Travel to North Korea: Safety, Risks, and What You Need to Know

Planning to travel to North Korea? Often referred to as the “Hermit Kingdom,” North Korea (officially the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea or DPRK) remains one of the world’s most isolated and mysterious countries. While undeniably intriguing, travel to North Korea comes with significant risks and complexities that potential visitors must understand. This comprehensive guide, drawing upon official travel advisories and safety information, will delve into what you need to consider before contemplating a trip to this unique and often misunderstood nation.

Understanding the Risk Level: Why “Avoid All Travel” is the Standard Advisory

For many nations, including Canada, the standard travel advisory for North Korea is “Avoid all travel.” This is the highest level of warning, reserved for countries where the risk to personal safety is deemed extreme. This strong advisory is primarily due to:

Risk of Arbitrary Detention: North Korea has a track record of detaining foreign nationals for actions that would be considered minor or even legal in most other countries. These detentions can be lengthy, and the reasons are often unclear.
Uncertain Security Situation: North Korea’s ongoing nuclear weapons development program and its highly repressive regime contribute to an unpredictable and potentially volatile security environment. Tensions on the Korean Peninsula can escalate rapidly.
Limited Consular Assistance: Canada, like many Western nations, does not have a resident embassy in North Korea. Sweden acts as Canada’s protecting power, but their ability to provide consular assistance to Canadians detained in North Korea is severely limited due to the strict controls imposed by the North Korean government.

This “Avoid all travel” advisory is not taken lightly and reflects a genuine concern for the safety and security of travelers.

Safety and Security in North Korea: Navigating a Complex Landscape

Despite the allure of experiencing a truly unique destination, potential travelers must be fully aware of the safety and security realities in North Korea.

Border Closures and Entry Challenges

Since 2020, North Korea has maintained strict border closures for travelers from most countries. Entering the country is exceptionally difficult and may be impossible depending on your nationality and current policies. If you are considering travel, it is crucial to check the most up-to-date entry regulations and understand that you may be denied entry even with a valid visa.

If You Choose to Travel Against Advisory:

Despite the strong “avoid all travel” advisory, some individuals may still choose to visit North Korea. If you decide to proceed, it is imperative to:

Register with your Embassy: For Canadian citizens, register with the Embassy of Canada to the Republic of Korea in Seoul and the Embassy of Sweden to North Korea in Pyongyang. This registration can help facilitate limited consular assistance if needed.

Risk of Detention and Consular Access Limitations

The risk of arbitrary detention is arguably the most significant safety concern in North Korea. Several factors contribute to this risk:

Strict Government Control: The North Korean government exerts total control over all aspects of life, including the movements and activities of foreigners.
Limited Knowledge of Legal Systems: The North Korean police and judicial systems are opaque and operate under their own rules, with limited transparency or due process as understood internationally.
Consular Access Restrictions: Even when foreign nationals are detained, consular access is heavily controlled and not guaranteed. Assistance from your embassy may be severely limited, especially if you are detained outside of Pyongyang.

Lack of Privacy and Surveillance:

Privacy as understood in most democratic nations simply does not exist in North Korea. Expect:

Constant Surveillance: Your movements, communications, and activities will likely be under constant surveillance.
Searches of Belongings: Your personal belongings, including electronic devices like phones and laptops, can be searched at any time. Authorities may review all stored content.

Tensions on the Korean Peninsula: An Unpredictable Factor

The Korean Peninsula is a region with long-standing geopolitical tensions. These tensions can escalate with little to no warning, potentially impacting your safety and security.

Nuclear and Missile Tests: North Korea’s nuclear and missile programs frequently lead to heightened tensions, especially before, during, and after tests.
Military Exercises: Military exercises conducted by either North or South Korea, or their allies, can also increase tensions.
Border Incidents: Even minor incidents or military activities along the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ) separating North and South Korea can quickly escalate the security situation.

Limited Access to Information:

Access to international news and media within North Korea is extremely restricted. You may be unaware of events unfolding outside of your immediate vicinity that could directly affect your safety. This lack of information transparency adds another layer of risk for travelers.

