North Korea’s natural environment is shaped by its unique geographical position and climatic patterns. It offers diverse terrains, from towering peaks to meandering rivers and expansive coastlines. Its isolation has inadvertently preserved some pristine areas, while human activities have also left their mark.
Geographical Features and Climate
North Korea’s terrain is predominantly mountainous, with hills and mountains making up approximately 80% of its land area. The Nangnim Mountains run north-south through the country’s center, forming a watershed for most rivers that flow westward into the Yellow Sea and Korea Bay. The Hamgyong Range, located in the extreme northeast, features high peaks like Kwanmobong, reaching about 2,541 meters (8,337 ft).
Mount Paektu (Paektusan), an active stratovolcano on the border with China, stands as the highest point at 2,744 meters (9,003 ft). This sacred mountain features a caldera containing a large crater lake known as Heaven Lake, which is typically covered in ice from mid-October to mid-June. Another notable peak, Mount Kumgang (Kumgangsan), located in the Taebaek Range, is renowned for its scenic beauty. The country’s extensive coastline stretches along the Yellow Sea to the west and the Sea of Japan (East Sea) to the east, with the western coast featuring wider plains compared to the narrower, discontinuous plains in the east.
North Korea experiences a humid continental climate with four distinct seasons. Winters, from December to March, are long, cold, and dry, influenced by northern and northwestern winds from Siberia. Mean January temperatures in Pyongyang range from approximately -3 to -13 °C (27 to 9 °F), while the northern interior can see temperatures as low as -23 °C (-10 °F). Summers, from June to September, are warm, humid, and rainy due to southern and southeastern monsoon winds bringing moist air from the Pacific Ocean, with approximately 60% of annual precipitation occurring during this period.
Biodiversity
North Korea’s varied landscapes, encompassing mountains, forests, rivers, and coastal areas, support a wide array of flora and fauna. The Baekdu-daegan mountain range, a prominent feature in the northern and central regions, hosts coniferous and mixed temperate forests. These forests are home to diverse plant communities, although native lowland plant communities have largely disappeared due to cultivation and urbanization. Over 2,898 plant species have been recorded, with 14% being endemic to the region.
The country’s fauna includes species such as the Amur leopard, considered one of the rarest big cats globally, and the Asiatic black bear. While Siberian tigers once roamed the Korean Peninsula, their presence in North Korea is currently unconfirmed, with some researchers suggesting that isolated, remote regions might still provide suitable habitat. North Korea’s rivers, including the Yalu and Tumen, provide habitats for various fish species and serve as important stopover points for migratory birds along the East Asian-Australasian Flyway. Bird species like the hooded crane, white-naped crane, and various ducks and geese can be observed in wetlands and marshes, such as those found in the Rason Migratory Bird Reserve.
Human Impact on the Natural Environment
Human activities have significantly impacted North Korea’s natural environment. Deforestation is a considerable issue, largely driven by the demand for firewood and the conversion of forested land for agriculture to meet food needs. Between 1990 and 1996, the demand for firewood more than doubled, and satellite imagery from 2013 estimated a 40% loss of forest cover since 1985. This extensive deforestation leads to severe soil erosion, soil depletion, and an increased risk of flooding, which in turn can damage agricultural land.
Industrial activities also contribute to pollution in certain areas. Reliance on coal as a primary energy source also contributes to environmental strain, with severe flooding exacerbating deforestation. Despite these challenges, North Korea’s relative isolation has paradoxically contributed to the preservation of some relatively pristine natural areas in remote regions, where limited development has inadvertently safeguarded ecosystems. The government has implemented tree-planting programs and banned new crop cultivation on slopes exceeding 15 degrees to mitigate erosion and landslides.