North Korea

Crime

North Korea does not release crime statistics.  

• Petty thefts have been reported at the airport in Pyongyang. 
• Do not buy counterfeit or pirated goods, even if they are widely available. Buying counterfeit and pirated goods is illegal in the United States and may be illegal in North Korea. 

Scams

• Follow the Department of State guidelines to protect yourself from scams.
• If you are a victim of a scam, learn how the FBI can help.

Victims of crime 

• Local authorities are responsible for investigating and prosecuting crime. You may report crimes by asking your host to contact police on your behalf.  
• Review our information on help for U.S. victims of crime abroad.

Lost or stolen passports 

• If your passport is lost or stolen in North Korea, contact the Embassy of Sweden in Pyongyang.  As the protecting power for the United States, they can contact a U.S. embassy or consulate and get a replacement passport for you.  
• You will also need a replacement visa for China. 

Tourism 

• You will need a special validation passport to visit North Korea. 
• Special validation passports are granted only under very limited circumstances, or if the trip is in the national interest of the United States.  
• Tourists participate in activities at their own risk.  
• Emergency response and medical treatment are not available.  
• U.S. citizens are encouraged to purchase medical evacuation insurance.  
• The Department of State provides information on insurance for coverage abroad. 

Arrest Notification

If you are arrested or detained, ask police or prison officials to notify the Embassy of Sweden immediately. 

Unique laws in North Korea

• Protections under the U.S. legal system do not apply.  
• Your U.S. passport does not give you special status. 
• Your local host may be able to give you information. However, do not assume your host will help you if you are arrested. 
• Your host may share information about you with North Korean authorities, even if you do not want them to. 

Unique actions considered crimes in North Korea 

In North Korea, it is a crime to: 

• Disrespect North Korea's leaders—Kim Il Sung, Kim Jong Il, or Kim Jong Un—physically or verbally. 
• Mishandle items bearing their names or images of North Korean leaders, including money, newspapers, and political slogans. 
• Take photos of statues of North Korean leaders that in any way could be considered disrespectful, including by cropping or cutting off parts of the image. 
• Remove or tamper with political slogans and signs. 
• Enter North Korea without required travel documents. 
• Have printed or digital material that is critical or hostile to North Korea. This includes e-book readers, DVDs, USB drives, documents, literature, and audio or video files. 
• Promote religious activities. This includes activities that may be considered religious, like leaving behind religious materials, either on purpose or by accident.  
• Take part in political activities without official approval.  
• Engage in unauthorized interactions and conversations with North Koreans. 
• Take unauthorized photographs. 
• Travel alone or without a government minder, without authorization, even for short distances. 
• Exchange currency with an unauthorized vendor. 
• Shop at stores not designated for foreigners. 
• Bring pornography into the country. 

No privacy in North Korea

All electronic and media devices are subject to search for banned content, especially when entering and exiting North Korea. This includes USB drives, CDs, DVDs, mobile phones, tablets, laptops, and internet browser histories and cookies.

• Your personal belongings in hotel rooms may be searched.
• Hotel rooms may be monitored. 
• If local authorities allow you to keep your mobile phone when you enter the country, it will not work unless you use the North Korea mobile provider. This allows authorities to monitor your calls.
• GPS devices and satellite phones are illegal in North Korea.
• Several hosts, guides, or minders will keep track of you. They may be held responsible for your behavior.

Criminal penalties 

North Korea has detained at least 16 U.S. citizens in the past 10 years. U.S. citizens must follow local laws and guidance. If you break local laws, even by mistake, or are suspected of breaking local laws, you may be: 

• Held in isolation without charges for lengthy periods of time. 
• Interrogated without legal counsel or a lawyer. 
• Compelled to draft a public confession. 
• Tried, convicted, or sentenced to prison. 

You may be prosecuted in the U.S. for crimes committed abroad regardless of the local law. Review the information provided by the U.S. Department of Justice about crimes against minors abroad. 

No freedom of information 

North Korea officials heavily restrict activity by journalists. The government aims to prevent any unauthorized information from being released that differs from official narratives or includes criticism of North Korean leaders. It also aims to limit questions that criticize North Korea’s policies, actions, or public statements. 

• North Korea has confiscated “objectionable material” from foreign journalists.  
• Journalists who “challenged” the regime have been deported, arrested, or detained on criminal charges.  
• For more on North Korea’s lack of freedom of information, review the Department of State’s Human Rights Report for North Korea. 

U.S. economic sanctions against North Korea 

North Korea remains one of the most heavily sanctioned countries in the world. 

