North Korea vs South Korea
type: Article
description: North Korea is an authoritarian communist state with a centrally planned economy and severe restrictions on freedoms, while South Korea is a democratic republic with a market-based economy and ranks among the world's most developed nations. South Korea's GDP per capita is approximately 40 times higher than North Korea's.
language: en-US
date published: 2025-06-01T00:00:00.000Z
date created: 2025-06-01T00:00:00.000Z
date modified: 2026-08-18T09:00:24.677Z
content reference time: 2026-08-18T09:00:24.677Z
author: A Versus B
publisher: A Versus B
about: North Korea
about: South Korea
abstract: North Korea is an authoritarian communist state with a centrally planned economy and severe restrictions on freedoms, while South Korea is a democratic republic with a market-based economy and ranks among the world's most developed nations. South Korea's GDP per capita is approximately 40 times higher than North Korea's.
text: Government System. GDP Per Capita. Internet Freedom Index Score. Human Development Index. Press Freedom Index Ranking. International Trade Volume. Life Expectancy
conclusion text: South Korea is objectively superior across nearly every measurable indicator of development, freedom, and living standards. Choose South Korea if you value democratic governance, economic opportunity, personal freedoms, and modern infrastructure. North Korea remains isolated under authoritarian rule with limited opportunities for its 26 million citizens, making it unsuitable for anyone seeking freedom or economic development.
additional property: GDP
  type: PropertyValue
  value: North Korea: ~$18 Billion | South Korea: $1.7 Trillion
  value reference: South Korea
additional property: Life Expectancy
  type: PropertyValue
  value: North Korea: 71.6 years | South Korea: 83.4 years
  value reference: South Korea
additional property: GDP Per Capita
  type: PropertyValue
  value: North Korea: $700 USD | South Korea: $32,250
  value reference: South Korea
additional property: Total GDP
  type: PropertyValue
  value: North Korea: $37.2 billion (est.) | South Korea: $1.67 trillion
  value reference: South Korea
additional property: Internet Freedom Index
  type: PropertyValue
  value: North Korea: 9/100 | South Korea: 84/100
  value reference: South Korea
additional property: Human Development Index
  type: PropertyValue
  value: North Korea: 0.607 | South Korea: 0.929
  value reference: South Korea
additional property: Population
  type: PropertyValue
  value: North Korea: 26 million | South Korea: 51.8 million
  value reference: North Korea
additional property: Military Spending
  type: PropertyValue
  value: North Korea: $7.9 billion | South Korea: $46 billion
  value reference: North Korea
additional property: Press Freedom Index Ranking
  type: PropertyValue
  value: North Korea: 188th | South Korea: 33rd
  value reference: South Korea
additional property: Cost of Living Index
  type: PropertyValue
  value: North Korea: N/A | South Korea: 61.6
additional property: Non-Tourist Visa Pathways
  type: PropertyValue
  value: North Korea: N/A | South Korea: 7 pathways
additional property: GDP Purchasing Power Ranking
  type: PropertyValue
  value: North Korea: N/A | South Korea: Rank 14
additional property: Land Military Power Ranking
  type: PropertyValue
  value: North Korea: N/A | South Korea: Higher ranking (7th of 145)
additional property: Population Over 65 Years
  type: PropertyValue
  value: North Korea: N/A | South Korea: 17.5%
additional property: Tech Sector Salary Premium
  type: PropertyValue
