Training
The school in North Korea is free of charge.
The compulsory school obligation from 2013 is gradually
being increased from eleven to twelve years. A one-year
preschool for five-year-olds must be followed by a first
five-year stage and then two three-year stages. In the
two higher stages, English is compulsory as a second
language.
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Allcitypopulation: Offers a list of biggest cities in the state of North
Korea, including the capital city which hosts major colleges and
universities.
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COUNTRYAAH:
Country facts of North Korea, including geography profile, population statistics, and business data.
2017
December
US sanctions against individuals
December 26
The United States introduces new sanctions on North Korea, shortly after the
UN also tightened its sanctions. This time, the United States is targeting two
men who are said to have key positions in North Korea's robotics program: Kim
Jong-Sik and Ri Pyong-Chol. The sanctions will freeze any assets they have in
the United States. The two men often figure in pictures together with Kim
Jong-Un in connection with robotic launches.
New UN sanctions
December 22
The Security Council voted unanimously for new sanctions, following the robot
launch in late November. The sanctions mean that oil supplies to North Korea
will be further limited by up to 90 percent. Furthermore, the inflow of foreign
currency is being suppressed, with tens of thousands of North Korean workers,
mainly China and Russia, having to return home within 24 months. According to
the UN, their wages go to the regime; The United States behind the resolution,
they operate under slave-like conditions. Penalties are also imposed against 16
officials, mainly within the banking system, who receive frozen assets and visa
bans. The resolution also prohibits North Korea from exporting machinery and
electrical equipment. A few days later, North Korea calls the resolution an "act
of war" and threatens retaliation against those who supported the decision.
Japan faces new sanctions on North Korea
December 15
The Japanese government is exerting additional pressure on North Korea to
stop the development of nuclear weapons. Assets in the country belonging to some
20 people and companies with ties to North Korea are frozen. These are transport
companies, banks and companies that trade in coal and minerals.
North Korea promises regular contacts with the UN
December 9
For the first time in seven years, North Korea receives a visit from one of
the UN's top executives. Jeffrey Feltman heads the Department of Political
Affairs and visits North Korea for five days with the goal of trying to curb the
crisis surrounding the country's nuclear weapons program. During the meeting,
Pyongyang promises to maintain relations with the UN "through regular meetings
at various levels".
49 countries have violated North Korea sanctions
December 7
According to the Institute for Science and International Security, a think
tank in Washington DC, 49 countries to varying degrees and in various ways
violated the UN sanctions against North Korea between March 2014 and September
2017. Among the countries include China, Germany, Brazil, India and France. A
dozen countries, including Cuba, Iran, Myanmar and Syria, are said to have
participated in some form of military exchange with North Korea. North Korean
vessels have been helped by some 20 countries to sail under their flag.
November
Missiles can reach the United States
November 29th
North Korea carries out a new test of an intercontinental ballistic missile
(ICBM), a so-called Hwasong-15. The robot reaches higher than any of the
previously tested, before it crashes into the Japanese sea. After the trial,
state television announces that the country has achieved its goal of becoming a
nuclear weapons state and that it can now hit the American mainland with its
missiles.
October
Kim Jong-Un's sister gets a high post
October 9
Kim Yo-Jong will take his place of office in the Communist Party's highest
decision-making body, the Politburo. Kim Jong-Un announces his decision on the
sister's promotion at a party meeting. Kim Yo-Jong already has important duties
in the country's leadership, including as deputy head of the Ministry of
Propaganda.
September
Kim Jong-Un calls Trump crazy
September 22
For the first time, North Korea's leaders are addressing an international
audience. The North Korean leader says in the speech conveyed via state media
that the US president will "pay a high price" for his statements to the UN
General Assembly the other day. Trump then warned North Korean leader Kim
Jong-Un, whom he called "Rocket Man," that North Korea could be "totally
destroyed" if the provocations continue.
New missile over Japan
September 15th
Pyongyang fires yet another ballistic medium-range robot (IRBM) that lands in
the Pacific after passing over Japan. The Japanese government strongly protests
against the missile test.
New harsh UN sanctions
September 12
The measures are introduced as a penalty for Pyongyang's sixth nuclear test
and mean that North Korea's oil imports are restricted, textile exports are
banned and new visas stopped for North Koreans who want to work abroad. The US
had proposed that the sanctions would completely prevent North Korea's oil
imports, which are mainly from China, but the Security Council members could not
agree on this. Nor did a proposal to freeze Kim Jong-Un's assets abroad and
travel bans go through.
