South Korea vs North Korea — Country Comparison
South Korea
North KoreaSouth Korea and North Korea side by side: North Korea is the larger country (120,538 km² vs 100,210 km²), while South Korea has the bigger population (51.2 million vs 25.9 million). The full comparison table below covers capitals, currencies, languages, dialling codes, timezones and more.
Facts last checked 9 October 2026.
| Fact | South Korea | North Korea |
|---|---|---|
| Capital | Seoul | Pyongyang |
| Population | 51,159,889 | 25,950,000 |
| Area | 100,210 km² | 120,538 km² |
| Currency | South Korean won | North Korean won |
| Language | Korean | Korean |
| Dialling code | +82 | +850 |
| Main timezone | UTC+09:00 | UTC+09:00 |
| Drives on the | Right | Right |
| Region | Eastern Asia | Eastern Asia |
| Emergency number | 112 (police) / 119 (fire & ambulance) | 112 (works on most mobile networks worldwide) |
Key differences: South Korea vs North Korea
- South Korea has about 2.0 times the population of North Korea.
- North Korea is slightly larger by area.
- South Korea is the more densely populated of the two.
- They use different currencies: KRW and KPW.
- They share Korean as an official language.
- They share a land border.
- Their geographic centres are about 340 km apart.
- South Korea and North Korea are in the same time zone (UTC+09:00).
Want the full picture for each country? See South Korea and North Korea, or compare their population pages: South Korea · North Korea.
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South Korea vs North Korea — FAQ
Which is bigger, South Korea or North Korea?
North Korea is bigger by area: 120,538 km² vs 100,210 km².
Is South Korea bigger than North Korea?
No — North Korea is larger at 120,538 km² vs 100,210 km² for South Korea.
Which has more people, South Korea or North Korea?
South Korea has the larger population: 51,159,889 (51.2 million) vs 25,950,000 (25.9 million).
How does the size of South Korea compare to North Korea?
North Korea (120,538 km²) is larger than South Korea (100,210 km²).
Do South Korea and North Korea use the same currency?
No — South Korea uses the South Korean won and North Korea uses the North Korean won.
Are South Korea and North Korea on the same continent?
Yes — both are in Asia.
What is the time difference between South Korea and North Korea?
South Korea and North Korea are in the same time zone (UTC+09:00).
Do South Korea and North Korea share an official language?
Yes — both share Korean as an official language.
Do South Korea and North Korea share a border?
Yes — South Korea and North Korea share a land border.
Which is more densely populated, South Korea or North Korea?
South Korea is more densely populated at roughly 511 people per km², compared to 215 for North Korea.
How far is South Korea from North Korea?
The distance between the geographic centres of South Korea and North Korea is roughly 340 km (210 miles) in a straight line. Actual travel distances between cities will differ.
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