk

Political Status: Communist people’s republic established on September 9, 1948.

Area: 46,540 sq. mi. (120,538 sq. km).

Population: 24,835,112 (2012E—UN); 24,589,122 (2012E—U.S. Census).

Major Urban Centers (2008C): PYONGYANG (2,581,076 city; 3,255,388 urban area), Namhung (703,610), Chongjin (614,892).

Official Language: Korean.

Monetary Unit: North Korean Won (market rate November 5, 2012: 900 won = $1US). The currency was last revalued in 2009.

Chair of the National Defense Commission: KIM Jong Un; served as de facto head of state from the death of President KIM Jong Il on December 17, 2011, until election to a five-year term by the Supreme People’s Assembly on April 13, 2012.

President of the Presidium of the Supreme People’s Assembly: KIM Yong Nam; elected to the newly created office by the Supreme People’s Assembly on September ...