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Please be advised that the Department of Foreign Affairs’ Travel Advice is now available at Ireland.ie/travel. Travel Advice on this webpage is no longer being updated. To ensure you receive the latest Travel Advice for North Korea, please see Ireland.ie.

Korea, Democratic Republic of (North Korea)

If you’re travelling to North Korea, our travel advice and updates give you practical tips and useful information.

Security Status

  • Normal precautions
  • High degree of caution
  • Avoid non-essential travel
  • Do not travel
  • Overview
  • Safety and Security
  • Local Laws and Customs
  • Natural Disasters and Climate
  • Additional Information
  • Embassy Contact

Overview

Overview

Security status

Avoid Non-Essential Travel

Latest Travel Alert

Entry to North Korea is highly restricted with the country yet to reopen after closing their border at the onset of COVID-19.  When it does become possible to travel to North Korea again, you should take precautions and monitor local media for updates. If you are planning travel via or onward to China, please make sure to check the travel advice for China, which is available here.

COVID-19 Entry Requirements

Entry to North Korea is highly restricted with the country yet to reopen after closing their border at the onset of COVID-19.

General Travel Advice

The Department of Foreign Affairs advises against non-essential travel to North Korea at this time.

In recent years, the number of missiles tests carried out by North Korea have increased significantly, underscoring the underlying unpredictability of the situation. The Embassy in Seoul is monitoring the situation and advises Irish citizens in Korea to be aware of and follow developments and to ensure that you are registered with the Embassy.

The political leadership in North Korea is the object of intense, organised reverence and lack of courtesy or perceived insults to, or jokes about, the North Korean political system and its leadership are severely frowned upon. If you travel to North Korea, you should avoid taking photographs of soldiers and officials or guarded or protected buildings. Reserved behaviour in public is the norm.

Because there is no Irish Embassy or Consulate in North Korea, we are limited in the support we can offer you in an emergency. However, if you need assistance, you can contact the Irish Embassy in Seoul.

Irish citizens require a visa to enter the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (North Korea).  For more information on entry to North Korea, please see the Additional Information tab.

Visitors to North Korea are advised to follow the guidance of national and local authorities and stay fully informed of what's going on by monitoring local news and social media.

Citizens can also follow the Embassy on social media @IrishEmbKorea ensure access to relevant updates and alerts.

Emergency Assistance

The best help is often close at hand so if you have problems or need emergency services, you will need to seek this information from local contacts, tour operator representative or hotel management.

Our tips for Safe Travels:

  • Get comprehensive travel insurance that covers all your planned activities.
  • Register your details with us so that we can contact you quickly if there’s an unforeseen crisis like a natural disaster or a family emergency.
  • Follow us on twitter @dfatravelwise for the latest travel updates.
  • Read our ‘Know Before You Go’ guide.

As there is no Irish Embassy in North Korea, we are limited in the help we can offer you in an emergency. However, if you need assistance, you can contact the Embassy of Ireland in Seoul.

Safety and Security

Safety and security

Political situation

Since the end of World War II, the Korean peninsula has been partitioned.  At the end of the Korean War in 1953, this partition was enforced when a 4km-wide de-militarised zone (DMZ) was created to separate North and South Korea. Peace has been maintained under an Armistice Agreement, however tensions rise and fall from time to time, and there have been infrequent military incidents, particularly along the DMZ border and maritime boundaries.

We recommend that you always stay in permitted areas and obey immediately any instructions from North Korean officials.

Foreign nationals have been arrested and detained in North Korea for activity which may not be deemed an offence in other countries.

Nuclear tests

North Korea carried out underground nuclear tests in 2006, 2009, 2013 and 2016. They lead to an increase in political and military tension on the peninsula. There has been no evidence of radiation fall-out from these tests.

Terrorism

The threat from terrorism in North Korea is low but there is always the risk of indiscriminate terrorist attacks anywhere in the world. 

Crime

Levels of crime against foreigners in North Korea are low and highly supervised group travel keeps visitors safe from crime. However, you should take sensible precautions: 

  • Don’t carry your credit card, travel tickets and money together - leave spare cash and valuables in a safe place. 
  • Don’t carry your passport unless absolutely necessary and leave a copy of your passport (and travel and insurance documents) with family or friends at home.

Scams

We’ve seen examples of scams involving ‘property deals’ in North Korea. This should immediately arouse suspicion as it’s virtually impossible for foreigners to own property in the country. 

