North Korea

August 11, 2004

COUNTRY DESCRIPTION: The Democratic People's Republic of Korea (North Korea or DPRK) is a highly militaristic Communist state located on the Korean Peninsula between northeast China and the Republic of Korea (South Korea). The DPRK is one of the world's most isolated countries and has endured the almost total collapse over the past fifteen years of its once industrialized economy. The continuing dispute over North Korea's nuclear programs has increased tension in the region and between the United States and the DPRK. North Korea limits trade and transportation links with other countries and tightly restricts the circumstances under which foreigners may enter the country and interact with local citizens. Telephone and fax communications are unavailable in many areas of the country and foreigners can expect their communications to be monitored by DPRK officials. In recent years, North Korea has experienced famine, fuel and electricity shortages, and outbreaks of disease. Many countries, including the United States, have contributed to international relief efforts to assist the people of North Korea.

In recent years, the DPRK has attempted to attract foreign tourists as a means of earning much needed foreign currency, but an underdeveloped service sector, inadequate infrastructure, and political tensions with surrounding countries have hobbled these efforts. North Korea's efforts to expand tourism have focused primarily on group tours from China, Japan and particularly South Korea.

INTERIM CONSULAR PROTECTING POWER: The United States does not maintain diplomatic or consular relations with the DPRK. The U.S. Government therefore cannot provide normal consular protective services to U.S. citizens in North Korea. On September 20, 1995, a consular protecting power arrangement was implemented, allowing the Swedish Embassy in the DPRK capital, Pyongyang, to provide basic consular protective services to U.S. citizens traveling in North Korea who are ill, injured, arrested or who have died while there.

ENTRY REQUIREMENTS: North Korean visas are required for entry. The U.S. Government does not issue letters to private Americans seeking North Korean visas, even though in the past such letters have sometimes been requested by DPRK Embassies. As most travelers enter North Korea from China, prospective travelers generally also need to obtain a two-entry visa for China. A valid Chinese visa is essential for departing from North Korea at the conclusion of a visit or in an emergency. While the Republic of Korea government is attempting to open direct travel routes to the DPRK, routine travel from the Republic of Korea to the DPRK is currently prohibited. Travel across the demilitarized zone is allowed only infrequently for official and government-authorized cultural and economic exchanges. There are no regularly operating direct commercial flights from South to North Korea at this time. U.S. citizens who arrive in North Korea without a valid U.S. passport and North Korean visa may be detained, arrested, fined or denied entry. Individuals traveling to North Korea report that fees for local travel costs (taxi, tolls, permits and the cost for security personnel assigned to escort foreigner visitors) can be high and arbitrary.

In an effort to prevent international child abduction, many governments have initiated procedures at entry/exit points. These often include requiring documentary evidence of relationship and permission for the child's travel from the parents or legal guardians if not present. Having such documentation on hand, even if not required, may facilitate entry/departure.

Where to obtain a North Korean visa: There is no DPRK embassy in the United States. U.S. citizens and residents planning travel to North Korea must obtain DPRK visas in third countries. For information about entry requirements and restricted areas, contact the DPRK Mission to the United Nations in New York. Address inquiries to:

The Permanent Representative of the Democratic
People's Republic of Korea to the United Nations
820 Second Avenue
New York, New York 10017,
Tel: (1-212) 972-3105
Fax: (1-212) 972-3154

Americans living abroad can contact the DPRK Embassy, if any, in their country of residence.

U.S. citizens traveling to North Korea usually obtain their visas at the DPRK Embassy in Beijing, China, which will only issue visas after receiving authorization from the DPRK Foreign Ministry in Pyongyang. Prior to traveling to the region, travelers may wish to confirm that authorization to issue their visa has been received from Pyongyang. Americans can call the North Korean Embassy in Beijing prior to their travel by telephone at (86-10) 6532-1186 or 6532-1189 (fax: 6532-6056).

