North Korea
The 38th Parallel
A circle of latitude used as a pre-Korean War boundary between North and South
Communism
A political theory in which all property is publicly owned. Social and economic equality is the paramount value.
Ceasefire
A temporary halt to fighting called in 1953, there has never been a peace treaty formally ending the war between North and South Korea.
United Nations (UN)
An intergovernmental organization to promote international cooperation
Propaganda
Biased Information Used to Promote a Political Cause or View
Pyongyang
Capital of North Korea, place for the elite
Kim Jong-Un
Current Leader of North Korea.
Soviet Union
During the Cold War, the direct rival to the United States and an advocate for Communism. Supported Kim Il-Sung in creating a communist North Korea, and provided weapons and protection for North Korea until 1991.
Kim Jong-Nam
Eldest son of Kim Jong-Il, fell from favor as too westernized, assassinated in 2017 by agents of Kim Jong-Un, his half-brother.
Kim Jong-Il
Father of Kim Jong-Un, previous ruler of North Korea 1994-2006, oversaw development of nuclear program.
Kim Il-Sung
First communist leader of North Korea, 1948-1994, grandfather of Kim Jong-Un
People's Republic of China
North Korea's closest ally, the one other country that is still officially communist in Asia, though it is quickly modernizing and using capitalism.
Kim Yo-Jong
Kim is the youngest child of North Korea's second Supreme Leader, Kim Jong-il. She is the younger sister of Kim Jong-un, the current supreme leader, and is considered by some commentators to be a possible successor.
Juche
North-Korean ideology in which it remains completely independent from other nations, venerates the Kim family
Democratic People's Republic of Korea
Other name for North Korea
Republic of Korea
South Korea
Demilitarized Zone (DMZ)
The border between North and South Korea. The final line during the Korean War. Neither side is allowed to have troops there.
Intercontinental Ballistic Missile (ICBM)
The longest-range ballistic missiles, able to travel 5,000 miles
South Korea
Wealthy country to the South of North Korea. Home of major tech corporations like Samsung, Kia, Daewoo, Hyundai, LG.
Nuclear weapon
powerful explosive device that can cause widespread destruction. Requires both advanced physics and Uranium or Plutonium
Seoul
the capital and largest city of South Korea, roughly 20 miles from the DMZ.
Cold War
the power struggle between the Soviet Union and the United States after World War II
Brinksmanship
the wilingness to go to the brink of war to force an opponent to back down, the art or practice of pursuing a dangerous policy to the limits of safety before stopping.
