North Korea’s language scene is tightly connected to its institutions and daily life, with official usage shaped by government policy, education, and media. Understanding which language(s) hold official status helps when studying signage, documents, or cultural materials from the country.
There are 1 Official Languages in North Korea, ranging from Korean; entries are organized with columns Status,Script so you’ll find below how the language is officially recognized and which writing system it uses.
Is Korean the only official language in North Korea?
Yes — Korean is the sole official language of the DPRK. The national standard reflects the North’s own norms (often called Munhwaŏ, based on the Pyongan dialect) and is used across government, schools, and state media.
How is Korean written in North Korea and what will the Status,Script columns show?
Korean in the North is written primarily in Hangul; Hanja is essentially out of regular use. In the table below the Status column indicates official recognition and the Script column lists the writing system (e.g., Hangul).
Official Languages in North Korea
| Language | Status | Script |
|---|---|---|
| Korean | Official state language (per DPRK constitution) | Hangul (Chosŏn’gŭl) alphabet |
Images and Descriptions
Korean
Korean is the DPRK’s official state language under the constitution; it is used in government, law, education, and media. Written primarily in Hangul (Chosŏn’gŭl), DPRK promotes its standardized national form and orthography distinct from South Korea’s.
