Albania
vs
North Korea
The relation between Albania and North Korea is BAD, with an overall score of 3.73 out of 10.
Chance of conflict between both countries: uncommon
Head to head: who leads each category
Albania
2.3M
North Korea
26.6M
Leads
Albania
$535.5M
North Korea
$1.6B
Leads
Albania
#66
North Korea
#24
Leads
About this relationship
North Korea and Albania established diplomatic relations in 1948, shortly after the creation of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea. Both countries were communist states during the Cold War and maintained diplomatic contacts despite their geographical distance.
Relations were historically influenced by the ideological positions of the two governments. Albania under Enver Hoxha developed a particularly isolated foreign policy, while North Korea pursued its own independent political and economic model.
Following Albania's transition away from communism in the early 1990s, bilateral relations became much less significant. Albania developed closer ties with Western Europe, NATO and the United States, while North Korea remained internationally isolated.
Economic relations are extremely limited. Albania implements United Nations sanctions concerning North Korea, restricting trade, financial transactions and other forms of economic cooperation.
Political contacts today are largely conducted through international institutions rather than through extensive bilateral engagement. Albania's membership of NATO and the European Union places it within a foreign-policy framework very different from North Korea's.
The relationship therefore has considerable historical interest because of its Cold War origins but limited contemporary practical substance. Formal diplomatic ties remain, while sanctions and the two countries' very different international alignments constrain cooperation.
Strengths & comparison
The position in the international influence ranking of North Korea is 24, while Albania is situated 42 places below in the ranking (position 66). North Korea maintains contact with 76 countries, while Albania maintains contact with 55 countries. Albania maintains an excellent relation with 8 countries, while in the case of North Korea, this figure drops to 7.
About Albania
Albania is a country located in southeastern Europe, on the Balkan Peninsula. It is bordered by Kosovo to the northwest, Montenegro to the north, Serbia to the northeast, the Republic of North Macedonia to the east, and Greece to the south. Albania has a population of about 2.9 million people and the capital is Tirana.
Albania has a long and complex history, with roots dating back to ancient Illyria. It has been conquered and ruled by various powers throughout its history, including the Romans, Byzantines, Ottomans, and Austro-Hungarians. It declared independence from the Ottoman Empire in 1912, but was later occupied by fascist Italy during World War II. After the war, it became a communist state under the rule of Enver Hoxha and remained isolated from the rest of the world until the collapse of the communist regime in the early 1990s.
Since then, Albania has made progress in transitioning to a market economy and integrating with the international community. It is a member of the United Nations and the Council of Europe, and has applied for membership in the European Union. However, the country still faces challenges, including corruption, organized crime, and high unemployment. It is also vulnerable to natural disasters, such as earthquakes and floods.
Geography & terrain
Mostly mountainous terrain, especially in the north and east, with a narrow coastal lowland along the Adriatic and Ionian Seas. Mediterranean climate on the coast, cooler and more continental inland. The rugged interior highlands have historically sheltered resistance to outside control, while the exposed coastline leaves it vulnerable to naval pressure.
About North Korea
North Korea, also known as the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK), is a country located in East Asia, occupying the northern half of the Korean Peninsula. It is bordered by China and Russia to the north, and by South Korea (officially known as the Republic of Korea or ROK) to the south. North Korea has a population of around 25 million people and is ruled by the Kim dynasty, with Kim Jong-un currently serving as the country's leader.
North Korea is known for its highly centralized and authoritarian government, which controls nearly every aspect of citizens' lives and severely restricts their freedom of expression and access to information. The country's economy is heavily controlled by the state, and it is one of the poorest and most isolated countries in the world.
North Korea is also known for its nuclear weapons program and its tense relationship with the United States and other Western countries. The country has conducted several nuclear tests and has developed ballistic missiles capable of reaching the mainland United States, leading to international sanctions and efforts to denuclearize the Korean Peninsula.
In recent years, North Korea has engaged in a series of negotiations with the United States and South Korea, including a historic summit between Kim Jong-un and U.S. President Donald Trump in 2018. However, progress towards denuclearization and improving relations with the West has been slow, and tensions between North Korea and the United States have continued to flare up.
