The official name of South Korea is the Republic of Korea (ROK). That is because its government claims to be in charge of the whole of Korea and does not recognize North Korea as separate.
The Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK or North Korea) is an authoritarian state led by the Kim family for 70 years. Shortly after Kim Jong Il's death in late 2011, his son Kim Jong Un was named marshal of the DPRK and supreme commander of the Korean People's Army.
In the North the Koreans refer to their country as Joseon, named after the Joseon Dynasty – the last dynasty to rule the country before the Japanese occupation. In the current North Korean romanization of Korean, Joseon is spelt 'Choson', giving the country the official title of Chosŏn Minjujuŭi Inmin Konghwaguk.
The name Korea is an exonym, derived from Goryeo or Koryŏ. Both North Korea and South Korea use the name in English. However, in the Korean language, the two Koreas use different terms to refer to the nominally unified nation: Joseon (조선, 朝鮮) in North Korea and Hanguk (한국, 韓國) in South Korea.
Gojong assumed the title of emperor in order to assert Korea's independence. He tried to promote the Gwangmu Reform, but failed because of opposition from the general populace and the Japanese. Technically, 1897 marks the end of the Joseon period, as the official name of the empire was changed.
Foreigners can enter North Korea either by air or by train. It is not possible to enter North Korea from South Korea or to enter South Korea from North Korea. Even if you meet all entry requirements, you may be arbitrarily arrested and/or detained at your point of entry.
Freedom of movement
North Korean citizens usually cannot freely travel around the country, let alone travel abroad. Emigration and immigration are strictly controlled.
To avoid civil war, both Korea and Vietnam split in half, with pro-communists organizing a government in the North and anti-communists organizing a government in the South.
Japan invaded/colonized Korea because it was part of Japan's imperialist goals. Since Japan ended its seclusion policy and established diplomatic relationships with the Great Powers, there had always been a possibility that Japan would be invaded and colonized.
Although the war ended where it began, the United States and its allies did succeed in preventing communism from overtaking South Korea.
Finally, on 27 July 1953, an armistice was signed agreeing that Korea would remain a divided country. The armistice was signed by officials from the United States, the People's Republic of China, North Korea and South Korea.
Women in North Korea, just like men, are severely restricted in everyday life: freedom of speech, freedom of movement and similar rights are tightly controlled by the state.
North Korean mobile phones use a digital signature system to prevent access to unsanctioned files, and log usage information that can be physically inspected.
In South Korea, the legal age of marriage is 18 years with no exceptions. Under Article 807 of the Civil Code 2011 the minimum legal age of marriage is 18 years.
If despite our advice, you travel to North Korea, you'll need a visa for all types of travel. North Korea doesn't have an embassy or consulate in Australia. This means you need to travel to another country, such as China, to get your visa.
More than 33,000 people have defected from North Korea to South Korea since 1998, CNN reported in 2022, citing the Ministry of Unification. Several defectors have become globally famous, such as Ji Seong-ho, a double amputee who became a politician in Seoul after escaping the North.
Which countries cannot visit North Korea? The only country that North Korea restricts visitors from is South Korea (the Republic of Korea), whose citizens need special permission (from both governments).
In April 2016, North Korea began to block Facebook, YouTube, Twitter and South Korean websites, due to "its concern with the spread of online information".
Pyeonghwa Motors products are sold under the names Hwiparam, Bbeokgugi (Peokkugi) and Zunma: small and luxury cars, minivans, SUVs and pick-up trucks under license. Pyeonghwa has the exclusive rights to production, purchase, and sale of used cars in North Korea. Most North Koreans are unable to own cars.
Contrary to popular belief, taking photos in North Korea is allowed and you'll have plenty of opportunities during your tour with us. Photography freedom is less restrictive than most travellers expect. However, there are photography guidelines that must strictly be followed by all visitors to North Korea.
While it may sound like a violation of human rights by many across the globe, citizens of that country apparently have no problem heeding such laws. Getting a condom is next to impossible because the country has banned all sorts of birth control measures.
According to one Korean American scholar who visited North Korea in the early 1980s, the country has no birth control policies; parents are encouraged to have as many as six children. The state provides tagaso (nurseries) to lessen the burden of childrearing for parents and offers a 77-day paid leave after childbirth.
North Korea ratified the Convention on the Rights of the Child in 1990, which sets a minimum age of marriage of 18, and acceded the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW) in 2001, which obligates states to ensure free and full consent to marriage.
Unified Silla lasted for 267 years until falling to Goryeo, under the leadership King Gyeongsun, in 935. Joseon, born out of the collapsed Goryeo in 1392, also ruled the entire peninsula, that rule lasting until Japan annexed Korea in 1910.
South Korea is famous for K-pop, delicious Korean foods, ancient temples, and dynamic festivals. South Korea is famous for K-pop, delicious Korean foods, ancient temples, and dynamic festivals. South Korea is an eastern Asian country.