DUAL NATIONALITY: The Democratic People's Republic of Korea does not recognize dual nationality. U.S. citizens of Korean heritage are often regarded with suspicion by North Korean officials and may even be treated as North Korean citizens. DPRK laws on dual nationality may impose special obligations upon people with North Korean ethnic backgrounds who are citizens of other countries such as military service or taxes on foreign source income. U. S. citizens of Korean origin may be charged with offenses allegedly committed prior to their original departure from Korea. Information on dual nationality is available on the Bureau of Consular Affairs website at http://www.travel.state.gov/travel/dualnationality.html.

Additional questions on dual nationality may be directed to Overseas Citizens Services, SA-29, 4th Floor, 2201 C Street, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20520, or telephone 1-888-407-4747.

SAFETY AND SECURITY: government security personnel closely monitor the activities and conversations of foreigners in North Korea. Hotel rooms, telephones and fax machines may be monitored, and personal possessions in hotel rooms may be searched. Photographing roads, bridges, airports, rail stations, or anything other than designated public tourist sites can be perceived as espionage and may result in confiscation of cameras and film or even detention. DPRK border officials routinely confiscate visitors' cell phones on arrival, returning the phone only on departure. Foreign visitors to North Korea may be arrested, detained or expelled for activities that would not be considered criminal outside the DPRK, including involvement in unsanctioned religious and political activities, engaging in unauthorized travel or interaction with the local population.

For the latest security information, Americans traveling abroad should regularly monitor the Department's Internet web site at Http://travel.state.gov where the current Worldwide Caution Public Announcement, Travel Warnings and Public Announcements can be found.

Up to date information on security can also be obtained by calling 1-888-407-4747 toll free in the U.S., or, for callers outside the United States and Canada, a regular toll line at 1-317-472-2328. These numbers are available from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Eastern Standard time, Monday through Friday (except U.S. federal holidays). Callers who are unable to use toll-free numbers, such as those calling from overseas, may obtain information and assistance during these hours by calling 1-317-472-2328.

CRIME: The North Korean government does not release statistics on crime. Violent crime is very rare and street crime is uncommon in Pyongyang. There are reports suggesting that widespread economic desperation in North Korea has led to an increased crime rate outside Pyongyang. Petty thefts have been reported, especially at the airport in Pyongyang.

The loss or theft abroad of a U.S. passport should be reported immediately to the local police and to the Swedish Embassy. If you are a victim of a crime while in North Korea, in addition to reporting to local police, please contact the Swedish embassy for assistance.

U.S. citizens may refer to the Department of State's pamphlet A Safe Trip Abroad for ways to promote a trouble-free journey. The pamphlet is available by mail from the Superintendent of Documents, U.S. Government Printing Office, Washington, D.C. 20402, via the Internet at http://www.gpoaccess.gov, or via the Bureau of Consular Affairs home page at http://travel.state.gov.

MEDICAL FACILITIES: Persons with medical problems should not travel to North Korea. Medical care for Americans who become ill or injured in North Korea, including emergency medical evacuation, is generally not available. Hospitals in Pyongyang and other cities often lack heat, medicine, and supplies, and suffer from frequent power outages and outbreaks of infection. Hospitals do not generally provide food for patients. Reagents for diagnosing infectious diseases such as tuberculosis are generally unavailable. Americans should not bring personal medications to North Korea without written authorization from the North Korean Government. Absent such permission, persons requiring regular medication should not travel to North Korea. Hospitals will expect immediate U.S. dollar cash payment for medical treatment. Credit cards and checks have not been honored in the past according to diplomatic personnel stationed in the DPRK. Medical evacuation from Pyongyang to China requires several days to arrange. Evacuation by air from rural areas of North Korea to the capital is not feasible.

MEDICAL INSURANCE: The Department of State strongly urges Americans to consult with their medical insurance company prior to traveling abroad to confirm whether their policy applies overseas and if it will cover emergency expenses such as medical evacuation. U.S. medical insurance plans seldom cover health costs incurred outside the United States unless supplemental coverage is purchased. Further, U.S. Medicare and Medicaid programs do not provide payment for medical services outside the United States. However, many travel agents and private companies offer insurance plans that will cover health care expenses incurred overseas, including emergency services such as medical evacuations.