Petty Crime and General Safety

While violent crime targeting foreigners is rare, petty crime does occur, particularly at Pyongyang Sunan International Airport.

Petty Theft: Be vigilant against pickpocketing and theft of personal belongings, especially in crowded areas.
Secure Your Documents: Keep your passport, travel documents, and valuables in a secure place at all times.

Restrictions on Movement and Transportation

Independent travel is strictly forbidden in North Korea.

No Driving for Foreigners: Foreigners are not permitted to drive.
Guided Tours Only: All travel must be arranged through authorized tour operators, and you will be accompanied by government-assigned guides at all times.
Restricted Travel Zones: Travel is heavily restricted to pre-approved tourist areas. Deviating from these areas is not allowed.
Road Conditions: Major highways are generally in good condition, but rural roads can be hazardous.

Checkpoints and Security Presence

Expect a pervasive security presence throughout North Korea.

Frequent Checkpoints: Police and military checkpoints are common throughout the country.
Identification Checks: You may be asked to show identification at any time.
Compliance is Key: If stopped at a checkpoint, remain calm, be polite, and strictly follow the instructions of security forces.

Air Travel Safety

It is important to note that assessments regarding the safety compliance of North Korean domestic airlines with international standards are not publicly available. Travelers should be aware of this lack of independent safety verification.

Entry and Exit Requirements for North Korea: Navigating Bureaucracy

Entry and exit regulations for North Korea are complex and subject to change without notice. It is your responsibility to ensure you meet all requirements.

Passport Validity

Six Months Validity: Your passport must be valid for at least six months beyond your intended date of departure from North Korea.
Check with Transportation Company: Airlines and other transportation providers may have stricter passport validity rules than North Korean entry regulations, so always confirm with them directly.

Visas: An Absolute Necessity

Visa Required: Canadians and most other nationalities require a visa to enter North Korea.
Visa Application Process: Visas must be obtained from a North Korean mission in a third country (there is no North Korean embassy in Canada). The application process is lengthy, arduous, and requires approval from the government in Pyongyang.
Visa on Arrival Not Possible: You cannot obtain a visa upon arrival in North Korea.
Detention for No Visa: Arriving without a valid passport and visa may result in detention, arrest, fines, or denial of entry.
Journalist Restrictions: Professional journalists must obtain special permission and cannot enter on a tourist visa, even for personal travel.

Visa Types:

Tourist Visa: Required for tourism.
Business Visa: Required for business travel.
Work Permit: Required for employment.
Student Visa: Required for study.

Other Entry Information

Entry Points: Foreigners can enter North Korea by air or train.
No Entry from South Korea: It is strictly forbidden to enter North Korea from South Korea or vice versa. The border is heavily militarized and crossing is impossible for tourists.
Arbitrary Arrest at Entry: Even if you meet all formal entry requirements, there remains a risk of arbitrary arrest or detention at your point of entry.
Dual Citizenship and Korean Heritage: If you hold South Korean citizenship, have family ties to North Korea, or have Korean heritage, carefully consider your decision to visit. North Korean authorities may subject dual citizens and descendants of Korean citizens to specific laws and obligations. Canadians with South Korean citizenship must obtain approval from South Korean authorities to travel to North Korea.

Unauthorized Entry Points: A Severe Danger

Stay Within Permitted Zones: Entering North Korea through unauthorized entry points is extremely dangerous and strictly prohibited.
Past Incidents: Foreigners have been detained, injured, or killed attempting to enter through unauthorized points.
Strictly Follow Protocols: Adhere to all North Korean procedures and protocols and remain within permitted areas at all times.

Health Considerations for Travel to North Korea: Prepare for Limited Resources

Healthcare in North Korea is significantly below international standards. Travelers must be prepared for limited medical resources and potential health risks.

Pre-Travel Health Preparations: Essential Steps

Consult a Healthcare Provider: Schedule a consultation with your doctor or a travel health clinic ideally 6 weeks before your trip to discuss necessary vaccinations, health precautions, and any pre-existing medical conditions.
Routine Vaccinations: Ensure all routine vaccinations are up-to-date, including measles, mumps, rubella (MMR), diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis, polio, varicella, meningococcal disease, and seasonal flu.
Recommended Travel Vaccines and Medications: Discuss with your healthcare provider the need for vaccines or medications specific to North Korea, such as Hepatitis A and B, Japanese Encephalitis, Typhoid, and Rabies, based on your travel plans and risk factors.
Yellow Fever: While there is no yellow fever risk in North Korea, and vaccination is not generally recommended, discuss this with your healthcare provider.

