Important people

Kim Jong-il:

Kim Jong-il has been North Korea's de facto dictator since his father's death in 1994. His official titles include Chairman of the National Defense Commission of North Korea and General Secretary of the Korean Workers' Party, among others. BBC News reports that he lives quite comfortably, boasting "a library of 20,000 Hollywood movies," a healthy appetite for wine and Hennessy, and daily shipments of fresh lobster and other delicacies.

Kim Il-sung:

Kim Il-sung is Jong-il's father and the founder of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (1948). During his life, he held such titles as President, Prime Minister, and General Secretary of the Korean Workers' Party. He currently holds the office of the Eternal President of the Republic of North Korea, despite his being deceased, and his birthday is celebrated as a national holiday.

Kim Yong-nam:

As the Chairman of the Presidium of the Supreme People's Assembly, Yong-nam is one third of the triumvirate that makes up the executive branch of the DPRK government (the other two positions being the Chairman of the National Defense Commission and the Premier).

Pak Pong-ju:

Pong-ju is the DPRK's Premier and the third part of the executive triumvirate.

A few definitions

The Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK):

North Korea's official name.

The Republic of Korea (ROK):

South Korea's official name.

The 38th Parallel:

The line of latitude that has (approximately) separated North and South Korea since the end of WWII. (Coincidentally, the 38th parallel also runs through my hometown of Manassas, VA.)

Military Demarcation Line (MDL):

The actual border between North and South Korea, which runs more or less across the 38th Parallel. Also known as the Armistice or Ceasefire Line.

Korean Demilitarized Zone (DMZ):

A four kilometer-wide neutral zone along the MDL where military activity is forbidden. Landmines throughout the DMZ have further discouraged human presence, and as such, the area is known for its variety of wildlife.

Panmunjeom:

A village lying on the MDL where the 1953 Korean War armistice was negotiated and signed. (Panmunjeom was also mentioned in Billy Joel's rockin' 1989 song "We Didn't Start the Fire.")

Joint Security Area (JSA):

An area within Panmunjeom where negotiations between North and South Korea have taken place since 1953.

Testing

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