Skip to content

North Korea

North Korea occupies the northern portion of the Korean Peninsula and has a population of over 25.4 million.

It is divided from South Korea though a demilitarized zone, established by the terms of the 1953 armistice that ended fighting in the Korean War (1950–53). The demilitarized zone between North and South Korea has become a de facto nature preserve. Since the end of hostilities in 1953, it has lain almost untouched and has reverted to nature to a large extent, making it one of the most pristine undeveloped areas in Asia.

North Korea has a centralized economy where the state controls all means of production. Little attention was given to agriculture until the 1970s. Despite its policy of self-reliance, North Korea has found it necessary to import essential commodities like fuels and machinery as well as grain.

44-60% of the food energy consumed in North Korea comes from crops that are not native to the region. Most of these plants’ diversity is found elsewhere on the planet.

Scroll to top