North Korea (officially Democratic People's Republic of Korea or DPRK) is a country in Eastern Asia. It occupies the northern half of the Korean Peninsula that lies between Korea Bay and the Sea of Japan. It borders China and Russia to the north and South Korea to the south. Travel to North Korea is only possible as part of a guided tour. Independent travel is not permitted. Only go if you are prepared to avoid causing any kind of trouble, bow to statues and only praise North Korea.
Regions Map of North Korea
Cities
Other destinationsUnderstandHistoryIn 1910, Korea was annexed by Japan. Japanese occupation lasted until 1945 when Japan was defeated by the Allied Forces at the end of World War II. The Soviet Union and the United States occupied the northern half and southern half respectively. The Soviet Union refused to allow elections for a unified Korea, and before long both sides created their own governments. The Soviet Union fostered a communist northern half under Kim Il Sung and the United States fostered a western-leaning southern half. In 1950, a civil war erupted on the Korean peninsula when the North invaded the South and a United Nations force led by the United States fought to stop the whole peninsula being overrun by a Communist army. After nearly being driven out of Korea, Douglas MacArthur's daring amphibious landing at Inchon turned the tables and the North was on the verge of defeat, when China stepped in on their side and pushed the UN forces back towards Seoul. In the end, nothing was accomplished except the death of over three million people — an armistice was finally agreed to in 1953 and Korea remained divided with the Democratic People's Republic of Korea in the north, and the Republic of Korea in the south. Kim Il-Sung ruled as dictator until his death in 1994, and his son Kim Jong-Il has ruled North Korea ever since. After decades of government mismanagement, the North relies heavily on international food aid to feed its population, while continuing to expend resources to maintain an army of about 1 million. North Korea's long-range missile development and research into nuclear, chemical, and biological weapons and massive conventional armed forces are of major concern to the international community. In December 2002, North Korea repudiated a 1994 agreement that shut down its nuclear reactors and expelled UN monitors, further raising fears it would produce nuclear weapons. Missile testing, last conducted in 1998, continued in July 2006, leading to the possibility of international economic sanctions in the near future. PeopleIn North Korea, the vast majority of people are Korean. There are also a few hundred foreigners to be found, however, most of them are fellow tourists. ClimateThe climate is temperate with rainfall concentrated in summer. Late spring droughts are often followed by severe flooding. There are occasional typhoons during the early fall. TerrainMostly hills and mountains separated by deep, narrow valleys; coastal plains wide in west, discontinuous in east. Mountainous interior is isolated and sparsely populated. HolidaysGet in Visiting North Korea is a bureaucratic nightmare, and your every move will be monitored by your guides. There are those who have called for a boycott on tourism to North Korea, due to human rights abuses in the country or how tourism may help finance the government. There is no official free enterprise activity in North Korea, and all tourist facilities are state-owned so the money goes directly to the government of North Korea. Others cite the possible benefits of Westerners engaging with North Korean citizens, particularly in a positive, friendly manner (i.e. contrary to the stereotypes of Westerners presented by internal propaganda) — although your guides will generally do their best to stop you from actually meeting any ordinary citizens. Ordinary North Koreans are forbidden to interact with you without authorization from the government. Regardless of political beliefs, North Korea is generally acknowledged to be a unique place to visit. The traveller must make his or her own mind up about the rights and wrongs of visiting the country. Citizens of the United States of America, South Korea and people of South Korean origin are normally not permitted to visit North Korea, although exceptions are occasionally made for special events such as the Arirang Mass Games. In addition, there have been reports of difficulties regarding Israeli and Japanese nationals. Citizens of all other countries will need a visa, which will only be issued after your tour has been booked, approved by the North Korean authorities and paid for. Journalists (or those suspected of being journalists) require special permission, which is quite difficult to obtain. A specialist North Korean travel agency can help you sort out the complex and ever-changing regulations. It should be noted that North Korea will rarely in practice refuse a visa to a tourist who meets the various requirements. Most people travelling to North Korea will travel through Beijing. It is most likely you will pick up your visa from there. The North Korean consulate building is separate from the main embassy building at Ritan Lu, and can be found round the corner at Fangcaodi Xijie. It is open on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays from 0930-1130 and 1400-1730, and on all other days except Sundays from 0930-1130. Bring your travel permission, US$30 and two passport photos. Visa-free entryThere are two places in North Korea that can be visited without actually needing a North Korean visa:
Both are also accessible to Americans and South Koreans, although a different list of restricted nationalities applies for Panmunjom (see article). By planeNorth Korea's sole airline, Air Koryo, currently has scheduled flights from Beijing, which depart at 1130 every Tuesday and Saturday, and return from P'yŏngyang at 0900 on the same days. Air Koryo also flies to and from Shenyang in North East China every Wednesday and Saturday, and to Vladivostok every Tuesday morning. In the Summer there are also flights (usually twice weekly) to Khabarovsk, also in Russia. By trainTrain services connect to Beijing in China via Tianjin, Jinxi, Dandong and Shinuiju approximately four times a week. There is only one class on the international train between Beijing and Pyongyang: soft sleeper. There is also a train line into Russia, but it is currently not used. By boatThere is an unscheduled cargo-passenger ship between Wonsan and Niigata, Japan. It is only available for use by some Japanese and North Korean nationals, and has now been banned from leaving/entering Niigata until at least the beginning of 2007. Get aroundAll your transport needs will be dealt with by your tour company. There may be