• Many North Korean entities, including government agencies, are “blocked persons.” U.S. sanctions generally prohibit transactions involving a blocked person, absent authorization from  the Department of the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control.   
• Most U.S. exports to North Korea require a license from the Department of Commerce’s Bureau of Industry and Security. The import and export of goods, services, and technology from or to North Korea are generally prohibited unless authorized by the Department of the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control..

Customs regulations 

Local authorities can take documents that the government considers to be pornographic, religious, or are politically critical.  This includes: 

• Literature 
• Audio and video files 
• Computer equipment  
• DVDs 
• USB drives and other digital media    

Dual nationality 

• North Korea does not recognize dual nationality.  
• If you are of Korean heritage – even if you are a U.S. citizen – North Korean authorities may consider you subject to 10 years of military service in North Korea. 
• North Korea may also impose taxes on foreign source income.   
• Review our information on Dual Nationality.

Counterfeit and pirated goods 

Counterfeit and pirated goods are common in many destinations.  

• They may be illegal according to local laws.   
• Counterfeit and pirated goods may pose significant risks to consumer health and safety.   
• You may be subject to fines or have to surrender counterfeit and pirated goods to authorities if you bring them back to the United States.   

Learn more about U.S. restrictions on counterfeit and pirated goods:  

• U.S. Customs and Border Protection  
• U.S. Department of Justice   

Faith-based travelers 

Religious activities are illegal in North Korea. This includes any activity that may be considered religious, such as bringing in, creating or leaving behind religious materials, either on purpose or by accident.  

Faith-based travel includes pilgrimages, service projects, and mission work. Prepare for your travel using these resources: 

• Faith-Based Travel
• Volunteering Abroad 
• International Religious Freedom Reports

Gay and lesbian travelers 

• There are no legal restrictions on consensual same-sex sexual relations. 
• Same-sex sexual relations are considered a foreign phenomenon in North Korea.   
• North Korea claims there are no gay or lesbian people in North Korea, so the organization of events focused on sexual orientation is not possible in North Korea. 
• Open displays of affection are not accepted, including for opposite-sex couples. 
• Tips for Gay and Lesbian Travelers.  

Human rights 

Review the Department of State’s Human Rights Report  for your destination prior to traveling. 

Travelers with accessibility needs

• Accessibility is common in hotels and medical facilities. 
• Expect accessibility to be limited on streets and sidewalks. 
• Review our information on accessibility needs.

Studying abroad

• Tips for Students Abroad  

Women travelers 

• Tips for Women Travelers  

Health resources  

• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) 
• CDC Travelers’Health Information  
• CDC Medical Tourism information  
• Travel Insurance  
• Medicine and Health

Healthcare facilities  

Do not travel to North Korea, especially If you have medical problems. 

• You cannot use credit cards or checks in North Korea. 
• Medical facilities in North Korea may lack basic resources and supplies, including electricity. 
• Medical personnel may not be trained or have outdated skills.   
• Hospitals in Pyongyang can do basic exams and lifesaving treatments. But they often lack advanced medical equipment, including x-ray machines.  
• Avoid surgery.   
• There may be no medical care available outside Pyongyang and travel back to Pyongyang may be difficult.   
• Hospitals will expect immediate cash payment in U.S. dollars for medical treatment. 

Medical evacuations 

Local North Korea hosts often don’t know about medical evacuation options. They might say that no such options are available.  

• Contact the Embassy of Sweden for assistance in a medical emergency. They may be able to set up a medical evacuation to Beijing in 1 day. If you are outside Pyongyang, it will take longer. They may be able to arrange flight clearances for private air ambulances. 
• Medical air evacuation costs can vary. International SOS estimates an evacuation from Pyongyang to Beijing is about 40,000 USD. This includes costs for doctors, nurses, aircraft, and flight clearance. 
• The General Bureau of the Koryo Civil Aviation of North Korea states that it offers 24/7 service. Authorities say they approve requests for air clearance within 24 hours.   
• Medical evacuations by commercial airlines are limited. Air Koryo operates from Pyongyang to Beijing, Shenyang, and Vladivostok. Air China operates between Pyongyang and Beijing.   
• Air Koryo flights go to Shanghai only on a charter basis in the tourist season, April through October.   
• To transit through China, you and any medical escorts need Chinese visas before leaving North Korea. Even in an emergency, it may take several days to get transit visas.   
• Evacuation to South Korea through the Demilitarized Zone is not allowed. 