Test of suspected hydrogen bomb
September 3
North Korea states that it has completed its sixth nuclear test. According to
the regime, it is a hydrogen bomb that can fit into a missile capable of
reaching the mainland of the United States, which, however, cannot be confirmed
by experts around the world. The sample is detected when a powerful earthquake
is registered in North Korea. The nuclear charge is North Korea's strongest so
far and, according to later estimates, can be as large as 250 kilotons, 16 times
larger than the bomb against Hiroshima.
August
Missile over northern Japan
August 29th
North Korea tests fire another missile, which travels over the island of
Hokkaido in Japan before crashing into the sea. The reactions will be severe in
Japan, where a nationwide crisis alarm is issued. The missile is believed to be
the newly developed Hwasong-12, a medium-range robot, which experts say is
capable of carrying a nuclear warhead. The missile test is seen as a reaction to
the US and Japan having just held a joint military exercise in Hokkaido. In
response to the missile test, South Korea is carrying out a bombing exercise
with four fighter aircraft.
The United States faces new sanctions
22 August
New with the sanctions is that they not only target North Korea, but
increasingly hit companies and individuals in other countries. 10 companies and
six individuals in China and Russia are identified as having supported North
Korea's nuclear weapons and missile programs, despite UN sanctions prohibiting
such support. Companies that focus on hiring North Korean workers to other
countries are also affected by the new sanctions.
Threats to attack Guam
9th of August
North Korea states that it is investigating the possibility of attacking the
US military base Guam in the Pacific. The message comes after US President
Donald Trump said that North Korea "will face fire and fury that the world has
never seen" if the country does not stop threatening the United States. Trump
responded to reports that North Korea can now reach the US mainland with nuclear
weapons.
Nuclear weapons can be produced in miniature format
August 8th
North Korea is said to have succeeded in building a nuclear warhead that is
small enough to fit the country's rockets. The country has thus reached the goal
of having intercontinental ballistic robots capable of reaching the US mainland.
The information comes from the US intelligence agency Defense Intelligence
Agency.
No to conversation with Syd
August 7th
North Korea says no to a proposal from South Korea on joint talks aimed at
reducing tensions between the countries and discussing a new round of reunions
of divided families.
The United States does not want to dismiss the regime
August 6th
US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson announces that there are no plans to
overthrow the regime in Pyongyang and that the US leadership is willing to talk
to North Korea's leaders. North Korea, however, excludes negotiations on the
nuclear program and also condemns the recent UN sanctions.
New sanctions
5 August
The UN Security Council unanimously adopts sanctions on North Korea, which
prohibits countries from importing coal, iron and iron ore and lead from the
country. Nor can North Korea send more citizens abroad to work and send home
money. Several regime representatives and companies are also subject to travel
bans and freezing of assets in foreign banks. North Korea is projected to lose
over a third of its export revenue due to the sanctions. The United States began
negotiations with China on new sanctions against Pyongyang in early July after
North Korea conducted its first test of an intercontinental missile (see
July 2017).
July
New robot test raises new protests
July 28
North Korea launches its second intercontinental robot in less than a month.
The robot crashes into the water in Japan's economic zone. Kim Jong-Un calls it
a "powerful warning" directed at the United States and says that the entire
United States can now be reached. From the United States, President Trump is
tweeting condemnations of China for keeping the North Koreans, and new military
planes over the Korean Peninsula are following. Trump and Japan's Prime Minister
Shinzo Abe say in a joint statement after a few days that the robotics program
is a growing threat. The economic and diplomatic pressure on North Korea should
increase, it says. But the United States does not request a meeting of the UN
Security Council, as it would not "lead to consequences," says UN Ambassador
Nikki Haley.
The United States prohibits nationals from traveling to North Korea
July 21st
The US State Department confirms information that a travel ban for all US
citizens to North Korea will be imposed, following Otto Warmbier's death in
June.
North Korea fires long-range robot
July 4th
North Korea launches a ballistic intercontinental long-range robot, which
crashes into the Japanese sea. It is unclear whether or not the robot will land
in Japan's economic zone. The US confirms that it is a robot that could probably
reach the American mainland. South Korea and the US respond by firing robots
during a joint military exercise, while Russia and China jointly propose that
North Korea discontinue its nuclear weapons program at the same time as the US
and South Korea cease their joint military exercises.
