Overview
The Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) lies in eastern Asia, on the northern half of the Korean Peninsula bordering the Korea Bay and the Sea of Japan, between China and South Korea.
After World War II, Korea was divided into two separate countries with the northern part coming under the influence of Soviet communism. Between 1950 and 1953 North Korea tried and failed to conquer South Korea, which was supported by the United States. Since the mid-1990s North Korea has relied heavily on international food aid to feed its population.
The country has an estimated 23 million inhabitants. It is a socialist centrally planned economy based on the Juche ideology of self-reliance, with administered prices and state procurement and supply; yet it has been heavily dependent on food aid since the mid-nineties. As a result of its nuclear development strategy (nuclear deterrent strategy) the DPRK has a fragile relationship with the world community, most especially the United States, however diplomatic channels remain open.
Concern's work in Democratic People's Republic of Korea
Concern has been operational in DPRK since 1997, at which time it responded to a major humanitarian crisis caused by flooding, which resulted in the loss of life or livelihood for an estimated five million people. As the humanitarian situation has evolved Concern, has moved from implementing emergency response to longer term sustainable development programmes.
These programmes are in the sectors of primary health care, environmental health, agriculture and environmental protection, and are primarily based in South Pyongan Province. Read more...
