It's illegal for North Koreans to leave their country without the government's permission. North Koreans who do attempt to leave the country illegally and are caught can face severe consequences including torture, forced labor, and life-imprisonment in a political prison camp.
North Koreans need an exit stamp to leave, as well as needed a rerentrance interview when they get back to the DPRK. The socialist reason for this is that the country have invested in educating the citizen, sow when North Koreans travel abroad the country needs to be sure they will not defect.
Do not travel to North Korea due to the continuing serious risk of arrest and long-term detention of U.S. nationals. Exercise increased caution to North Korea due to the critical threat of wrongful detention.
Other entry information. Foreigners can enter North Korea either by air or by train. It is not possible to enter North Korea from South Korea or to enter South Korea from North Korea. Even if you meet all entry requirements, you may be arbitrarily arrested and/or detained at your point of entry.
Which countries cannot visit North Korea? The only country that North Korea restricts visitors from is South Korea (the Republic of Korea), whose citizens need special permission (from both governments).
If despite our advice, you travel to North Korea, you'll need a visa for all types of travel. North Korea doesn't have an embassy or consulate in Australia. This means you need to travel to another country, such as China, to get your visa.
Almost anyone can visit North Korea, with the exception of citizens of South Korea and the United States.
This is a common misconception especially for westerners. The only nationalities restricted from travel to North Korea are tourists travelling on South Korean (Republic of Korea) and United States of America (USA) passports. All other nationalities are legally allowed to visit the DPRK.
In principle, any person is allowed to travel to North Korea; only South Koreans and journalists are routinely denied, although there have been some exceptions for journalists.
The North Korean passport ranks 190th in the world as of June 2023 according to VisaGuide Passport Index. This means that North Korean citizens can travel visa-free to 12 countries in the world. However, to enter the remaining countries, North Korean passport holders must apply for a visa beforehand.
If the defectors are caught in China, they are repatriated back to North Korea, where rights groups say they often face harsh interrogations and years of punishment, or even death, in kwalliso prison camps (such as the Pukch'ang camp), or in kyohwaso reeducation camps (such as the Chungsan camp or Chongo-ri camp).
North Korean refugees who flee to China are often later forcibly repatriated back to North Korea by authorities, and are routinely beaten and sent to prison camps after repatriation. This is because the North Korean government treats emigrants from the country as defectors.
North Korea law specifies 'three generations of punishment'. If you commit a crime, your chil¬dren and grandchildren will also receive the full brunt of punishment, which often involves a lifetime in prison. Children born in prison are raised as prisoners because their “blood is guilty”.
Women in North Korea, just like men, are severely restricted in everyday life: freedom of speech, freedom of movement and similar rights are tightly controlled by the state.
North Korean mobile phones use a digital signature system to prevent access to unsanctioned files, and log usage information that can be physically inspected.
In South Korea, the legal age of marriage is 18 years with no exceptions. Under Article 807 of the Civil Code 2011 the minimum legal age of marriage is 18 years.
banning the trade of gold, precious metals, and diamonds with the North Korean government. banning the import of minerals from North Korea, with some exemptions for coal and iron ore.
Nearly all of North Korea's Internet traffic is routed through China. Since February 2013, foreigners have been able to access the Internet using the 3G telecommunications network provided by Koryolink. Permission to access the Internet remains tightly restricted.
More than 33,000 people have defected from North Korea to South Korea since 1998, CNN reported in 2022, citing the Ministry of Unification. Several defectors have become globally famous, such as Ji Seong-ho, a double amputee who became a politician in Seoul after escaping the North.
Murder. Many people in North Korea are stricken with poverty and as a result, often resort to extreme measures in order to survive. Several defectors have reported hearing rumours that murder and cannibalism is rife in the country; these rumours first arose during the Great Famine of 1994 to 1998.
Watch your belongings. Sexual assault and harassment, drink spiking and other violent crimes occur, particularly around bars and nightlife areas, such as Itaewon and Hongdae. Don't accept food, drink, gum or cigarettes from strangers. Remain vigilant, take care when walking at night, and travel in groups if possible.
The DPRK (North Korea) is probably one of the safest places on Earth to visit provided you follow the laws and regulations as covered in our booking documents, at our pre-tour briefings, and throughout your stay in North Korea. Tourism is very welcomed in North Korea.
There is a "huge number" of bars in Pyongyang where beer is available. In the summer and during festivals, beer tents pop up around Pyongyang. Tourists can buy beer with foreign currency without the limitations that apply to North Koreans. A beer in international hotels cost about two euros.
Contrary to popular belief, taking photos in North Korea is allowed and you'll have plenty of opportunities during your tour with us. Photography freedom is less restrictive than most travellers expect. However, there are photography guidelines that must strictly be followed by all visitors to North Korea.
The North Korea-Russia Border Infrastructure
There is no road bridge between the two countries, but there is one of only a handful of international railway routes connecting North Korea to mainland Asia.