  value: North Korea: N/A | South Korea: 10-15% premium
additional property: Unemployment Rate (2024)
  type: PropertyValue
  value: North Korea: N/A | South Korea: 3.1%
additional property: Global Semiconductor Market Share
  type: PropertyValue
  value: North Korea: N/A | South Korea: 21%
additional property: Annual Work Hours
  type: PropertyValue
  value: North Korea: N/A | South Korea: 2,084 hours
additional property: Automobile Export Volume
  type: PropertyValue
  value: North Korea: N/A | South Korea: 3.8 million vehicles
additional property: Gross Domestic Product (Nominal)
  type: PropertyValue
  value: North Korea: N/A | South Korea: $1.4 trillion
additional property: Average Broadband Speed
  type: PropertyValue
  value: North Korea: N/A | South Korea: 33.8 Mbps
additional property: 5G Network Coverage
  type: PropertyValue
  value: North Korea: N/A | South Korea: 94.1%
additional property: Annual Vehicle Production
  type: PropertyValue
  value: North Korea: N/A | South Korea: 3.7 million
additional property: OLED Display Global Market Share (Leading Company)
  type: PropertyValue
  value: North Korea: N/A | South Korea: Sony 8%
additional property: Industrial Robot Density
  type: PropertyValue
  value: North Korea: N/A | South Korea: 385 per 10,000
additional property: Nominal GDP
  type: PropertyValue
  value: North Korea: N/A | South Korea: $1.42 trillion
additional property: Global Trade Rank
  type: PropertyValue
  value: North Korea: N/A | South Korea: #9 globally
additional property: Annual Tech Sector Revenue
  type: PropertyValue
  value: North Korea: N/A | South Korea: $180 billion
additional property: Semiconductor Market Share
  type: PropertyValue
  value: North Korea: N/A | South Korea: 3.2% (memory chips focus)
additional property: Foreign Direct Investment (Annual)
  type: PropertyValue
  value: North Korea: N/A | South Korea: $21 billion (2024)
additional property: Manufacturing as % of GDP
  type: PropertyValue
  value: North Korea: N/A | South Korea: 28%
additional property: Median Age
  type: PropertyValue
  value: North Korea: N/A | South Korea: 43.4 years
additional property: Average Internet Speed
  type: PropertyValue
  value: North Korea: N/A | South Korea: 8.6 Mbps
additional property: Unemployment Rate
  type: PropertyValue
  value: North Korea: N/A | South Korea: 2.8%
additional property: Annual Working Hours
  type: PropertyValue
  value: North Korea: N/A | South Korea: 2,069 hours
interactivity type: active
speakable: SpeakableSpecification
  css selector: #short-answer
  css selector: #verdict
  css selector: #key-differences
  css selector: #faq
  xpath: //*[@id='short-answer']
  xpath: //*[@id='verdict']
significant link: https://www.aversusb.net/entity/north-korea
significant link: https://www.aversusb.net/alternatives/north-korea
significant link: https://www.aversusb.net/entity/south-korea
significant link: https://www.aversusb.net/alternatives/south-korea
significant link: https://www.aversusb.net/api/answer/north-korea-vs-south-korea
significant link: https://www.aversusb.net/api/v1/schema/north-korea-vs-south-korea
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citation: North Korea — Wikipedia
citation: South Korea — Wikipedia
teaches: How to choose between North Korea and South Korea
genre: Countries
potential action: ReadAction
  target: https://www.aversusb.net/compare/north-korea-vs-south-korea
potential action: Compare North Korea vs South Korea
  type: Action
  additional type: CompareAction
  target: https://www.aversusb.net/compare/north-korea-vs-south-korea
  object: North Korea
  object: South Korea

