Pyongyang Safety Guide
Health, security, and travel safety information
Emergency Numbers
Save these numbers before your trip.
Healthcare
What to know about medical care in Pyongyang.
Healthcare System
North Korea operates a state-run healthcare system with limited resources and infrastructure significantly below international standards. Medical facilities available to tourists are restricted to specific foreigners' hospitals in Pyongyang.
Hospitals
The Pyongyang Friendship Hospital is the primary facility for foreigners. Medical supplies are limited, and many basic medications and equipment may be unavailable. Bring all prescription medications and a comprehensive first-aid kit.
Pharmacies
Pharmacies have very limited stock with few Western medications available. Do not rely on purchasing any medications locally. Bring a complete supply of all prescription and over-the-counter medications you may need, plus extras in case of travel delays.
Insurance
Comprehensive travel insurance with medical evacuation coverage (minimum $100,000 USD) is absolutely essential. Ensure your policy explicitly covers travel to North Korea, as many standard policies exclude DPRK. Medical evacuation to Beijing or another regional hub may be necessary for serious conditions.
Healthcare Tips
- Bring at least double the medications you expect to need, in original packaging with prescriptions
- Carry a comprehensive first-aid kit including antibiotics, pain relievers, anti-diarrheal medication, and any personal medical supplies
- Ensure your travel insurance explicitly covers North Korea and includes medical evacuation
- Bring copies of prescriptions and medical records, translated into Korean if possible
- Be in good health before traveling; postpone if you have any acute medical conditions
- Dental care is extremely limited; address any dental issues before traveling
- Inform your tour guide immediately of any medical issues, no matter how minor
Common Risks
Be aware of these potential issues.
The most significant risk is inadvertently violating local laws, which can result in detention, arrest, and lengthy imprisonment. Laws are strict, enforcement is unpredictable, and activities considered normal elsewhere may be illegal.
Photography is heavily restricted. Taking photos of military personnel, construction sites, poor infrastructure, or unflattering scenes is prohibited and can lead to detention. Cameras may be inspected upon departure.
Petty crime such as pickpocketing and theft is virtually non-existent due to the controlled environment and severe local penalties for crime.
No access to international phone service, internet, or communication with the outside world except through approved channels. In emergencies, contacting family or embassies is extremely difficult.
International political situations can change rapidly, potentially affecting travelers' ability to enter or leave the country. Borders may close with little notice.
Tourists cannot move freely and must remain with guides at all times. Attempting to leave your group or hotel unaccompanied is prohibited and dangerous.
Scams to Avoid
Watch out for these common tourist scams.
Some companies claim to offer tours to North Korea but are not properly authorized or may provide misleading information about what to expect.
Unofficial currency exchange or confusion about which currencies are accepted can lead to unfavorable rates or legal issues.
Some items sold in souvenir shops may be prohibited from export, leading to confiscation and potential legal issues at departure.
Safety Tips
Practical advice to stay safe.
Legal Compliance
- Never criticize the government, leadership, or political system in any way, even in private conversations
- Do not bring any religious materials, publications critical of DPRK, or South Korean items
- Treat all images and representations of leaders with utmost respect; do not fold, damage, or discard them
- Do not attempt to interact with locals outside of organized tour activities
- Assume all hotel rooms and conversations are monitored
- Never attempt to leave your hotel or group without your guide
- Follow all instructions from guides immediately and without question
Photography
- Ask permission before every photograph, even if you've photographed similar scenes before
- Never photograph military personnel, vehicles, checkpoints, or anything security-related
- Do not photograph construction sites, poor infrastructure, or anything that could be seen as unflattering
- Do not zoom in on details; keep photos general and positive
- Be prepared to show all photos to guides and delete any upon request
- Do not photograph from buses without permission
Health and Hygiene
- Drink only bottled water; bring water purification tablets as backup
- Avoid raw vegetables and unpeeled fruits
- Bring hand sanitizer and use it frequently
- Pack all medications needed plus extras in carry-on luggage
- Bring toilet paper and hygiene products; these may not be available
- Be prepared for limited hot water and electricity in hotels
Money and Valuables
- Bring sufficient cash in USD, EUR, or CNY; credit cards and ATMs are not available for foreigners
- Bring new, undamaged bills as worn or damaged currency may be rejected
- Keep money secure in hotel safe if available
- Budget for mandatory tips for guides and drivers
- Bring small denominations for shopping at designated stores
Communication
- Inform family of complete itinerary before departure and expected return date
- Do not expect any communication during your visit
- Leave copies of passport and important documents with family
- Register with your embassy before traveling
- Understand that consular access may be severely limited or impossible in emergencies
Behavior and Etiquette
- Dress conservatively; avoid shorts, sleeveless tops, revealing clothing, and clothing with slogans
- Be punctual for all scheduled activities
- Show respect at monuments and memorials; bow when guides do
- Do not litter or behave disrespectfully in public
- Accept that many aspects of the tour are choreographed; do not question or challenge this
- Be polite and respectful to all guides and officials at all times
Information for Specific Travelers
Safety considerations for different traveler groups.
Women Travelers
Women travelers generally face no additional physical safety risks in Pyongyang's controlled tour environment. However, conservative dress and behavior standards apply to all visitors, with particular attention to modest appearance expected of women.
- Dress conservatively at all times; avoid shorts, short skirts, sleeveless tops, and low-cut clothing
- Bring modest clothing that covers shoulders and knees for all activities
- Female hygiene products should be brought from home; they may not be available locally
- Women traveling alone will still be part of group tours with constant guide supervision
- Respectful behavior is expected at all times; avoid loud or boisterous behavior
- The controlled tour environment means women are continuously supervised, eliminating most typical solo travel concerns
LGBTQ+ Travelers
Homosexuality is not explicitly criminalized in North Korean law, but LGBTQ+ topics are not discussed publicly and there is no legal recognition or protection for LGBTQ+ individuals.
- Do not discuss LGBTQ+ topics with guides or locals
- Avoid any public displays of affection regardless of gender
- Do not bring any LGBTQ+ related materials, publications, or symbols
- Present as heterosexual during your visit
- Understand that LGBTQ+ identity is not recognized or understood in this context
- The controlled tour environment means your private life will not be a topic of discussion if you maintain discretion
Travel Insurance
Comprehensive travel insurance is absolutely critical for North Korea travel. Standard policies often exclude DPRK, so specialized coverage is essential. Medical evacuation alone can cost over $100,000 USD, and you will need to pay upfront before evacuation is arranged. Political situations can change rapidly, requiring trip cancellation or emergency departure.
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