Other risks include being detained at international airports for currency violations; being held against your will; being involved in a road accident (frequently in or around the airport); needing unexpected legal or court fee payments; or hospitalisation. 

The normal advice applies: common sense and no transfer of funds to strangers. If in doubt, refer the person to the nearest relevant Embassy or consular office.

Reporting crime

If you’re a victim of a crime while in North Korea, report it to the local police immediately. And you can contact us at the Irish Embassy in Seoul if you need help.

Driving

Infrastructure in North Korea is poor and dilapidated, which makes long distance travel challenging. If you’re planning on driving in North Korea, you’ll need a local licence, obtained by passing a local driving test. International driving licences are not valid in North Korea

Taxis

A limited number of taxis are sometimes available from hotels or outside department stores. However, they’re often reluctant to take you without a local guide/interpreter.

Local Laws and Customs

Local laws and customs

Remember, the local laws apply to you as a visitor and it is your responsibility to follow them. Be sensitive to local customs, traditions and practices as your behaviour may be seen as improper, hostile or may even be illegal.

Local culture

Reserved behaviour in public is the norm. Public displays of affection are not customary in Korean culture.

Avoid bringing religious books or any material that could be considered to be “anti-North Korean”.

LGBT

While there are no laws expressly prohibiting same-sex relationships in North Korea, homosexuality is not openly discussed and would not be considered acceptable by the authorities.

Local travel

Travel within North Korea is severely restricted. Carry identification papers at all times. Visitors will almost always be accompanied by a guide and will only be allowed to go to locations where the guide gives approval. For travel outside Pyongyang, it’s your guide's responsibility to get the necessary permissions. Military checkpoints at the entry and exit to provinces, counties and towns usually require proof of identity before allowing travel onward.

Foreigners who live in Pyongyang are usually able to travel freely within designated parts of the city, but permission is needed for travel outside of Pyongyang.

It is currently not possible to travel direct to South Korea from North Korea

Illegal drugs

Illegal drug use (no matter what the drug) carries stiff penalties, including fines and long prison terms. 

Photography

Restrictions on the use of cameras has eased somewhat, though we recommend always ensuring the guide’s permission before taking a photograph. Avoid taking photographs of officials or guarded or protected buildings.

Natural Disasters and Climate

Natural disasters and climate

Flooding

Due to widespread deforestation and following heavy rains and/or typhoons, North Korea can be very seriously affected by flooding and it’s not uncommon for fatalities to be reported along with damage to housing, infrastructure and crops. Responses and coping mechanisms to flooding are limited.

Additional Information

Additional information

Entry requirements (visa/passport)

Few Irish nationals visit North Korea and those who do are usually part of an organised tour. Solo travellers need a sponsor and permission from the Ministry for Foreign Affairs. This is normally only possible for business travellers, government officials and NGOs. For more information about entry requirements for North Korea contact the Embassy of North Korea in London. You can also check with them how long your passport must be valid for.

Passports

It is advisable to take a number of photocopies of your passport with you. During your stay you should carry a photocopy of your passport at all times.

Health

General

Check with your doctor well in advance of travelling to see if you need any vaccinations for North Korea. Be aware that medical care is extremely limited.

Language

Spoken English is confined to official guides and senior government officials.

Mobile phones

Visitors are generally not allowed to carry mobile phone and you’ll likely have to surrender your phone on entry to North Korea. It will be returned to you when you leave the country. Devices with GPS capabilities may also be held.

You can generally place calls, at a charge, from hotels to numbers outside North Korea, except numbers in South Korea.

Money

Local currency is the North Korean Won but you’ll need hard currency such as euro, dollars to make payments in country.

 

Embassy contact

Embassy Contact

We do not have an Embassy in the Democratic People's Republic of Korea, please contact Embassy of Ireland Republic of Korea Embassy at (822) 721-7200 where you will be given a separate number to call. This will put you in touch directly with an Embassy official.

If necessary, you can also make direct contact with the Consular Assistance Unit at the Department of Foreign Affairs in Dublin on +353 1 408 2000.

Embassy of Ireland
Leema Bldg. 13F
42, Jongro 1-gil
Jongro-gu
Seoul
Korea 110-755

Tel: +82 2 721 7200
Fax: +82 2 774 6458

Monday to Friday 09:00-12:30 and 13:30-17:00

Contact us