Administrative divisions: 9 provinces (do, singular and plural)
and 3 special cities* (si, singular and plural); Chagang-do (Chagang
Province), Hamgyong-bukto (North Hamgyong Province), Hamgyong-namdo
(South Hamgyong Province), Hwanghae-bukto (North Hwanghae Province),
Hwanghae-namdo (South Hwanghae Province), Kaesong-si* (Kaesong
City), Kangwon-do (Kangwon Province), Namp'o-si* (Namp'o City),
P'yongan-bukto (North P'yongan Province), P'yongan-namdo (South
P'yongan Province), P'yongyang-si* (P'yongyang City), Yanggang-do
(Yanggang Province)
Independence: 9 September 1948, Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) Foundation Day note: 15 August 1945, date of independence from the Japanese and celebrated in North Korea as National Liberation Day
National holiday: Foundation Day, 9 September (1948)
Constitution: adopted 1948, completely revised 27 December 1972, revised again in April 1992 and September 1998
Legal system: based on German civil law system with Japanese influences and Communist legal theory; no judicial review of legislative acts; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction
Suffrage: 17 years of age; universal
Executive branch:
chief of state: KIM Chong-il; note—in September 1998, KIM Chong-il
was reelected Chairman of the National Defense Commission, a
position accorded the nation's "highest administrative authority";
KIM Young-nam was named President of the Supreme People's Assembly
Presidium and given the responsibility of representing the state and
receiving diplomatic credentials
head of government: Premier HONG Song-nam (since 5 September 1998)
cabinet: renamed DPRK Cabinet (naegak) on 5 September 1998; was
previously called the State Administrative Council; Cabinet members,
except for the Minister of People's Armed Forces, are appointed by
the Supreme People's Assembly
elections: premier elected by the Supreme People's Assembly
election results: NA
Legislative branch: unicameral Supreme People's Assembly or
Ch'oego Inmin Hoeui (687 seats; members elected by popular vote to
serve five-year terms)
elections: last held 26 July 1998 (next to be held NA)
election results: percent of vote by party—NA; seats by party—the
KWP approves a single list of candidates who are elected without
opposition; minor parties hold a few seats
Judicial branch: Central Court, judges are elected by the Supreme
People's Assembly
Political parties and leaders: major party—Korean Workers' Party
chairwoman]