North Korea: main information about the country for a tourist

History and Politics

North Korea, officially the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK), is a country with deep historical roots and a complex political system. The origins of modern DPRK began with the division of the Korean Peninsula after World War II: the northern part came under the influence of the Soviet Union, while the southern part was under US control.

The war of 1950-1953 solidified this division, after which the DPRK began to build a centralized economy based on the Juche ideology — a concept of self-sufficiency developed by Kim Il Sung.

Geography and Population

​The DPRK occupies the northern part of the Korean Peninsula, bordered by China along the Yalu River, Russia along the Tumen River, and separated from the South by the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ).

Most of the territory is mountainous: about 80% of the country is covered with hills and mountains, the mountain system includes ancient ranges, and the highest point is the volcanic Mount Paektu, sacred to the Koreans.

The population of the DPRK is about 26 million people (estimate for 2025 based on tourism sources).

The official currency of DPRK is the Korean won. Nevertheless, tourists rarely use the local currency for everyday purchases: in tourist areas, hotels, and souvenir shops, euros, US dollars, and Chinese yuan are often accepted.

Important: currency exchange is usually carried out through an agency or at a hotel — there are almost no ATMs for foreigners, and it is extremely difficult to pay by card.

The climate of the DPRK is temperate continental, with distinct seasons.

• Winters are cold and dry — especially Siberian winds bring severe frosts.
• Summer is humid and hot, especially during the monsoon period (June–September), when most of the annual precipitation falls.
• Spring and autumn — transitional seasons, often considered the most pleasant for visiting: moderate temperatures, lower humidity, and picturesque nature.​

For tourists, the optimal time — from April to October: weather conditions are milder, and most tourist routes are available.

When planning a trip, consider the change of seasons:

• In spring and autumn: light multi-layered clothing — T-shirts, shirts, light jackets or windbreakers.
• In summer: clothing made of natural and breathable fabrics, preferably light shades, as high humidity + heat.
• In winter: warm clothing — down jackets, sweaters, thermal underwear, scarf, hat, warm boots.
• Also, consider bringing comfortable shoes for walking, especially if you plan excursions to the mountains or historical places.

• In North Korea, respect for leaders (the Kim family) is extremely important — one should behave seriously at monuments, memorials, and mausoleums, avoiding disrespectful gestures.
• Photography: important facilities such as monuments, government buildings, military sites — should only be photographed with the permission of a guide.
• Communication: tourists are always accompanied by a guide, and actions are strictly controlled — compliance with programs and routes is expected from you.
• Gifts and flowers: it may be appropriate to bring fresh flowers when visiting memorials or mausoleums, but it is important to consult with the guide about the rules.
• Modesty in clothing is welcomed — especially when visiting official or memorial sites.

• General safety for tourists is quite high if you follow the guide's instructions. According to official data, petty crime is almost nonexistent, while tourists rarely face the risk of violence.
  
• Road infrastructure in rural areas can be very limited: roads from Pyongyang to other regions are often not in the best condition, especially outside the city.
• Checkpoints: there are police and checks when leaving Pyongyang and during movement, documents must always be carried.
• Driving by foreigners: international driving licenses are not accepted — to drive in DPRK, a local license is required, and this process is not simple.
  

• Railways: train travel is possible, but schedules are often not published, and tickets are purchased through an agency.
• Cars: a limited number of cars can be rented through hotels — the price is usually fixed, and payment is often in foreign currency.
• Public transport: bus routes for tourists outside of tour groups may be limited and rarely available.
• Checkpoints: police posts are often encountered when traveling between cities and regions, especially on roads leading out of Pyongyang.
  

• The official language is Korean. Tourists usually communicate through a guide who translates tours and conversations.
• English is not widely spoken among the population, especially outside of Pyongyang or tourist sites.
• It is useful to know a few basic phrases: greetings, farewells, thank-yous — a guide can help overcome the language barrier.
  

• Mobile communication: the import of foreign phones may be restricted (according to some sources, devices are checked at the border).
• Roaming: international roaming generally does not work, or is very expensive; the use of local SIM cards for tourists is limited or impossible.
• Internet: access to free internet for tourists is extremely limited; Wi-Fi may be available only in some hotels, and the connection speed is often low.
  

• In Pyongyang, there are hospitals for tourists, such as the International "Friendship Hospital", but its resources are limited (there may be power outages, lack of medical equipment).
• Treatment can be expensive, tourists often have to pay in advance in cash, especially in foreign currency.
• In emergency cases, evacuation can be difficult, so insurance covering medical evacuation is mandatory.
  

• When traveling to the DPRK, medical insurance including evacuation is highly recommended, as internal medical resources are limited.
• Before issuing insurance, it is worth checking whether it covers treatment in the conditions of the DPRK, especially treatment in state hospitals.
• Many tour operators require that the insurance be active for the entire period of the trip and cover specific risks associated with traveling to the DPRK.
  
  You can get insurance on our website
  

• Korean cuisine in North Korea has a lot in common with South Korean: popular are cold noodles (naengmyeon), rice with vegetables and meat, hot soups and stews.
• Local dishes: among tourist spots you can try “inzogu-gibap” (mock meat), traditional Korean dishes and seafood dishes.
• Beverages: tea, soy milk, traditional alcohol (for example, soju), beer and coffee are becoming increasingly popular.
• Drinking water: it is safer to rely on water from verified sources or to drink bottled water, especially during tours.
  

• Tourism in North Korea is strictly controlled: all trips are organized through licensed agencies, and routes are predetermined.
• Tourists are accompanied by guides throughout their stay. Freedom of movement outside the agreed routes is limited.
• Accommodation: in tourist cities, especially in Pyongyang, there are several hotels for guests; infrastructure beyond major cities may be modest.
• Memorial and cultural sites (monuments, mausoleums, museums) are key points of visit.
  

• Family travelers: traveling with children is possible, but it is worth discussing all aspects with the tour operator in advance — safety, logistics, accommodation.
• Solo travelers: trips are also possible, but most tourists travel in groups with guides, so prepare for joint excursions and limited mobility.
• For both categories, it is important to study cultural norms in advance and be prepared to follow strict rules of conduct.
  

• Souvenirs: in tourist areas you can buy badges with portraits of leaders, books, postcards, posters, handicrafts.
• Stores: usually limited to tourist spots and hotels — the selection may be modest compared to other countries.
• Currency for purchases: it is better to have cash in euros or dollars for exchange, as plastic cards and local cash transactions for tourists are limited.