June
Tensions are rising after the death of America
21 June
A China-based travel company that organizes trips for foreigners to North
Korea announces that it no longer takes bookings from US citizens. The reason is
that one of the company's travelers, the American student Otto Warmbier, was
first jailed for having taken a North Korean propaganda flag and then passed
away after he was handed over to the United States in a state of coma. The
ambiguities surrounding Warmbier's fate strain the already chilly relations
between the United States and North Korea.
The UN extends sanctions
June 2
The UN Security Council further extends sanctions against North Korea after
negotiations for several weeks between the US and China. Targeted sanctions are
imposed on 14 high-ranking people, including an intelligence chief. They get
their assets in banks abroad frozen and are also subject to international travel
bans. Also, a bank with links to Kim Jong-Un, two trading companies and the
strategic military department responsible for missile capabilities is included
in the sanctions.
May
New missile test
May 29th
North Korea fires yet another missile landing in sea areas near Japan. It is
the third missile test within three weeks and the twelfth since January.
Missile launch
May 14
North Korea is conducting another missile test, which is seen as a mark
against the South Korean neighboring state where Moon Jae-In was elected new
president. The missile reaches over 70 miles before descending into the Japanese
sea. According to North Korea, this was a new type of missile (Hwasong-12)
capable of carrying a heavier nuclear warhead. The UN Security Council
unanimously condemned the shootout of North Korea.
April
The United States clarifies North Korea's strategy
April 27
Despite recent tensions in the Korean Peninsula and the fierce rhetoric
between North Korea and the United States, US leadership states that diplomacy
and additional sanctions will be used and avoid military action against North
Korea. The goal is to put pressure on Pyongyang to ensure that North Korea can
again be piloted into a dialogue on the nuclear weapons program.
Preventive attack on the United States
April 24
After the US nuclear-armed submarine USS Michigan arrives in South Korea to
participate in military exercises, the government of North Korea reacts
strongly. It is said to be ready to lower the submarine and an American aircraft
carrier to participate in the exercises. A preventive attack on the United
States or other measures to defend against "US imperialists" is also not ruled
out.
North Korea holds military exercise
April 25
According to government spokesmen, the military exercise is "the greatest
ever". It is held to celebrate the formation of the army 85 years ago and takes
place in the area around the city of Wonsan on the east coast.
China-US cooperation
April 18
Both major powers work closely to deal with the increasingly tense situation
of North Korea and its nuclear weapons, US Defense Secretary Jim Mattis said.
"Missile test every week"
April 18
North Korea threatens to test missiles once a week in the future. The
statement is perceived as a reaction to US Vice President Mike Pence visiting
Japan.
North Korea is warned
April 17
Vice President Mike Pence warns during a visit to South Korea that the United
States "does not exclude anything" about North Korea. President Trump may use
military force, Pence says, referring to recent attacks in Syria and
Afghanistan.
New missile test
April 16
A failed test of a missile is conducted the day after the solemnization of
Immortal Father Kim Il Sung's 105th birthday. The failed test is believed to
have been a completely new robot.
New weapons appear at parade
April 15
A parade was held to commemorate Kim Il Sung's 105th birthday. During the
parade, North Korea's weapons arsenal were displayed. This also included what
perceived by assessors as new long-range robots.
March
The quarrel with Malaysia over
March 30
Kim Jong-Un's murdered half-brother's body (see February 2017)
will be sent from Malaysia to Pyongyang. At the same time, North Korea and
Malaysia lift the travel bans imposed on nationals of the other country. North
Koreans barred from leaving Malaysia are now allowed to leave the country, and
the same applies to Malaysians detained in North Korea.
New criticism from the UN
March 23rd
The UN Security Council condemns the latest tests of missiles carried out by
North Korea in March.
The United States wants to change its strategy
March 17
At a press conference in Seoul, South Korea, US Secretary of State Rex
Tillerson said that "all means" could be used to get North Korea back on the
nuclear issue. The day before, during a visit to Japan, Tillerson announced that
it was time to find a new strategy to meet the threat from North Korea.
