Genvisec advises that all business and leisure travel should continue to North Korea ensuring compliance with international sanctions. 

 

Crime

 

Crime against foreigners in North Korea is rare. Take sensible precautions to protect your belongings.

 

Local travel

 

Tourists can normally only travel to North Korea as part of an organised tour. Independent travellers will need a sponsor and permission from the Ministry for Foreign Affairs. This is normally only possible for business travellers.

 

Travel within the country is severely restricted. Whether you are visiting on business or as a tourist, you will almost always be accompanied by a guide and will only be allowed to go where your guide is content for you to go. For travel outside Pyongyang, it is your guide’s responsibility to get the necessary permissions. Military checkpoints at the entry and exit to all towns usually include ID checks.

 

In 2008 a South Korean tourist who strayed into a restricted military area was shot dead. Take care to remain in permitted areas and move away immediately if asked to do so by North Korean officials.

 

Foreigners living in Pyongyang are usually able to travel freely within the city, but permission is often required for travel outside Pyongyang.

 

It is not possible to travel directly to South Korea from North Korea, unless you are making an official visit to the Kaesong Industrial Complex.

 

Road travel

 

Taxis are sometimes available from hotels or outside department stores, but they will be reluctant to take you without a local guide or interpreter.

 

International Driving Permits are not valid in North Korea. Foreigners living in North Korea must get a local driving licence by passing a local driving test.

 

Rail travel

 

The domestic network is small, equipment is old and trains are subject to delays because of electricity shortages. There is a rail service between Pyongyang and Beijing via Sinuiju/Dandong (North Korean and Chinese border towns) 4 times a week, although delays are frequent and facilities on board are basic.

 

Air travel

 

Most travellers enter North Korea on direct flights from Beijing to Pyongyang operated by Air China and Air Koryo, the North Korean national airline. Air Koryo also operates regular international flights to Shenyang and Vladivostok and occasional flights to other, mostly domestic, destinations.

 

All aircraft operated by Air Koryo, with the exception of two Tupolev Tu204, have been refused permission to operate services to the EU because they do not meet international safety standards.

 

Air Koryo is still used by some members of Pyongyang’s international community, including businesspeople, diplomats and International Organisations. Foreign and Commonwealth Office staff avoid using Air Koryo unless it is operationally essential.

 

Political situation

 

Since the end of the Korean War in 1953, the Korean peninsula has been divided by a de-militarised zone (DMZ) separating the DPRK and the Republic of Korea. Peace has been maintained under an Armistice Agreement.

 

The level of tension on the Korean peninsula can change with little notice. It increased after the sinking of the South Korean Navy Ship Cheonan and an artillery attack against Yeonpyeong Island in 2010; when DPRK carried out two missile tests in 2012; after a nuclear test in 2013; and during regular South Korean-US military exercises.

 

Local laws and customs

Insults or jokes about the North Korean political system and its leadership are severely frowned upon. Foreigners have sometimes found themselves in trouble for not paying what was deemed to be a sufficient level of respect – including not treating images of the leader with care.

 

Although there is no specific legislation outlawing homosexuality in North Korea, same sex relationships are considered unacceptable by the authorities.

 

Any technology incorporating Global Positioning Systems must be left with North Korean customs on entry into the country and collected on departure. Foreign mobile phones can be brought into the country but must be registered at the airport. They can only be used in North Korea by purchasing a North Korean SIM card.

 

Avoid bringing books or other written material in the Korean language, including anything with religious content. Any literature deemed subversive or pornographic by the DPRK authorities risk being confiscated. There have been recent cases of travel guides being confiscated at the airport on arrival; they are usually returned on departure.

 

Consider carefully any films or television programmes that you bring into the country, either on DVD or on data storage devices. Those deemed to have an anti-DPRK government message may be confiscated and you may face detention as a result.

 

Tipping is officially frowned upon, but is increasingly expected by some hotel staff.

 

Always carry some form of identification. Hotels will want passports for registration, but these can usually be reclaimed quickly.

 

Ask permission before taking photographs. Avoid taking photographs of North Korean officials or guarded buildings.

 

Money

While prices are listed in local currency foreigners usually pay in foreign currency and shops and restaurants catering to foreigners will convert the Won price into foreign currency using the official exchange rate.

 

The Euro and US Dollar are the most widely accepted currencies, although Chinese RMB is accepted in some places. The import and export of local currency is prohibited. Import and export of foreign currency is unrestricted, but subject to declaration on arrival. Credit cards and travellers’ cheques are not accepted. Some hotels may insist on full payment in advance when checking in.

 

Health

Health facilities in North Korea are poor. Standards of clinical hygiene in hospitals are low. Anaesthetics are sometimes unavailable. Evacuation is likely to be necessary for serious illness or injury. Avoid surgery if at all possible. Facilities for dental treatment are also poor.

 

Make sure you take sufficient supplies of any medication that you may need. Most foreign-manufactured medicines aren’t available. Even when they are, they’re sometimes out of date and inappropriately prescribed. Local medical supplies, including oriental medicines exist, but can also be limited.

 

Make sure you have adequate travel health insurance and accessible funds to cover the cost of any medical treatment abroad and repatriation. If you’re participating in any sporting activities like running, skiing or cycling, make sure this is covered in your insurance

 

Japanese encephalitis occurs in North Korea, especially during the summer. Cholera also occurs and all water is a potential health risk. You should drink or use only boiled or bottled water and avoid ice in drinks.

 

Visas

 

You will need a visa to enter North Korea. For further information contact the Embassy of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK) in your home country.

 

You must register with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs if your visit is for more than twenty-four hours. Most hotels will automatically complete this process on your behalf.

 

Passport validity

 

Your passport should be valid for the proposed duration of your stay. No additional period of validity beyond this is required.

 

The DPRK authorities have confirmed they will accept British passports extended by 12 months by British Embassies and Consulates under additional measures put in place in mid-2014.

 

Emergency Travel Documents

 

Emergency Travel Documents (ETDs) are accepted for entry and exit from DPRK through China. You may be required to show a police report indicating how you lost your full passport.

 

Yellow Fever

 

Yellow Fever vaccination is required for travellers arriving from countries with risk of yellow fever transmission.

 

Travelling with children

 

Single parents or other adults travelling alone with children should be aware that some countries need documentary evidence of parental responsibility before allowing lone parents to enter the country, or in some cases, before permitting the children to leave the country. 

 

Natural disasters

Flooding is common in the rainy season (July to August). This can disrupt travel especially to rural areas. Check that routes are passable before setting out on long journeys.