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South v North Korea: how do the two countries compare?

How big is North Korea's army compared to South Korea? What is the size of the economy, or the average life expectancy?

It's certainly not comparing like with like: North Korea is a small, impoverished and isolated country; South Korea is wealthy and backed by the world's number one superpower.

They never call themselves the names we do either: officially, it's the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (that's the North, to the rest of us) and the Republic of Korea. And, while the South is westernised and industrialised, the North has the distinction of being the most corrupt country int e world (joint with Afghanistan), according to Transparency International, have a high infant mortality rate and homicide rate - plus have one of the lowest press freedom scores anywhere in the world.

The big caveat with all this data is the fact that we know very little, really, about North Korea. These numbers, estimates as they are by the UN and other bodies, are almost certainly wrong. But they are the best numbers we have.

http://phillyimc.org/en/ilps-conveys-condolences-korean-people-over-demise-beloved-leader-kim-jong-il

http://www.indymedia.org.uk/en/regions/london/2006/10/353249.html

The Guardian

UK Indymedia

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South v North Korea: how do the two countries compare?