North Korea occupies the northern part (roughly half) of the Korean peninsula, off of the east coast of Asia. North Korea shares a very short border with Russia, and a much longer border with China, to the northwest. Its only other border is its 238 km long border with South Korea, the most heavily fortified border in the world. North Korea has the Sea of Japan to the east, and Korea Bay and the Yellow Sea to the west. Referred to as the “Hermit Kingdom”, North Korea has adopted a policy of economic “self-reliance” and has limited trade with other countries. International food aid has been give to the people of North Korea when the government will allow it.