The Democratic People's Republic of Korea is participating in the activities of the United Nations Population Fund from January 17, Juche 74(1985).

Afterwards, the Population Research Institute was established on July 11, Juche 74(1985). It is a scientific research organ making a study of population and an analysis of data needed for drawing up a population policy of the country and a plan for national economic development.

Ri Kang Jin, staff member of the Population Research Institute, says:

"Over the past 30-odd years our institute has involved itself in analyzing the data in a number of population censuses including the national one in 1993 and drawing up reports on them. It has also made different studies and surveys of population and reproductive health such as socio-economic, demographic and health survey in 2014 and assessment on quality of care of reproductive health in health facilities in 2016 to draw up and implement the national plan for reproductive health and other medium- and long-term plans.

And the institute is in close contact with the United Nations Population Fund in the field of the population and reproductive health sector. It is also cooperating with the World Health Organization and the United Nations Children's Fund for the health of women and children."

The institute is conducting various activities to increase the social understanding of the population issue, emphasizing the importance of the population and reproductive health and their urgent solution in the overall socio-economic development.

It introduces the news of population at home and abroad and several research papers in the field of population through the newspaper "Population Newsletter" and "Gazette of the Population Research Institute". Besides, it is making literature and books on the reproductive health of women.

The institute organizes colourful events and short courses for health workers on different occasions including the World Population Day every year.

Different activities conducted by the institute make a contribution to improving the state of population and reproductive health in the DPRK.

Jang Hye Sun, Director of the Population Research Institute, says:

"In recent years it has been the main direction of the world for solving the population issue to ensure the women's right to reproduction and improve their reproductive health.

The DPRK adopted a number of laws including the Law on Sex Equality promulgated in 1946, the Public Health Law, Family Rights Law and the Law on Women's Rights, providing a legal guarantee to the women's right to reproduction. And medical service organs at all levels are providing the women with good reproductive health.

Now the protracted worldwide pandemic is seriously threatening the human existence and development. But our country is launching the national emergency anti-epidemic campaign for thoroughly protecting the people's lives and health and paying a special concern to the reproductive health and rights of the women."

The Population Research Institute will make scientific research of the population and reproductive health on a higher level and further strengthen its cooperation with the United Nations Population Fund and other international organizations.