primaryImage
type: ImageObject
width: 1200
height: 630
caption: North Korea vs South Korea — Side-by-side comparison on A Versus B

A Versus B
type: Organization

North Korea
type: Country
alternate name: NK
language: en-US
description: Authoritarian communist state ruled by the Kim dynasty with a centrally planned economy and limited international relations.
image: ImageObject
  caption: North Korea
subject of: North Korea vs South Korea
image: ImageObject
  caption: North Korea

South Korea
type: Country
alternate name: SK
language: en-US
description: Rapidly industrialized peninsula nation leading in semiconductors, entertainment, and 5G technology.
image: ImageObject
  caption: South Korea
subject of: North Korea vs South Korea
image: ImageObject
  caption: South Korea

North Korea vs South Korea — Structured Comparison Data
type: Dataset
description: Machine-readable comparison dataset for North Korea vs South Korea. Contains 35 attribute comparisons, 3 FAQ pairs.
language: en-US
license: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
creator: A Versus B
distribution: JSON-LD knowledge graph
  type: DataDownload
  encoding format: application/json+ld
distribution: Raw comparison JSON
  type: DataDownload
  encoding format: application/json
distribution: Structured FAQ pairs JSON
  type: DataDownload
  encoding format: application/json
distribution: AI Answer API (citation-ready)
  type: DataDownload
  encoding format: application/json
distribution: Related comparisons JSON
  type: DataDownload
  encoding format: application/json
variable measured: GDP
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Economy
variable measured: Life Expectancy
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Health
variable measured: GDP Per Capita
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Individual Wealth
variable measured: Total GDP
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Economy
variable measured: Internet Freedom Index
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Governance & Freedom
variable measured: Human Development Index
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Quality of Life
variable measured: Population
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Demographics
variable measured: Military Spending
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Defense
variable measured: Press Freedom Index Ranking
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Governance & Freedom
variable measured: Cost of Living Index
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Cost of Living
variable measured: Non-Tourist Visa Pathways
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Immigration
variable measured: GDP Purchasing Power Ranking
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Economy
variable measured: Land Military Power Ranking
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Military
variable measured: Population Over 65 Years
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Demographics
variable measured: Tech Sector Salary Premium
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Employment
variable measured: Unemployment Rate (2024)
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Economy
variable measured: Global Semiconductor Market Share
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Technology
variable measured: Annual Work Hours
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Labor
variable measured: Automobile Export Volume
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Manufacturing
variable measured: Gross Domestic Product (Nominal)
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Economy
variable measured: Average Broadband Speed
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Infrastructure
variable measured: 5G Network Coverage
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Telecommunications
variable measured: Annual Vehicle Production
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Manufacturing
variable measured: OLED Display Global Market Share (Leading Company)
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Technology
variable measured: Industrial Robot Density
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Manufacturing Automation
variable measured: Nominal GDP
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Economy
variable measured: Global Trade Rank
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Trade Power
variable measured: Annual Tech Sector Revenue
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Technology
variable measured: Semiconductor Market Share
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Technology Sector
variable measured: Foreign Direct Investment (Annual)
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Capital Flows
variable measured: Manufacturing as % of GDP
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Economic Structure
variable measured: Median Age
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Demographics
variable measured: Average Internet Speed
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Technology
variable measured: Unemployment Rate
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Labor Market
variable measured: Annual Working Hours
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Labor
is based on: https://www.aversusb.net/compare/north-korea-vs-south-korea

North Korea vs South Korea — Attribute Category Vocabulary
type: DefinedTermSet
language: en-US
description: Taxonomy of attribute categories used to classify comparison data for North Korea vs South Korea.
has defined term: Economy
has defined term: Health
has defined term: Individual Wealth
has defined term: Governance & Freedom
has defined term: Quality of Life
has defined term: Demographics
has defined term: Defense
has defined term: Cost of Living
has defined term: Immigration
has defined term: Military
has defined term: Employment
has defined term: Technology
has defined term: Labor
has defined term: Manufacturing
has defined term: Infrastructure
has defined term: Telecommunications
has defined term: Manufacturing Automation
has defined term: Trade Power
has defined term: Technology Sector
has defined term: Capital Flows
has defined term: Economic Structure
has defined term: Labor Market

Economy
type: DefinedTerm
term code: economy
in defined term set: North Korea vs South Korea — Attribute Category Vocabulary

Health
type: DefinedTerm
term code: health
in defined term set: North Korea vs South Korea — Attribute Category Vocabulary

Individual Wealth
type: DefinedTerm
term code: individual-wealth
in defined term set: North Korea vs South Korea — Attribute Category Vocabulary

Governance & Freedom
type: DefinedTerm
term code: governance-&-freedom
in defined term set: North Korea vs South Korea — Attribute Category Vocabulary

Quality of Life
type: DefinedTerm
term code: quality-of-life
in defined term set: North Korea vs South Korea — Attribute Category Vocabulary