some opportunities to see local public transport, especially the P'yŏngyang metro. Enquire with your guide to see if this is possible. TalkThe official language is Korean. Note that North Koreans are quite picky about referring to Korean as Chosŏnmal, not hangungmal. Unlike South Korea, North Korea has abolished Chinese hanja characters and uses hangul characters, known as Chosŏn'gŭl, exclusively. Your guides will speak perfect English and will do all the translating for you. BuyIn 2002 Foreign Exchange Certificates (FEC) were abolished and along with them went all the different coloured currencies. Now there is just the standard North Korean won, which officially trades at 165 or so to the Euro. Black market rates (especially in northern China near the border) are more favorable, but importing or exporting Korean won is strictly forbidden. Conversely, were you to sneak out some won, they are practically worthless outside the country, but make unique souvenirs. In reality, foreigners are expected to use Euros or as an alternative Chinese RMB, US Dollars or Japanese Yen. Getting the local money is possible, but it is difficult to use as the shops all want foreign currency. Currency handling is often bizarre, with a frequent lack of change and a number of rule-of-thumb conversions leading to highly unorthodox transactions. SouvenirsThere are numerous hard-currency only souvenir shops at tourist sites. Interesting souvenirs include propaganda books and videos, postcards and postage stamps. CostsYou will pay for most things up-front as part of your tour. Most sights have a shop associated with them where you can buy bottled water, souvenirs and snacks. These are reasonably priced. In May 2002 large bottles of local beer cost US$1 at the hotel bars. EatDespite severe food shortages in North Korea, you are unlikely to have any problems getting food. Your guide will order all your food for you, and you will eat in hard-currency only restaurants. Vegetarians, and people with food allergies/dislikes of common foods such as seafood or eggs will need to make arrangements in advance. A visit to a "real" local restaurant may be possible; enquire with your guide. Note that although your food is better than what 95%+ of the population eats, it's still not necessarily great. Shortages combined with the typical use of Korean cooking styles mean that there is a relatively limited variety of food, which can get wearying on tours of more than a few days. DrinkThe local speciality is insam-ju, Korean vodka infused with ginseng roots. Locally made Taedonggang beer is very good (brewery imported from Ushers in the UK) and some of the Sojus are not bad either. Local alcohol is inexpensive; a 650mL bottle of beer is 0.5 euro. However do not get drunk and cause trouble. Toe the line and show respect, or you and your guide will face serious penalties. SleepThis is likely to be your principal expense while in North Korea. You may only stay at "designated tourist hotels", for which you will need to pay in hard currency. There may be discounts if you ask for lower class accommodation, if you are travelling as part of a group, or if it is low season (November - March). Costs for your tour, which will include accommodation, all sightseeing activities and meals, will range from US$70 - US$200 a day, depending on these factors. LearnWorkIf you are interested in teaching in North Korea, you may find success by contacting the North Korean UN Mission in New York, or contacting a North Korean university directly. Your odds of success are, however, quite low: there are only 3 foreign English teachers in DPRK, all provided by the British Council and all work at Kim Il Sung University. Stay safeCrime levels are practically zero, at least to tourists on a strictly controlled tour. However, pickpockets are the least of your worries. The secret police are very touchy, and you need to watch what you say. Just do what the guides do, praise every stop on your tour, and remember the "if you can't say anything good, say nothing at all" rule.
Stay healthyDrinking water might be safe, although sticking to bottled water is recommended. Medical facilities are basic, and if you fall ill you might be better off returning to China for treatment. Contact your embassy or consulate in North Korea (if your country has one) for assistance. US citizens may contact the Swedish Embassy in Pyongyang for advice if needed. RespectIt is important to emphasize that the government of the DPRK -- in particular the leaders Kim Il Sung and Kim Jong Il -- are very highly revered in North Korean culture. While slavish devotion is not necessary (at least for tourists, although the more praise you shower on them the better), insulting them in any way is not appropriate or even legal and will get you and your guides into trouble. In North Korea 'in trouble' does not mean a slap on the wrist - North Korea is renowned for very harsh punishments. Bringing gifts like doughnuts or skin cream for female guides, etc. is a nice gesture. Do not give anything to the local North Koreans or even try to speak to them without permission from your guides. Please be respectful toward your guides, especially since North Korean guides are known to occasionally take tourists whom they trust well enough to see other places and events in North Korea that they wouldn't ordinarily go to. Most, if not all, tour groups to the DPRK are asked to solemnly bow on one or two occasions in front of statues of Kim Il Sung when visiting monuments of national importance. If you are not prepared to do this, don't even try to enter North Korea. Any trouble you cause as a tourist will likely be blamed on your tour guide's inability to control you, and he or she will bear the brunt of the penalties. Other than your tour guide, you will likely not meet anyone else in your trip who speaks English; a few Korean words and phrases are a nice internationalist gesture. Despite the sharp political difference, North and South Koreans generally share a common culture; the various tips in the South Korea article under respect (such as using two hands to pour drinks) will also help here. ContactAll those contemplating travel to North Korea should call the nearest North Korean Embassy or Consulate for specific entry requirements. The United States of America does not currently maintain diplomatic relations with North Korea. Americans who end up getting a rare visa to travel to North Korea are advised to go WITH THEIR GUIDES to the Swedish Embassy in Pyongyang if there should be any trouble. The Swedish Embassy operates international shelter services meaning any person can be protected within its grounds, it also offers limited consular services to non-swedish people
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