When making a decision regarding health insurance, American should consider that many foreign doctors require payment in cash prior to providing service and that a medical evacuation to the U.S. may cost well in excess of $50,000. Uninsured travelers who require medical care overseas often face extreme difficulties. When consulting with your insurer prior to your trip, ascertain whether payment will be made to the overseas healthcare provider or if you will be reimbursed later for expenses you incur. Some insurance policies also include coverage for psychiatric treatment and for disposition of remains in the event of death.

In the case of a critical illness or accident, the Swedish Embassy, acting as protecting power for the United States, would attempt to arrange flight clearances for air ambulances performing emergency medical evacuations. Medical air evacuation costs vary, but average approximately $40,000 to $50,000 for medical, personnel, aircraft and clearance costs. Clearances can usually be arranged within one week. Medical evacuation by regularly scheduled airlines can be arranged, but is limited to the very small number of flights that currently operate from Pyongyang to Beijing, Dalian, Shenyang and Macau. Chinese visas for injured foreigners and any escorts must be obtained prior to the evacuation from North Korea in order to transit China. Even in the case of a medical emergency, transit visas may take several days to arrange. Evacuation across the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ) to South Korea is not allowed.

If an American citizen falls ill or is injured while traveling to the DPRK, accompanying travelers or family members should immediately contact the Swedish Protecting Power using the phone numbers listed below.

The Embassy of Sweden,
Munsu-Dong District,
Pyongyang, DPRK
Telephone and fax numbers for the Swedish Protecting
Power are:
Tel: (850-2) 3817 908;
Fax: (850-2) 3817 258.

Notification should also be made to the U.S. Embassy's American Citizen Services Unit in Beijing, China using the phone numbers listed below:

U.S. Embassy in Beijing
American Citizen Services
Number 2 Xiushui Dong Jie
Beijing, China 100600
Telephone: (86-10) 6532-3431, ext. 5344, 5648 or 5028.
Fax: (86-10) 6532-4153.

After hours please call (86-10) 6532-1910 and ask for the Embassy duty officer. Americans who wish to contact U.S. consular officials in China can e-mail questions to: www.amcitbeijing@state.gov.

Companies that may be able to arrange evacuation services include, but are not limited to:

SOS International (www.intsos.com)
U.S. telephone: (1-800) 468-5232 China telephone: (86-10) 6462-9100 / 9112 / 9199)
Medex Assistance Corporation (www.medexasst@aol.com) U.S. telephone: (410) 453-6300 / 6301 Toll free: (1-800) 537-2029
China telephone: (86-10) 6595-8510)
Global Doctor (www.eglobaldoctor.com)
China telephone: (86-21) 64311541, (86-21) 64311537 or (86-10) 83151914).

Travelers may wish to contact these or other emergency medical assistance providers for information about their ability to provide medical evacuation insurance and/or assistance for travelers to North Korea.

Useful information on medical emergencies abroad, including overseas insurance programs, is provided in the Department of State's Bureau of Consular Affairs brochure Medical Information for Americans Traveling Abroad, available via the Bureau of Consular Affairs home page.

OTHER HEALTH INFORMATION: All necessary vaccinations should be administered prior to traveling to North Korea. Vaccinations recommended and disease prevention information for travelers are available from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's International Travelers' Hotline, which may be reached from the United States at 1-877-FYI-TRIP (1-877-394-8747), via its toll-free autofax number at 1-888-CDC-FAXX 1-888-232-3299), or via the CDC Internet site at: http://www.cdc.gov/travel. In addition, travelers with special dietary requirements are advised to bring food with them to North Korea, as the few restaurants available to foreigners are often closed for lack of supplies and, in any case, have limited menus that lack variety and nutritional adequacy.

TRAFFIC SAFETY AND ROAD CONDITIONS: While in a foreign country, U.S. citizens may encounter road conditions that differ significantly from those in the United States. The information below concerning North Korea is provided for general reference only, and may not be totally accurate in a particular location or situation.