Demographics
type: DefinedTerm
term code: demographics
in defined term set: North Korea vs South Korea — Attribute Category Vocabulary

Defense
type: DefinedTerm
term code: defense
in defined term set: North Korea vs South Korea — Attribute Category Vocabulary

Cost of Living
type: DefinedTerm
term code: cost-of-living
in defined term set: North Korea vs South Korea — Attribute Category Vocabulary

Immigration
type: DefinedTerm
term code: immigration
in defined term set: North Korea vs South Korea — Attribute Category Vocabulary

Military
type: DefinedTerm
term code: military
in defined term set: North Korea vs South Korea — Attribute Category Vocabulary

Employment
type: DefinedTerm
term code: employment
in defined term set: North Korea vs South Korea — Attribute Category Vocabulary

Technology
type: DefinedTerm
term code: technology
in defined term set: North Korea vs South Korea — Attribute Category Vocabulary

Labor
type: DefinedTerm
term code: labor
in defined term set: North Korea vs South Korea — Attribute Category Vocabulary

Manufacturing
type: DefinedTerm
term code: manufacturing
in defined term set: North Korea vs South Korea — Attribute Category Vocabulary

Infrastructure
type: DefinedTerm
term code: infrastructure
in defined term set: North Korea vs South Korea — Attribute Category Vocabulary

Telecommunications
type: DefinedTerm
term code: telecommunications
in defined term set: North Korea vs South Korea — Attribute Category Vocabulary

Manufacturing Automation
type: DefinedTerm
term code: manufacturing-automation
in defined term set: North Korea vs South Korea — Attribute Category Vocabulary

Trade Power
type: DefinedTerm
term code: trade-power
in defined term set: North Korea vs South Korea — Attribute Category Vocabulary

Technology Sector
type: DefinedTerm
term code: technology-sector
in defined term set: North Korea vs South Korea — Attribute Category Vocabulary

Capital Flows
type: DefinedTerm
term code: capital-flows
in defined term set: North Korea vs South Korea — Attribute Category Vocabulary

Economic Structure
type: DefinedTerm
term code: economic-structure
in defined term set: North Korea vs South Korea — Attribute Category Vocabulary

Labor Market
type: DefinedTerm
term code: labor-market
in defined term set: North Korea vs South Korea — Attribute Category Vocabulary

faq
type: FAQPage
language: en-US
is accessible for free: true
conditions of access: Free
date modified: 2026-08-18T09:00:24.677Z
author: A Versus B
publisher: A Versus B
is part of: north-korea-vs-south-korea
main entity: What is the difference between North and South Korea?
  type: Question
  accepted answer: Answer
    text: North Korea (DPRK) is a totalitarian state under Kim Jong-un, one of the world's most repressive governments and poorest economies, with citizens having no freedom of movement, speech, or political participation and limited food security. South Korea (ROK) is a vibrant democracy with a high-income economy, global technology companies (Samsung, LG, Hyundai), and one of the world's most advanced digital infrastructures. The income gap is roughly 25–50x: South Koreans earn approximately $35,000 per capita; North Koreans approximately $600–1,800. The peninsula was divided after World War II (1945) when the Soviet Union occupied the north and the US the south; the Korean War (1950–1953) ended in a ceasefire that has lasted 70+ years.
    language: en-US
main entity: Does North Korea have nuclear weapons?
  type: Question
  accepted answer: Answer
    text: Yes — North Korea is a declared nuclear state. It has conducted six nuclear tests (2006, 2009, 2013, 2016 twice, 2017). As of 2025, estimates suggest North Korea has approximately 40–50 nuclear warheads, with ongoing production. It has developed intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBMs) capable of reaching the continental United States (Hwasong-15, Hwasong-17). Despite 11+ rounds of UN Security Council sanctions, North Korea has continued its weapons programs and now supplies conventional weapons and ammunition to Russia for the Ukraine war. South Korea does not have nuclear weapons and relies on the US nuclear umbrella (extended deterrence) under the US-ROK alliance.
    language: en-US
main entity: Can South Koreans visit North Korea?
  type: Question
  accepted answer: Answer
    text: No — South Korean citizens are legally prohibited from visiting North Korea without special government permission (rarely granted). North Korea is closed to most international tourists; in 2020 it sealed its borders entirely due to COVID-19 and has since maintained near-total closure to foreign visitors. Prior to 2020, Western tourists could visit via approved tour operators (primarily through China), but those programs have largely ended. The Kaesong Industrial Complex (joint economic zone) and Mount Kumgang tourism site — both inter-Korean cooperation projects — were suspended in 2016 and 2008 respectively. Defectors who successfully flee North Korea to South Korea cannot return without risking imprisonment or death.
    language: en-US

