The Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK; Chosŏn'gŭl:
조선민주주의인민공화국; Chosŏn Minjujuŭi Inmin Konghwaguk), commonly called
North Korea ( listen), is a country in East Asia, in the
northern half of the Korean Peninsula. Its capital is Pyongyang,
the country's largest city by both land area and population. The
Amnok River and the Tumen River form the international border
between North Korea and the People's Republic of China. A small
section of the Tumen River also lies along the border between
North Korea and the Russian Federation, technically following
the river's thalweg. The Korean Demilitarized Zone forms the
boundary between North Korea and South Korea. The legitimacy of
this border is not accepted by either side, as both states claim
to be the legitimate government of the entire country. The
Korean peninsula was governed by the Korean Empire from the late
19th century to the early 20th century, until it was annexed by
the Empire of Japan in 1910. After the surrender of Japan at the
end of World War I