Safety of Public Transportation: Poor
Urban Road Conditions/Maintenance: Good
Rural Road Conditions/Maintenance: Poor
Availability of Roadside Assistance: Nonexistent

Foreigners are not allowed to drive in North Korea. Streets are often unlit due to electricity shortages. Taxis are not generally available, and cars are often in dangerous disrepair. Pyongyang has a subway system. City buses are often idled due to lack of fuel. Roads outside of cities may be hazardous, especially during winter months. North Korea has a functioning rail transport system; however delays occur often. Bicycles are unavailable for rental or purchase. Local citizens may be unwilling to assist Americans injured in road accidents for fear of repercussions following an unauthorized interaction with a foreigner.

For additional general information about road safety, including links to foreign government sites, see the Department of State, Bureau of Consular Affairs home page at http://travel.state.gov/travel/abroad_roadsafety.html.

AVIATION SAFETY OVERSIGHT: As there is no direct commercial air service between the U.S. and North Korea by local carriers at present, nor economic authority to operate such service, the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has not assessed North Korea's Civil Aviation Authority for compliance with international aviation safety standards for oversight of North Korea's air carrier operations. For further information, travelers may contact the Department of Transportation at 1-800-322-7873, or visit the FAA Internet home page at http://www.faa.gov/avr/iasa/index.htm.

The U.S. Department of Defense (DOD) separately assesses some foreign air carriers for suitability as official providers of air services. For information regarding the DOD policy on specific carriers, travelers may contact DOD at (618) 229-4801.

CUSTOMS REGULATIONS: DPRK authorities may seize documents, literature, audio and videotapes, compact discs and letters that they deem to be pornographic, political or intended for religious proselytizing. Persons seeking to enter North Korea with religious materials in a quantity deemed to be greater than that needed for personal use can be detained, fined and expelled. It is advisable to contact the DPRK Mission to the United Nations or a DPRK embassy or consulate in a third country for specific information regarding customs requirements.

In many countries around the world, counterfeit and pirated goods are widely available. Transactions involving such products are illegal and bringing them back to the United States may result in forfeitures and/or fines. A current list of those countries with serious problems in this regard can be found at http://www.ustr.gov/reports/2003/special301.htm.

CRIMINAL PENALTIES: While in a foreign country, a U.S. citizen is subject to that country's laws and regulations, which sometimes differ significantly from those in the United States. Local laws also may not afford the protections available to U.S. citizens under U.S. law. Penalties for breaking the law can be more severe than in the United States for similar offenses. Persons violating the law, even unknowingly, may be expelled, arrested or imprisoned. Penalties for possession, use or trafficking in illegal drugs are strict, and convicted offenders often face long jail sentences and heavy fines. North Korean security personnel, especially in cases where the Americans are originally from Korea or who are thought to understand the Korean language, may view unescorted travel by Americans inside North Korea without explicit official authorization as espionage. Security personal may also view any attempt to engage in unauthorized conversations with a citizen of the DPRK as espionage. Foreigners are subject to fines or arrest for unauthorized currency transactions or for shopping at stores not designated for foreigners. It is a criminal act in North Korea to show disrespect to the country's current and former leaders, Kim Jong-Il and Kim Il-Sung. Foreign journalists have been threatened when questioning the policies or public statements of the DPRK, or the actions of the current leadership.

Under the PROTECT Act of April 2003, it is a crime, prosecutable in the United States, for a U.S. citizen or permanent resident alien, to engage in illicit sexual conduct in a foreign country with a person under the age of 18, whether or not the U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident alien intended to engage in such illicit sexual conduct prior to going abroad.  For purposes of the PROTECT Act, illicit sexual conduct includes any commercial sex act in a foreign country with a person under the age of 18.  The law defines a commercial sex act as any sex act, on account of which anything of value is given to or received by a person under the age of 18. 

Under the Protection of Children from Sexual Predators Act of 1998, it is a crime to use the mail or any facility of interstate or foreign commerce, including the Internet, to transmit information about a minor under the age of 16 for criminal sexual purposes that include, among other things, the production of child pornography. This same law makes it a crime to use any facility of interstate or foreign commerce, including the Internet, to transport obscene materials to minors under the age of 16.

