North Korea

B

Principal Cities

P’yǒngyang has a population of 3,228,000 (2003 estimate). Other major cities include Chongjin, with a population of 754,100 (2007 estimate), Namp’o, population 715,000 (2007 estimate), Sinŭiju, 326,011 (1993), Wǒnsan, 300,148 (1993), and Kaesǒng, 334,433 (1993).

C

Religion

Although religious freedom is guaranteed by the North Korean constitution, in actual practice religious activity is discouraged, and about two thirds of the people are declaredly non-religious. Perhaps the most prominent religious tradition belongs to the indigenous Ch’ondogyo (“Religion of the Heavenly Way”), which combines elements of Confucianism, Buddhism, and Daoism.

D

Language

Korean is the official language in Korea. The exact origins of the language are unknown, but some experts believe it to be related to Japanese (origins also unknown) and to be from the Altaic language family. Some of the dialects are so distinct as to be almost mutually unintelligible. A phonetic writing system known as Choson'gul (called Han’gul in South Korea) is used. Chinese is also spoken by a minority immigrant community.

E

Education

Eleven years of education are free and compulsory in North Korea. These include one year of pre-school education, four years of primary school, and six years of secondary school. In the late 1980s some 1.5 million pupils were enrolled annually in primary schools, and another 2.8 million students attended vocational and secondary schools. The principal institution of higher education is Kim Il Sung University (1946) in P’yǒngyang. Total enrolment in some 280 institutions of higher education exceeds 300,000. The literacy rate is estimated at about 99 per cent.

F

Culture

Cultural activity is aided and encouraged by the government. Historical museums and libraries are located in many of the larger counties. The government has also formed national symphony, theatre, and dance companies.