Military branches:
Korean People's Army (includes Army, Navy, Air Force), Civil
Security Forces
Military manpower - military age and obligation:
17 years of age (2004 est.)
Military manpower - availability:
males age 15-49: 6,181,038 (2004 est.)
Military manpower - fit for military service:
males age 15-49: 3,694,855 (2004 est.)
Military manpower - reaching military age annually:
males: 189,014 (2004 est.)
Military expenditures - dollar figure:
$5,217.4 million (FY02)
Military expenditures - percent of GDP:
22.9% (2003)
Transnational Issues Korea, North
Disputes - international:
with China, certain islands in Yalu and Tumen rivers are in
uncontested dispute; a section of boundary around Paektu-san
(mountain) is indefinite; China has been attempting to stop mass
illegal migration of North Koreans escaping famine, economic
privation, and oppression into northern China; Military Demarcation
Line within the 4-km wide Demilitarized Zone has separated North
from South Korea since 1953; periodic maritime disputes with South
Korea
Refugees and internally displaced persons:
IDPs: 50,000-250,000 (government repression and famine) (2004)