CONSULAR ACCESS: There is no United States diplomatic or consular presence in the DPRK. Traveling Americans may receive limited consular services from the Swedish Embassy in Pyongyang. Please note paragraph 18, below, for address and contact information for the Swedish Embassy in Pyongyang. U.S. citizens are encouraged to carry photocopies of their passport data and photo pages with them at all times so that, if questioned by DPRK officials, proof of their U.S. citizenship is readily available. The U.S.- DPRK Interim Consular Agreement provides that North Korea will notify the Swedish Embassy within four days of an arrest or detention of an American citizen and will allow consular visits within two days after a request is made by the Swedish Embassy. However, consular access has not been readily granted in cases where American citizens have been reported as being detained or held against their will by DPRK officials.

U.S. GOVERNMENT ECONOMIC SANCTIONS AGAINST NORTH KOREA: On June 19, 2000, the U.S. implemented an easing of economic sanctions against North Korea. Imports from North Korea are allowed, subject to an approval process. Direct personal and commercial financial transactions are allowed between U.S. and North Korean citizens. Restrictions on investment have also been eased. Commercial U.S. ships and aircraft carrying U.S. goods are allowed to call at North Korean ports with prior clearance.

The easing of sanctions does not affect U.S. counter- terrorism or nonproliferation controls on North Korea, which prohibit exports of military and sensitive dual-use items and most types of U.S. assistance. Statutory restrictions, such as U.S. missile sanctions, remain in place. Restrictions on North Korea based on multilateral arrangements also remain in place.

Regulations implementing the easing of sanctions have been issued by the Departments of Treasury, Commerce and Transportation, are published in the Federal Register, and can be found on the Internet at http:// www.nara.gov./feeders. For additional information, consult the U.S. Department of the Treasury, Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) home page on the Internet at http://www.treas.gov/ofac or via OFAC's Info-by-Fax service at (1-202) 622-0077, which is available by telephone or by using a fax machine phone. Interested parties can also consult the U.S. Department of Commerce, Bureau of Export Administration at http://www.bxa.doc.gov, and the U.S. Department of Transportation at http://www.dot.gov for additional information.

CHILDREN'S ISSUES: For information on international adoption of children, international parental child abduction, and international child support enforcement issues, please refer to our Internet site at http://travel.state.gov/children's_issues.html or telephone Overseas Citizens Services at 1-888-407-4747. This number is available from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Eastern Standard Time, Monday through Friday (except U.S. federal holidays). Callers who are unable to use toll-free numbers, such as those calling from overseas, may obtain information and assistance during these hours by calling 1-317-472-2328.

EMBASSY LOCATION AND REGISTRATION: There is no U.S. Embassy or Consulate in North Korea. The Swedish Embassy, which acts as U.S. Protecting Power, is located at Munsu-Dong District, Pyongyang. The telephone and fax numbers for the Swedish Protecting Power are, Tel: (850-2) 3817 908: Fax: (850-2) 3817 258. Americans who have a medical or consular emergency, who wish to contact the Swedish Protecting Power are reminded first to communicate this need to their escorts or guides. Do not attempt to travel to the Swedish Protecting Power office unescorted.

U.S. citizens contemplating visiting North Korea are encouraged to register in person, by telephone or fax with the U.S. Embassy in Beijing, China, prior to entering the DPRK. The American Citizen Services Unit of the U.S. Embassy in Beijing is located at:

Number 2 Xiushui Dong Jie
Beijing, China 100600
Telephone: (86-10) 6532-3431, ext. 5344, 5648 or 5028. Fax: (86-10) 6532-4153.

After hours please call (86-10) 6532-1910 and ask for the Embassy duty officer. Americans who wish to contact U.S. consular officials in China may also e-mail questions to: www.amcitbeijing@state.gov. It is also possible to register from the United States via the Internet through the U.S. Embassy's home page at http://www.usembassy-china.org.cn.

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This replaces the Consular Information Sheet dated December 19, 2003, to update the sections on Country Description, Entry Requirements, Dual Nationality, Safety and Security, Crime, Medical Insurance, Other Health Information, Aviation Safety Oversight, Customs Regulations, Criminal Penalties and Children's' Issues and to remove the section on Travel Documents.