ngle list of
candidates who are elected without opposition; minor parties hold a few
seats
Communists:
KWP claims membership of about 3 million
Member of:
ESCAP, FAO, G-77, IAEA, ICAO, IFAD, IMF (observer), IMO, IOC, ISO, ITU,
LORCS, NAM, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO
Diplomatic representation:
none

:Korea, North Government

Flag:
three horizontal bands of blue (top), red (triple width), and blue; the red
band is edged in white; on the hoist side of the red band is a white disk
with a red five-pointed star

:Korea, North Economy

Overview:
More than 90% of this command economy is socialized; agricultural land is
collectivized; and state-owned industry produces 95% of manufactured goods.
State control of economic affairs is unusually tight even for a Communist
country because of the small size and homogeneity of the society and the
strict rule of KIM Il-song and his son, KIM Chong-il. Economic growth during
the period 1984-89 averaged 2-3%, but output declined by 2-4% annually
during 1990-91, largely because of disruptions in economic relations with
the USSR. Abundant natural resources and hydropower form the basis of
industrial development. Output of the extractive industries includes coal,
iron ore, magnesite, graphite, copper, zinc, lead, and precious metals.
Manufacturing is centered on heavy industry, with light industry lagging far
behind. Despite the use of improved seed varieties, expansion of irrigation,
and the heavy use of fertilizers, North Korea has not yet become
self-sufficient in food production. Four consecutive years of poor harvests,
coupled with distribution problems, have led to chronic food shortages.
North Korea remains far behind South Korea in economic development and
living standards.
GNP:
purchasing power equivalent - $23.3 billion, per capita $1,100; real growth
rate -2% (1991 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices):
NA%
Unemployment rate:
officially none
Budget:
revenues $17.3 billion; expenditures $17.7 billion, including capital
expenditures of $NA (1990)
Exports:
$2.02 billion (f.o.b., 1990)
commodities:
minerals, metallurgical products, agricultural products, manufactures
partners:
USSR, China, Japan, Hong Kong, Germany, Singapore
Imports:
$2.62 billion (f.o.b., 1990 est.)
commodities:
petr