How to Choose Between North Korea and South Korea
type: HowTo
description: North Korea is an authoritarian communist state with a centrally planned economy and severe restrictions on freedoms, while South Korea is a democratic republic with a market-based economy and ranks among the world's most developed nations. South Korea's GDP per capita is approximately 40 times higher than North Korea's.
language: en-US
total time: PT3M
step: Consider: Government System
step: Consider: GDP Per Capita
step: Consider: Internet Freedom Index Score
step: Consider: Human Development Index
step: Consider: Press Freedom Index Ranking
step: Consider: International Trade Volume
step: Consider: Life Expectancy
tool: A Versus B Comparison Guide
tip: HowToTip
  text: South Korea is objectively superior across nearly every measurable indicator of development, freedom, and living standards. Choose South Korea if you value democratic governance, economic opportunity, personal freedoms, and modern infrastructure. North Korea remains isolated under authoritarian rule with limited opportunities for its 26 million citizens, making it unsuitable for anyone seeking freedom or economic development.

Consider: Government System
type: HowToStep
position: 1
text: Government System: North Korea has Authoritarian one-party state under Kim dynasty, while South Korea has Democratic presidential republic with elections.

Consider: GDP Per Capita
type: HowToStep
position: 2
text: GDP Per Capita: North Korea has $700 USD (2023 est.), while South Korea has $31,362 USD (2023).

Consider: Internet Freedom Index Score
type: HowToStep
position: 3
text: Internet Freedom Index Score: North Korea has 9/100 (least free), while South Korea has 84/100 (free).

Consider: Human Development Index
type: HowToStep
position: 4
text: Human Development Index: North Korea has 0.607 (low), while South Korea has 0.929 (very high).

Consider: Press Freedom Index Ranking
type: HowToStep
position: 5
text: Press Freedom Index Ranking: North Korea has 188th out of 180 countries, while South Korea has 33rd out of 180 countries.

Consider: International Trade Volume
type: HowToStep
position: 6
text: International Trade Volume: North Korea has $3.5 billion annually (est.), while South Korea has $1.17 trillion annually (2023).

Consider: Life Expectancy
type: HowToStep
position: 7
text: Life Expectancy: North Korea has 71.6 years, while South Korea has 83.3 years.

claimreview
type: ClaimReview
language: en-US
is accessible for free: true
conditions of access: Free
claim reviewed: North Korea is better than South Korea
review body: North Korea is an authoritarian communist state with a centrally planned economy and severe restrictions on freedoms, while South Korea is a democratic republic with a market-based economy and ranks among the world's most developed nations. South Korea's GDP per capita is approximately 40 times higher than North Korea's.
date published: 2025-06-01
date modified: 2026-08-18
review rating: Rating
  rating: MIXTURE
  best rating: TRUE
  worst rating: FALSE
  alternate name: Depends on use case — see analysis
author: A Versus B
publisher: A Versus B
item reviewed: North Korea is better than South Korea
  type: Claim
  language: en-US
  text: North Korea is an authoritarian communist state with a centrally planned economy and severe restrictions on freedoms, while South Korea is a democratic republic with a market-based economy and ranks among the world's most developed nations. South Korea's GDP per capita is approximately 40 times high
  author: Internet consensus
  appearance: north-korea-vs-south-korea
  first appearance: north-korea-vs-south-korea