Geography & terrain
Predominantly mountainous and hilly, especially along the border with China, with narrow coastal plains where most agriculture and population are concentrated. Continental climate with cold, dry winters and hot, humid summers. Coastlines on both the Yellow Sea and Sea of Japan (East Sea). The rugged interior has historically slowed overland invasion, while the Yalu River and mountains along the Chinese border form a further natural barrier.
| Albania |
North Korea |
|
|---|---|---|
| Government type | Parliamentary republic | One-party state |
| GDP | $30.5B | Data not available |
| GDP per capita | $13.0K | Data not available |
| Military expenditure | $535.5M | $1.6BLeads |
| Military expenditure per capita | $228Leads | $60 |
| Land military expenditure (estimation) | $267.7M | $1.0BLeads |
| Air military expenditure (estimation) | $133.9M | $320.9MLeads |
| Naval military expenditure (estimation) | $133.9M | $240.7MLeads |
| Nuclear power | No | Yes |
| European Union | Not a member | Not a member |
| NATO | Member | Not a member |
Strengths & comparison
The capitals of Albania and North Korea are approximately 8 360 km apart (straight-line distance). There is a standard time difference of about 8.0 hours between them.
Based on shared language, currency, economic profile, borders and international groups, Albania and North Korea score a 0/100 similarity index. This is a fun, approximate metric — not a scientific one.
Excellent relation (7+/10) with both countries
Which side is each country closer to?
Comparing Albania's and North Korea's scores against the same third countries shows where each one has a clear edge. Albania scores noticeably higher with: Israel, Germany, Italy, Japan, Romania.North Korea scores noticeably higher with: Iran, Russia, Indonesia, China, Finland.
The relation between Albania and North Korea hasn't changed recently, and it remains at 3.7.
Score history
Let's suppose a hypothetical conflict occurs between both countries:
Solo scenario: Albania vs North Korea
Allies scenario: Team Albania vs Team North Korea
In a hypothetical conflict between Albania and North Korea, probably, Israel and Germany will participate helping Albania.
No country will participate helping North Korea.
Battle narrative
Initial phase
With both the bigger war chest and the stronger air force, North Korea is well placed to seize the initiative early, striking key military and infrastructure targets first.
Force composition
North Korea can also call on significantly more personnel, counting both active-duty and reserve forces. North Korea's advantage extends to naval power as well.
Ground campaign
Albania's terrain could make a rapid ground campaign difficult: The rugged interior highlands have historically sheltered resistance to outside control, while the exposed coastline leaves it vulnerable to naval pressure. Port of Durres would likely be a focal point of the campaign: Albania's largest port on the Adriatic Sea and the country's main link for maritime trade and military resupply. North Korea's terrain could make a rapid ground campaign difficult: The rugged interior has historically slowed overland invasion, while the Yalu River and mountains along the Chinese border form a further natural barrier. Pyongyang would likely be a focal point of the campaign: The capital holds the seat of government, key military command structures, and the country's primary air and rail hub. North Korea's larger population could also support a prolonged resistance.
Prolonged conflict
Albania's stronger economy could help sustain military operations in a prolonged conflict. Occupying Albania outright would likely prove costly given its terrain.
Overall assessment
Overall, the numbers favor North Korea, giving it an estimated 55.3% chance of coming out on top. Turning that edge into a decisive win over Albania — and holding any ground taken — would still be far from guaranteed.
Initial phase
Albania's team's larger military budget and stronger air power give it an advantage in the initial stages of the conflict, with the ability to target key military positions and infrastructure.
Force composition
North Korea's team can also call on significantly more personnel, counting both active-duty and reserve forces. Albania's team's advantage extends to naval power as well.
Ground campaign
North Korea's terrain could make a rapid ground campaign difficult: The rugged interior has historically slowed overland invasion, while the Yalu River and mountains along the Chinese border form a further natural barrier. Pyongyang would likely be a focal point of the campaign: The capital holds the seat of government, key military command structures, and the country's primary air and rail hub. Albania's team's larger population could also support a prolonged resistance.
Coalition
Albania's team goes into this conflict as a coalition of Israel, Germany and Albania. Fighting as part of a coalition brings combined strength, though coordinating several countries also adds logistical complexity.
Prolonged conflict
Albania's team's stronger economy could help sustain military operations in a prolonged conflict. Occupying North Korea's team outright would likely prove costly given its terrain.
Overall assessment
Albania's team enters this matchup as the stronger side on paper, with roughly a 74.3% probability of winning. That advantage would still need to be converted into an actual battlefield result against North Korea's team, which real conflicts rarely guarantee.
Want to build your own teams? Try the War Simulator.