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Updated: March 2009

North Korea

Overview | World Vision's history in North Korea | World Vision in North Korea today

Overview

The Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, more commonly known as North Korea, is located in East Asia 300 miles west of Japan. It is bordered by South Korea to the south and China to the north, and it shares 12 miles of border with the Russian Federation to its northeast. Korea Bay and the Yellow Sea lie to the west, while the Sea of Japan sits off the eastern border. The longest river in North Korea is the Amnok River, which flows for nearly 500 miles and forms much of the border with China. The territory is mostly mountainous, though there is a wide coastal plain in the west. The climate is temperate with rain falling primarily in the summer. Natural resources include coal, lead, zinc, iron ore, copper, gold, salt, and hydropower.

North Korea is one of the most ethnically homogenous countries in the world: nearly everyone is Korean and everyone speaks the Korean language. There are regions with Chinese, Japanese, Vietnamese, South Korean, and European communities, but their numbers are small. The Korean language is virtually the same on both the north and south sides of the peninsula, though in North Korea, the Kaesong and P’yongyang dialects are more widely spoken.

According to tradition, Korea’s earliest civilized settlement, known as Choson, was founded in 2333 B.C. Mongols ruled the peninsula, followed by the Japanese and then the Chinese in the 17th century. By the early 20th century, Korea was annexed by Japan, but nationalists continued to campaign for independence. After World War II, the Korean peninsula was divided into two at the 38th parallel—the Soviet Union controlled the northern half, and the United States managed the south. The separate countries of North and South Korea were officially established in 1948, with Kim Il Sung serving as president in the north. A surprise invasion of South Korea by northern military forces in June 1950 sparked the Korean War. Three years later, an armistice was signed ending the conflict; however, a formal peace treaty has never been signed, resulting in continued tension between the two nations.		North Korea map


North Korea flag 


Country statistics 
Population23.7 million
Land mass46,540 square miles
People per square mile509
Life expectancy72 years
Under age 5 mortality rate55/1,000
Literacy rate99%
Access to safe water100%
Average annual incomeUS$1,400


Religion
North Korea is traditionally Buddhist and Confucianist; there are some Christians and syncretic Ch’ndogyos. However, due to government policies, religious activities are currently almost nonexistent.
 
 
Kim Jong Il, son of Kim Il Sung, became president in 1994 upon his father’s death. Floods in 1995 and 1996 were followed by two years of drought, causing massive crop failures and leading to a famine that killed more than 1.5 million Koreans. In 1999, North Korea allowed the U.S. access to its nuclear program in exchange for food aid. Three years later, after intense inspections by U.S. experts, North Korea admitted that it had been developing nuclear bombs for several years. In 2006, the country launched seven missiles and tested a nuclear weapon, angering neighboring countries and much of the world. In early 2007, North Korea had agreed to dismantle their nuclear program in exchange for $400 million in oil. Most recently, North Korean actions suggest the nuclear program continues.

With a priority on enhancing national security, the government contributes 25 percent of the country’s budget for military purposes, contributing to a weakening of economic growth. Average annual income, more than $2,500 in 1990, has fallen to below $1,500 — the lowest rate in East Asia. The industrial sector, once prominent, is now operating at only a small fraction of capacity because of a lack of fuel and useful machinery.

Due to the weak economy since the collapse of communism in the Soviet Union, there has been little investment in the health-care system over the past 15 years. Most hospitals lack medical supplies and access to safe blood for transfusions. The nation’s energy system is inconsistent, making normal hospital operations difficult—especially during the harsh winters. As a result of North Korea’s relative isolation from the rest of the world, most health standards are outdated. Health-care providers have limited informational resources on modern trends and best practices in medicine.

Many people, particularly the poor, are at risk because of the poor quality of health care. Severe malnutrition has affected 37 percent of children under the age of 5. Infant mortality is more than four percent—eight times higher—than South Korea and Japan. Twenty percent of children under the age of 2 suffer from diarrheal diseases caused by polluted water. Despite the country’s reports that everyone has access to safe water, there are several rural villages that do not. Poor hygiene, acute respiratory infections and malnutrition are responsible for the majority of childhood illnesses and deaths in North Korea.

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World Vision’s history in North Korea

World Vision’s founder, Dr. Bob Pierce, visited China and North Korea in 1949. Stunned by the poverty and physical suffering of the people there, particularly the children, he vowed to bring their needs to the attention of others. A year later, he launched World Vision. While operations have existed in South Korea since the beginning of the organization, efforts in North Korea began in 1995 in response to the government’s request for humanitarian assistance. Over the course of two years, World Vision provided $5.5 million worth of food, medicines, and clothing to children and families. After intense flooding, work expanded in 1998 to include recovery of agriculture and health systems.

To enable North Koreans to build sustainable systems and resources, World Vision implemented projects focusing on agriculture, health care, and food production. Those projects included:
  • The Noodle Factory Project, which began operations in 1996 after a factory construction, was built to provide critically needed food for children and the elderly. World Vision supplied a noodle machine, flour, and cornstarch as well as donated trucks for delivering the noodles. Eventually six factories were opened and produced 300 metric tons of noodles each month. This provided one meal a day for 60,000 people in designated nurseries, orphanages, kindergartens, boarding schools, elder-care facilities, and hospitals.
  • The Child Health and Welfare Project worked to improve overall health care and the health status of children and families in Kaechun city. World Vision helped update the existing hospital and provided a wide range of medical supplies, including medicines, vitamins, blankets, stethoscopes, syringes, surgical gloves, and wheelchairs.
  • An emergency relief project was initiated in June 1998 in response to another plea from North Korea’s government for humanitarian assistance. World Vision began sending food aid on a regular basis in May 2003. In April 2004, World Vision promptly responded to residents affected by a cargo train carrying volatile chemicals that exploded at the Ryongchon station. More than 160 people (including 67 children) were killed, and 1,300 were wounded in the explosion. Approximately 1,800 homes were destroyed, and 8,000 people were left homeless. World Vision provided relief items such as blankets, clothes, shoes, flour, vegetable oil, and bottled water.
  • The Hydroponics Project increased both the capacity and amount of vegetable production (up to three times higher than conventional farming methods) by growing the vegetables in a greenhouse. World Vision provided materials to build hydroponic facilities and the expertise to develop the project. Crops included cucumbers, tomatoes, melons, and other vegetables. During the winter of 1999/2000, hydroponic farming became the only major source of vegetables for people in the P’yongyang area. Produce from the project was distributed to nurseries, hospitals, and schools.


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World Vision in North Korea today

World Vision is committed to partnering with the people of North Korea to enhance their lives today and to help enact sustainable solutions for the future of their communities, families, and children. Though there is no child sponsorship program, World Vision does operate 11 development projects, one of which is supported by U.S. donors.
  • The Potable Water Project, located in the village of Doch-ri in the southern region of the country, provides safe water resources for more than 2,500 people. This project includes the construction of water systems in seven locations in the village, as well as furnishing latrines to a local health clinic. Community members help with water tank construction, pipe installation, and the protection of source springs. Training programs educate schoolchildren, patients, and pregnant mothers about safe water and sanitation practices. The project is expected to eventually expand beyond Doch-ri into other areas of the North Hwanghae Province.
For more information on World Vision’s programs in North Korea, please contact the United States office.

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