Location of North Korea
North Korea is a country in East Asia , in the northern part of the Korean Peninsula . It claims sovereignty over South Korea . Over time North Korea has gradually distanced itself away from the world communist movement. Juche , an ideology of national self-reliance , was introduced into the constitution as a "creative application of Marxism–Leninism " in 1972.[ 2] The means of production are owned by the state through state-run enterprises and collectivized farms . Most services such as healthcare, housing, and food production are subsidized or state-funded. From 1994 to 1998, North Korea suffered from a famine that resulted in the deaths of between 0.24 and 3.5 million people, and the country continues to struggle with food production.[ 5] North Korea follows Songun , or "military-first" policy.[ 6] It is the country with the highest number of military and paramilitary personnel , with a total of 9,495,000 active, reserve, and paramilitary personnel. Its active duty army of 1.21 million is the fourth largest in the world, after China, the United States, and India .[ 7]
Due to the command economy of North Korea , there are relatively few companies in North Korea and they are all managed by the government .
Notable firms
This list includes notable companies with primary headquarters located in the country. The industry and sector follow the Industry Classification Benchmark taxonomy. Organizations which have ceased operations are included and noted as defunct.
Notable companies
Status: P=Private, S=State; A=Active, D=Defunct
Name
Industry
Sector
Headquarters
Founded
Notes
Status
Air Koryo
Consumer services
Airlines
Pyongyang
1950
Flag airline
S
A
Central Bank of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea
Financials
Banks
Pyongyang
1959
Central bank
S
A
Foreign Languages Publishing House
Consumer services
Publishing
Pyongyang
1949
Publishing
S
A
Foreign Trade Bank of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea
Financials
Banks
Pyongyang
2005
Bank
S
A
Kim Chong-t'ae Electric Locomotive Works
Industrials
Railroads
Pyongyang
1945
Railways
S
A
Korea Computer Center
Technology
Internet
Pyongyang
1990
IT research, internet
S
A
Korea General Chemicals Trading
Basic materials
Commodity chemicals
Pyongyang
?
Chemical group, plastics
S
A
Korea General Machinery Trading Corporation
Industrials
Diversified industrials
Pyongyang
?
Machine tools, hydroelectrics
S
A
Korea General Magnesia Clinker Industry Group
Basic materials
Nonferrous metals
Pyongyang
?
Heavy industrial group, non-ferrous metals, mining
S
A
Korea General Zinc Industry Group
Basic materials
Nonferrous metals
Pyongyang
?
Non-ferrous metals, mining
S
A
Korea Mining and Development Trading Corporation
Industrials
Defense
Pyongyang
?
State-owned arms dealer
S
A
Korea Ponghwa General Corporation
Consumer goods
Clothing & accessories
Pyongyang
?
Light industrial group, clothing, rucksacks, bags
S
A
Korea Sinhung Trading Corporation
Consumer goods
Durable household products
Pyongyang
?
Household appliances and furniture
S
A
Korea Sogyong Trading Corporation
Consumer goods
Tobacco
Pyongyang
?
Carpets, tobacco
S
A
Korea Unha General Trading Corporation
Consumer goods
Clothing & accessories
Pyongyang
?
Import/export, textiles
S
A
Korean Ocean Shipping Agency
Industrials
Marine transportation
Pyongyang
1956
Shipping, pilotage, logistics
S
A
Koryolink
Telecommunications
Mobile telecommunications
Pyongyang
2008
3G provider, part of Veon (Netherlands)
P
A
Mansudae Art Studio
Consumer services
Broadcasting & entertainment
Pyongyang
1959
Art studio
S
A
Mansudae Overseas Project Group of Companies
Industrials
Heavy construction
Pyongyang
1967
Monuments and memorials, part of Mansudae Art Studio
S
A
Naegohyang
Various
Various
Multi-industry congloerate
S
A
Noko Jeans
Consumer goods
Clothing & accessories
Pyongyang
2007
First denim jeans production company in North Korea, defunct 2011
P
D
Nosotek
Technology
Computer services
Pyongyang
2008
IT joint venture
P
A
Okryu-gwan
Consumer services
Restaurants & bars
Pyongyang
1960
Restaurant in Pyongyang
S
A
Pyongyang
Consumer services
Restaurants & bars
Pyongyang
?
Restaurant chain
S
A
Pyongyang Chewing Gum Factory
Consumer goods
Food products
Pyongyang
2003
Gum
S
A
Ryonbong
Industrials
Industrial machinery
Pyongyang
?
Machine/materials export
S
A
SEK Studio
Consumer services
Broadcasting & entertainment
Pyongyang
1957
Animation services
S
A
Sungri Motor Plant
Industrials
Industrial Machinery
Tokchon
1950
Motors
S
A
SunNet
Telecommunications
Mobile telecommunications
Pyongyang
2002
Mobile network, defunct 2010
P
D
Taedonggang Brewing Company
Consumer goods
Brewers
Pyongyang
2000
Brewery
S
A
Taep'oong International Investment Group of Korea
Financials
Investment services
Pyongyang
?
Investments
S
A
See also
References
Works cited
"Country Profile: North Korea" (PDF) . Library of Congress – Federal Research Division. July 2007. Retrieved 4 July 2009 .
French, Paul (2007). North Korea: The Paranoid Peninsula: A Modern History (Second ed.). Zed Books.
Martin, Bradley K. (2004). Under the Loving Care of the Fatherly Leader: North Korea and the Kim Dynasty . New York City, New York: Thomas Dunne Books. ISBN 0-312-32322-0 .
External links