Health Risks in North Korea: Awareness is Key

Food and Waterborne Diseases: Hepatitis A, Typhoid, and Traveler’s Diarrhea are risks due to sanitation issues. Practice strict safe food and water precautions.
Mosquito-borne Diseases: Japanese Encephalitis and Dengue fever are potential risks. Use insect repellent and take precautions against mosquito bites. Malaria transmission risk is very low, and antimalarial medication is generally not recommended for travelers.
Rabies: Rabies is present in dogs and wildlife. Avoid contact with animals. Rabies treatment may be limited or unavailable in North Korea, potentially requiring medical evacuation.
COVID-19 and Respiratory Infections: COVID-19 and seasonal influenza are global concerns. Ensure you are up-to-date on COVID-19 vaccinations and consider getting a flu shot. Practice good respiratory hygiene.
Tuberculosis: While the risk to most travelers is low, tuberculosis is present. High-risk travelers (e.g., those visiting prisons, hospitals) should consult their doctor.

Medical Facilities and Services: Severely Limited

Poor Medical Infrastructure: Medical facilities throughout North Korea are generally poor, lacking essential resources, medicine, and reliable power.
Cash Payment Expected: Medical care for foreigners is expensive, and hospitals demand immediate cash payment.
Pyongyang Friendship Hospital: This hospital in Pyongyang has English-speaking staff and is considered the best facility, but still has limitations.
Medical Evacuation: Medical evacuations are extremely difficult to arrange, not guaranteed, and very costly. Factor this in if you have any pre-existing health conditions.
Quarantine: If you exhibit symptoms of a communicable disease, you may be subject to strict quarantine measures.

Travel Health Kit:

Pack a comprehensive travel health kit, including:

Prescription medications in their original containers with prescriptions.
Over-the-counter medications for common ailments (pain relievers, diarrhea medication, etc.).
First-aid supplies.
Hand sanitizer.
Insect repellent.
Water purification tablets or filter.

Travel Insurance:

Essential: Comprehensive travel insurance is absolutely essential, including coverage for medical evacuation and hospital stays.

Laws and Culture in North Korea: Navigating a Restrictive Society

North Korea operates under a unique and highly restrictive legal and cultural framework. Travelers are subject to North Korean laws, and ignorance is not an excuse.

Tourist Laws and Regulations: Constant Guidance Required

Government Guides: Upon arrival, you will be met by government-assigned guides.
Mandatory Guides: You must be accompanied by your official guides at all times. Independent exploration is forbidden.
Strict Compliance: Follow all instructions from your guides meticulously.
Inappropriate Behavior: Any behavior deemed inappropriate by North Korean authorities can lead to fines, arrest, or detention. This includes seemingly minor interactions.
Forbidden Interactions: Unauthorized conversations with locals, currency exchange outside official channels, or purchasing goods at stores not designated for foreigners can be considered violations.
No Public Transportation: Foreigners are prohibited from using public transportation. All transportation will be arranged by your guides.

Drug Laws: Zero Tolerance

Severe Penalties: Penalties for drug offenses (possession, use, trafficking) are extremely severe, including long jail sentences and heavy fines.
Luggage Responsibility: Pack your own luggage and keep it under your constant supervision.
Never Carry Items for Others: Never transport packages, bags, or suitcases for anyone else, as you could unknowingly be carrying illegal items.

Import and Export Restrictions: What You Can and Cannot Bring

Prohibited Imports: Satellite phones and shortwave radios are prohibited and will be confiscated upon arrival (and potentially returned upon departure).
Currency Restrictions: You cannot enter or leave North Korea with North Korean Won (KPW).
Seizure of Materials: Authorities may seize materials deemed pornographic, political, or intended for religious proselytizing. This includes materials from South Korea.
Korean Language Materials: Exercise caution with any materials written in Korean, as they may be scrutinized for content deemed critical of the regime.
Unsanctioned Activities: Involvement in any unsanctioned political or religious activity can lead to arrest and detention.