The Security Council condemns missile tests
March 8th
The UN Security Council strongly criticizes North Korea for the new missile
launches. The resolution is supported by all members of the Council. North Korea
has stated that the missiles were part of a military exercise before being able
to attack US military bases in Japan. China's Foreign Minister Wang Yi proposes
that Pyongyang cease missile testing and nuclear tests in exchange for the US
and South Korea stopping the annual joint military exercises.
New missile tests
6 March
North Korea launches four missiles landing in the sea, three of them on
Japanese water. Japan's Prime Minister Shinzo Abe reacts strongly, warning of
the threat from North Korea, while the US condemns missile tests. A few days
earlier, the US and South Korea began joint annual military exercises. These
tend to cause tensions on the Korean peninsula every year.
Malaysia expels North Korea's ambassador
March 5th
The expulsion takes place as part of the diplomatic quarrel between Malaysia
and North Korea following the assassination of Kim Jong-Nam. Evidence has shown
that he was murdered with nerve gas, which is classified as a weapon of mass
destruction, at Kuala Lumpur Airport. Two women have been charged with the
murder. One day later, the state-run North Korean news agency KCNA announced
that all Malaysian citizens of North Korea would be stopped from leaving the
country until the conflict was resolved. Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak
responds by banning outbound travel for all North Koreans in Malaysia.
Suspected North Korea is released
March 3rd
The 46-year-old North Korea arrested in connection with the assassination of
Kim Jong-Nam in Malaysia is released "for lack of evidence" and deported to
North Korea.
Two are charged with the murder of Kim Jong-Nam
March 1st
A 25-year-old Indonesian woman and a 28-year-old woman from Vietnam are being
prosecuted in a court in Malaysia's capital Kuala Lumpur for the murder of Kim
Jong-Nam.
February
Malaysia takes home its ambassador
February 20th
A quarrel has arisen between North Korea's leadership, which wants to house
Kim Jong-Nam's body, and the Malaysian government that wants to do a forensic
examination of the body. From the North Korean perspective, it is argued that an
autopsy must not be carried out without the government's permission. But the
Malaysian government does not intend to take this into account.
China stops coal imports from North Korea
February 18
Beijing announces that imports will be suspended until the end of the year.
For North Korea, coal exports to China play an important role. According to
unconfirmed sources, about 90 percent of North Korea's trade is to be made with
China, and about 40 percent of it is coal and minerals. The coal trade has been
estimated to have a value equivalent to about 5 percent of the gross domestic
product. According to analysts, there may be various reasons why Beijing chooses
to punish North Korea: North Korea's latest missile test (see 11/2) annoyance
over the assassination of Kim Jong-Nam (see 14/2) who had strong ties to China
and lived in Macau or a ways to improve relations with the new US leadership
under President Donald Trump. China has been criticized for being careless in
checking that UN sanctions against North Korea are upheld by Chinese companies.
North Korea arrested in Malaysia
February 18
The 46-year-old man from North Korea is suspected of the murder of Kim
Jong-Nam. Another three people, one woman from Indonesia and one from Vietnam,
as well as a Malaysian man have previously been arrested by police. A couple of
them have probably been tricked and thought it was all a joke in a TV show. Kim
Jong-Nam is believed to have died from a poisonous liquid he received on his
face.
Kim Jong-un's half brother killed
February 14th
According to South Korean government sources, North Korean leader's
half-brother Kim Jong-Nam is said to have been murdered. According to TV channel
TV Chousn, he is said to have been killed at the airport in Malaysia by two
female spies. Malaysian police are reported to suspect that North Korea is
behind the murder.
The Security Council condemns the missile test
February 14th
US President Donald Trump promises a powerful response.
New missile launches
February 12
It is reported to be a new type of medium- to long-range missile capable of
carrying nuclear weapons. According to South Korea's defense minister, it was a
provocation to test how US new president Donald Trump would react.
Spy boss is kicked
February 3
According to South Korean government sources, the Minister of State Security
has had to step down due to abuse of power. At the same time, several officials
at the security authority must also have been executed. The Minister of Security
must have been a driving force in the arrest and execution of Kim Jong-Un's
uncle Jang Song-Thaek (see Current policy).
The US threatens North Korea
February 3
New US Secretary of Defense James Mattis says a nuclear test carried out by
North Korea will meet "effectively and overwhelmingly".
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