Today, like in the United States and many other countries, public life in North Korea is non-religious. Through the years, the religions of Buddhism, Shamanism, and Christianity also gained influenced in North Korea. Historically, the Korean way of life was shaped by Confucian values based on the teachings of Confucius, a Chinese teacher and philosopher. Several religious traditions have influenced North Korean culture. The country’s most-populated rural areas are the eastern and western coastal lowlands and river valley plains. North Korea’s capital city, Pyongyang, is also its largest city, with its 2.87 million population outnumbering that of Hamhung, the country’s second-largest city, which has nearly 800,000 people. More than two-thirds of the country’s people live in urban areas. Since the end of World War II, very few foreigners have been allowed into the country. The institution also appoints or dismisses members of the cabinet upon advice from the Premier, interprets the constitution, ratifies international treaties, grants pardons, conducts elections for membership to the Supreme People’s Assembly and forms or abolishes ministries and commissions.North Korea is one of the most ethnically similar countries in the world-99.8 percent of the population is Korean. When the Supreme People’s Assembly is in recess, the Presidium debates and approves concerns such as the state’s economic plans and budget and new legislation. The Presidium congregates the Supreme People’s Assembly’s sessions. The institution is elected for the same term length as the sitting Supreme People’s Assembly. Membership of the organ is comprised of the President, Vice-Presidents, Secretary and members. The Presidium is mandated to oversee legislative affairs in place of the Supreme People’s Assembly. The Presidium of the Supreme People’s Assembly is the principal legislative institution in the country. Presidium Of The Government Of North Korea The Supreme People’s Assembly is regarded as nothing more than a rubber stamp since decisions are drafted by the Workers’ Party of Korea and the Presidium. The Assembly congregates once or twice a year in the capital Pyongyang to approve national budgets and legal amendments and to appoint the leadership and members of the National Defence Commission, Presidium, and Cabinet. In practice, only one name appears on the ballot paper, which is preapproved by the Democratic Front for the Reunification of the Fatherland. 687 deputies from individual constituencies are elected by secret ballot in five-year intervals. The Supreme People’s Assembly is the legislative arm of North Korea’s government. Supreme People’s Assembly Of The Government Of North Korea The Premier, in collaboration with the ministers, implements and directs national policies as determined by the Worker’s Party of Korea's Central Committee. As head of government, the Premier appoints the cabinet as well as three Vice Premiers. The Premier is also elected by the Supreme People’s Assembly. The Chief of State also leads the Presidium of the Supreme People’s Assembly. The Chief of State oversees the country’s security, both internal and external and heads the National Defense Commission (NDC). The current Chief of State, Kim Jong Un, was elected unopposed after the death of his father, Kim il-Sung. Since the country's liberation from Japanese occupation in 1945, the position has been hereditary. The Supreme leader of North Korea is the Chief of State, who is elected by the Supreme People’s Assembly. The government of North Korea holds tight control over the country. The Constitution in use was adopted by the country in 1998 and subsequently amended in 2009, 2012, 2013, and 2016. The government of North Korea subscribes to communist ideologies under a dictatorship. The East Asian country has its government structure fashioned on the Soviet model, where the primary principle is self-reliance on its national resources. It has been described as a socialist state and a totalitarian dictatorship. The government of the Democratic People's Republic of North Korea has been dominated by the ruling Workers’ Party of Korea since 1948.