Resources for medical evacuations

Contact these emergency medical providers. Ask if they have medical evacuation insurance or support for travelers going to North Korea: 

International SOS 

• Dial +400-818-0767 in China 
• Dial +86-10-6462-9100 outside China

United Healthcare Global Assistance

• Dial 1-410-453-6330 to the United States 
• Dial +10-8888-800-527-0218 from China
• Dial +86-10-6595-8510 to China

Prescription medications 

• Always carry your prescription medication in original packaging, along with your doctor’s prescription. 
• North Korea custom officials say that most prescription medication may be brought into the country with no restrictions. 
• U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) have rules for bringing medication back into the United States.  If you buy medications abroad, the medications must meet CBP’s and the FDA’s requirements to bring them back legally.  
• The medications must also be for personal use and approved for use in the United States.  

For more information:  

• U.S. Customs and Border Protection  
• Food and Drug Administration 

Vaccinations 

Stay up to date with the vaccines recommended by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. 

• CDC Travelers’ Health page 
• World Health Organization Travel Advice 
• Tuberculosis is a serious health concern in North Korea.  

Water quality and food safety

• If you have special dietary requirements, bring food with you to North Korea.  
• Restaurants have limited menus. They may not meet your dietary needs. 

Medical payments and insurance  

Make sure you know if your health insurance plan covers any medical expenses coverage abroad.  Most U.S. plans do not cover medical expenses abroad.  

• The U.S. government does not pay medical bills. 
• U.S. Medicare and Medicaid do not cover expenses or bills abroad.  
• U.S. citizens are responsible for all costs in detention or incarceration in North Korea. This includes lodging, food, telephone calls, and hospital bills.  
• Make sure your health insurance plan covers medical expenses in North Korea.   
• Most care providers overseas only accept cash payments.  
• We strongly recommend supplemental insurance to cover medical evacuation. 

Air quality 

Air pollution can be a significant problem in many destinations overseas. 

• Check  NASA’s Air Quality Forecast. It uses Artificial Intelligence (AI), historical data, and global pollution modeling to generate a 3-day forecast of expected air quality in North Korea.  
• For information about common air pollutants, check the  CDC’s Air Quality page.  
• For information about the U.S. Air Quality Index and health guidance, check out the EPA’s AirNow.  
• Review our general health information on Medicine and Health.

For further health information, go to: 

• World Health Organization (WHO) 
• U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)

Traffic safety and road conditions

• Road conditions and driving habits vary a lot from those in the United States.  
• You must have a valid North Korea driver’s license to drive in North Korea.   
• Bicycles are unavailable for rental or purchase. 

Aviation safety oversight  

There is no direct commercial air service between the United States and North Korea. The U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has not assessed North Korea’s Civil Aviation Authority for compliance international standards for aviation safety oversight.  FAA’s website includes more information on its assessment program.   

• The FAA has issued Special Federal Aviation Regulation (SFAR) 79 which prohibits U.S. civil aviation from flying in the Pyongyang Flight Information Region (FIR) west of 132 degrees east longitude.  
• The FAA has advised those flying in and around the Pyongyang (FIR)  east of 132 degrees east longitude to be aware of possible GPS interruptions.   

Maritime safety oversight  

Mariners and passengers planning travel to North Korea should check the following: 

• U.S. Coast Guard Homeport Directory
• U.S. Department of Transportation Maritime Advisories
• MARAD Active Maritime Alerts
• Maritime Safety Office Navigational Warnings

Weather conditions

Seasonal flooding between July and September:

• Lead to landslides and damage to infrastructure damage.
• Limit access to transportation and essential services, especially in rural areas. 

Typhoons between August and September:

• Bring strong winds, heavy rain, flooding, and power outages.
• Damage infrastructure and recovery capacity may be limited. 

Severe winter conditions between December and February:

• Bring extreme cold, heavy snow, and icy roads.
• Strain heating infrastructure.
• Limit access to medical care, especially outside Pyongyang. 

Sweden as protecting power

There is no U.S. embassy or consulate in North Korea. U.S. citizens in North Korea seeking assistance should contact the Embassy of Sweden in Pyongyang, which serves as a protecting power for the United States. 

• Sweden provides limited emergency consular services for Australia, Canada, and the United States, which do not have embassies in North Korea.  
• The United States has no diplomatic or consular relations with North Korea. 
• The U.S. government is unable to provide emergency or routine consular services to U.S. citizens in North Korea. 
• North Korea routinely delays or denies consular access to U.S. citizens. 
• Even if the Embassy of Sweden in Pyongyang requests access, U.S. citizens may be denied consular visits or other contact with non-North Korean officials. 
• North Korea is a signatory to the Vienna Convention on Consular Relations, but detained U.S. citizens are often denied consular visits.