North Korea

C

Natural Resources

North Korea is one of the richer nations in Asia in terms of mineral resources. Major reserves are found of coal, iron ore, tungsten, magnesite, and graphite. Among the other minerals present are gold, silver, copper, lead, zinc, and molybdenum.

D

Plants and Animals

Extensive coniferous forests are found in the country’s mountainous interior. Predominant species include spruce, pine, larch, fir, and cedar. The lowland areas of the west have been deforested and are under cultivation. Because of deforestation, large indigenous mammals of North Korea, which include leopards, tigers, deer, bears, and wolves, are becoming increasingly rare, and are confined to remote forested regions. Bird life includes crane, heron, eagle, and snipe.

E

Environmental Concerns

North Korea is diplomatically and politically isolated from most of the world, making it difficult to accurately assess the health of the country's environment. North Korea does not produce enough food to be self-sufficient and relies upon agricultural imports to feed its population. Of the country's land, 14 per cent (1997) is arable, and 12 per cent (1997) is irrigated. Severe flooding during 1995 and poor growing conditions in subsequent years have led to serious food shortages. A joint study by UNICEF and the European Union (EU) in 1998 found that 62 per cent of North Korean children have stunted growth, a symptom of chronic malnutrition. The United States, the EU, South Korea, and international aid organizations have initiated large-scale relief efforts to ease the famine.

In 1993 the United Nations (UN) recognized two protected areas in North Korea, although only 2.6 per cent (1997) of the country's land area is officially protected. Many plant and animal species inhabit a heavily militarized area at the border between North and South Korea. An unknown number of land mines have been buried along North Korea's borders, threatening the country's human and animal populations. Forests cover 51 per cent (1995) of the country. Since the 1970s, it has been government policy to replant logged forests.

North Korea has ratified international agreements protecting biodiversity and the ozone layer. The country has also signed treaties limiting marine pollution, chemical and biological weapons, and whaling.

III

Population

North Korea is one of the most ethnically homogeneous countries in the world, like South Korea, with no racial or linguistic minorities other than a small resident foreign (mainly Chinese) population. The dominant stock is of the Tungusic branch of the Mongol races. Koreans are essentially Mongoloid, but taller on average than Mongols, with lighter skin.

A

Population Characteristics

North Korea has a population of 23,479,089 (2008 estimate). The average population density is 195 people per sq km (505 per sq mi). The population, however, is very unevenly distributed and is largely concentrated in the lowland plains of the west. Life expectancy at birth (2008) is 70 years for men and 75 years for women. Urbanization of the North Korean population has progressed rapidly since the 1950s; approximately 62 per cent of the total population of North Korea is now classified as urban.