Photography Restrictions: Sensitivity Required

Prohibited Subjects: Photography of airports, roads, bridges, seaports, rail stations, and military personnel or facilities is strictly prohibited.
Confiscation and Detention: Taking photos or videos outside of designated tourist areas can result in equipment confiscation or detention.
Seek Permission: Always ask your guide for permission before taking photographs, even in tourist areas, to avoid misunderstandings.

Dual Citizenship: Not Recognized

No Dual Citizenship Recognition: North Korea does not legally recognize dual citizenship.
Limited Consular Access for Dual Citizens: If North Korean authorities consider you a North Korean citizen, they may deny you access to Canadian consular services.

Political Criticism: Exercise Extreme Caution

Imprisonment Risk: Remarks critical of the state or its leadership can lead to imprisonment.
Sensitive Topics: Be extremely careful when discussing the North Korean political system or the ruling Kim family (Kim Il Sung, Kim Jong Il, Kim Jong Un). Any perceived disrespect or criticism, even unintentional, can have serious consequences.

2SLGBTQI+ Persons: Uncertain Status

No Legal Framework: North Korean law does not explicitly address sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, and sex characteristics.
No Legal Protection or Discrimination: 2SLGBTQI+ individuals are neither legally protected nor explicitly discriminated against under North Korean law.
Social Stigma: Homosexuality is not widely accepted in North Korean society, and 2SLGBTQI+ individuals may face harassment and verbal abuse.

Money and Currency: Cash is King

Currency: The official currency is the North Korean Won (KPW), but it is not used by tourists.
Foreign Currency Preferred: Foreigners are expected to use Euros, or alternatively, Chinese Renminbi or US Dollars.
Cash is Essential: Cash is the most widely accepted form of payment. Credit cards are rarely accepted, and ATMs are non-existent.
Limited Change: Change in foreign currency is often unavailable, so bring smaller denominations.
Limited Banking Facilities: Banking facilities are very limited for foreigners.

Natural Disasters and Climate in North Korea: Be Prepared for Weather Extremes

North Korea is susceptible to natural disasters and extreme weather events that can impact travel plans.

Climate Change Impacts

Increased Frequency of Extreme Weather: Climate change is affecting North Korea, leading to more frequent and intense extreme weather events. Monitor local weather forecasts for updates.

Rainy and Typhoon Seasons: Potential for Disruption

Rainy Season: Late June to August, with July being the wettest month. Heavy rain can cause flooding and landslides, disrupting travel.
Typhoon Season: August and September. Typhoons can bring devastating winds, heavy rainfall, and storm surges, causing significant damage and loss of life.

If Traveling During Rainy or Typhoon Season:

Serious Safety Risks: Understand you are exposing yourself to heightened safety risks.
Flexibility Required: Be prepared to alter your travel plans on short notice, potentially including trip cancellation or curtailment.
Stay Informed: Monitor regional weather forecasts closely.
Emergency Contacts: Keep emergency contact information for your airline and tour operator readily available.
Follow Local Authority Advice: Strictly adhere to the advice and instructions of local authorities during severe weather events.

Conclusion: Travel to North Korea – Proceed with Extreme Caution

Travel to North Korea is an undertaking that demands meticulous planning, a thorough understanding of the risks, and acceptance of the highly controlled environment. The consistent “avoid all travel” advisories from many countries reflect the genuine dangers associated with visiting this nation.

While the prospect of witnessing a truly unique and isolated culture may be appealing, potential travelers must weigh this against the significant risks of arbitrary detention, limited consular assistance, and the unpredictable security situation.

If you are determined to travel to North Korea, proceed with extreme caution, conduct extensive research, and ensure you are fully prepared for the challenges and restrictions you will encounter. Always prioritize your personal safety and security and remain respectful of North Korean laws and customs, no matter how unfamiliar they may seem. Continuously monitor travel advisories from your government for the most up-to-date information and guidance.