Country guides
Asia
Electricity
The electrical current is 120 or 220 volts, 60Hz. They use two-prong plugs, with either round or flat pins. (Plug type A and C.)
Language
Korean is the official language of North Korea, but there are minor differences between the Korean spoken in North and South Korea.
Money
The Korean won (KPW) is the official currency in North Korea.
Tipping
Tipping isn't customary in North Korea and may be considered inappropriate, but guides and hotel staff do appreciate small gifts. Gift-giving is an important part of Korean culture and a respectful way to show gratitude. Tourists often bring Western cigarettes for male guides and chocolates or cosmetics for female guides. Literature, media, or politically sensitive items from outside North Korea should never be offered, as they can cause serious trouble for both tourists and their guides.
Health
Travellers should be up to date on routine vaccinations, including MMR, diphtheria-tetanus-pertussis, varicella, polio, and annual flu shots. Hepatitis A and B, typhoid, Japanese encephalitis, and rabies vaccines are recommended based on individual risk factors; malaria prophylaxis is advised for certain areas. Visitors should avoid unwashed fruits, raw foods, and tap water, and should instead opt for boiled or bottled alternatives. Medical facilities are limited, with The Friendship Hospital in Pyongyang offering basic care. Serious conditions may require evacuation to China, meaning travel health insurance with evacuation coverage is essential.
Safety
Crime against foreigners is rare but visitors should always carry ID, and normal travel precautions are advised. All tourism in North Korea is guided, so visitors should not leave the group and wander off alone, as this could result in serious reprimand from police or officials, and their tour guide is likely to bear the brunt of this.
Visitors shouldn't criticise the government and they should stick to photographic regulations. All contraband media will be confiscated and there are strict laws regarding contraband items; tour operators can furnish tourists with a list of safe and contraband items.
All travel outside of Pyongyang must be government sanctioned and local taxi drivers are unlikely to take visitors anywhere unaccompanied by a guide. The situation at the demilitarised zone between the DPRK and South Korea is changeable, and relations between the two countries remain tense.
Local customs
Locals warm up to friendly travellers who respect tour rules and take the time to learn a few Korean phrases. In terms of social etiquette, bowing is the normal form of greeting (the deeper the bow, the more respect being shown), and travellers will be expected to remove their shoes when entering certain buildings or places of historical interest.
Bowing to pictures and statues of the supreme family is also expected. Homosexuality is not illegal, but is discouraged and frowned upon by the authorities. Smart clothing is preferable to casual, meaning collared shirts are a better choice than T-shirts, and trousers and neat jeans will go over better than shorts or tracksuits.
Doing business
Suits are required at all times and colleagues or clients should be greeted with a firm handshake and perhaps a slight bow. Foreigners should expect to be introduced by a third party, and have business cards ready to exchange on meeting. Public displays of respect and adherence to North Korean protocol are crucial.
Duty free
Information on the exact amounts of duty-free cigarettes, tobacco and liquor allowed is unclear and it is best to check with a tour operator before visiting North Korea. Prohibited items include binoculars, guns and ammunition, explosives, drugs, seeds, pornography, certain types of media and books or literature in Korean. Gifts, cameras, watches, tape recorders and precious metals must be declared on arrival.
Communications
The international access code is +850.
Passport & Visa
Passports must be valid on arrival, visitors must hold tickets and documents required for their next destination, and they must have sufficient funds to cover their stay. It is highly recommended that travellers' passports have at least six months' validity remaining after the intended date of departure from their travel destination. Immigration officials often apply different rules to those stated by travel agents and official sources.
Entry requirements
United States citizens must have a valid passport. A visa is required.
UK citizens must have a valid passport. A visa is required.
Canadian citizens must have a valid passport. A visa is required.
Australian citizens must have a valid passport. A visa is required.
South African citizens must have a valid passport. A visa is required.
Irish citizens must have a valid passport. A visa is required.
New Zealand citizens must have a valid passport. A visa is required.