North Korea is situated in the northern part of the Korean Peninsula, spanning latitudes 37° to 43°N and longitudes 124° to 131°E. Covering an area of 120,540 square kilometers (46,541 sq mi), it is bordered by the Yellow Sea and Korea Bay to the west, while Japan lies across the Sea of Japan to the east.
The landscape is predominantly mountainous, with around 80 percent of the terrain consisting of mountains and uplands interspersed with deep, narrow valleys. The country's highest peak is Paektu Mountain, a volcanic summit reaching 2,744 meters (9,003 ft) above sea level. This mountain holds cultural and symbolic importance for North Koreans, featuring prominently in national folklore and in the political narratives surrounding the Kim family. Other significant mountain ranges include the Hamgyong Range in the northeast and the Rangrim Mountains in the north-central region. Mount Kumgang, part of the Taebaek Range, is renowned for its natural beauty.
The western coastal plains are relatively extensive, whereas the eastern coastline features more fragmented lowlands. Most of North Korea's population resides in these plains and lowlands. According to a United Nations Environmental Programme report, forested areas cover over 70 percent of the country, primarily on steep slopes. In 2019, North Korea attained a Forest Landscape Integrity Index score of 8.02 out of 10, ranking 28th globally. The longest river in the country is the Amnok (Yalu) River, stretching 790 kilometers (491 mi). North Korea's diverse ecosystems include the Central Korean deciduous forests, Changbai Mountains mixed forests, and Manchurian mixed forests.
North Korea has a humid continental climate, classified under the Köppen climate system. Winters are typically clear but can bring snowstorms due to cold winds from Siberia. Summers are the hottest and most humid season, with heavy rainfall driven by monsoon winds from the south and southeast. Most of the country's annual precipitation—about 60 percent—falls between June and September. Spring and autumn serve as transitional periods, bringing milder conditions. In Pyongyang, the average daily high and low temperatures range from −3 °C (27 °F) to −13 °C (9 °F) in January, and from 29 °C (84 °F) to 20 °C (68 °F) in August.
North Korea operates as a centralized, one-party state under the leadership of the Workers' Party of Korea (WPK). Officially described as a revolutionary and socialist nation, its governance is guided by the ideology of Kimilsungism–Kimjongilism. The country's political framework includes the Ten Principles for the Establishment of a Monolithic Ideological System, which dictates governance standards and citizen behavior.
Kim Jong Un currently holds the title of Supreme Leader, leading all major state institutions. His grandfather, Kim Il Sung, remains the country's "eternal President," while his father, Kim Jong Il, holds posthumous titles such as "Eternal General Secretary." The government is structured into three main branches: the State Affairs Commission (SAC), the Supreme People's Assembly (SPA), and the Cabinet.
The SAC, under Kim Jong Un's leadership, oversees national defense and policy decisions. The SPA, North Korea's legislative body, consists of 687 members elected every five years, though outside observers describe the elections as lacking genuine competition. The Cabinet, led by Premier Pak Thae-song since December 2024, manages the country's administrative functions.
Despite its formal name as the "Democratic People's Republic of Korea," some analysts describe North Korea's system as a hereditary or Stalinist dictatorship. The country claims sovereignty over the entire Korean Peninsula, maintaining its stance in long-standing territorial and political disputes.