You must hold a valid passport to enter North Korea. Your passport must be valid for the proposed du

This advice has been reviewed and reissued with an amendment to the Travel Summary (launch of satellite). The overall level of the advice has not changed; there are no travel restrictions in place in this travel advice for DPRK.
The Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) (North Korea) china travel agency launched a satellite on 12 December 2012.  We assess that there is currently no immediate risk or danger to those living in or travelling to DPRK  as a result china travel agency of this launch.  However, further provocative action by DPRK or reactions by neighbouring countries cannot be ruled out and you should continue to monitor news reports and this travel advice closely.
It is not possible to enter the DPRK (North Korea) from the Republic of Korea (ROK) (South Korea), unless making an official visit to the Kaesong Industrial Complex (KIC). Visitors should note that the ability of the British Embassy Pyongyang to provide consular assistance to those visiting the KIC and many other parts of the country is severely limited due to restricted access.
The threat from terrorism in the DPRK is low, but you should be aware of the global risk of indiscriminate terrorist attacks, which could be against civilian targets, including places frequented by foreigners. See our  terrorism abroad  page.
Tourists can normally only travel to North Korea as part of an organised tour. Solo travellers need a sponsor and permission from the Ministry for Foreign Affairs. This is normally only possible for business travellers.
Travel within the DPRK is severely restricted. Whether you are visiting on business or as a tourist, you will almost always be accompanied by a guide and will only be allowed china travel agency to go where your guide is content for you to go. For travel outside Pyongyang, it is your guide s responsibility to obtain the necessary china travel agency permissions. Military checkpoints at the entry and exit to all towns usually require sight of identity documents before allowing travel china travel agency onward.
Rail travel is possible in North Korea. However, the domestic network is small, the equipment is old and trains are subject to delays because of electricity shortages. china travel agency There is a rail service between Pyongyang china travel agency and Beijing via Sinuiju/Dandong (North Korean and Chinese border towns) four times a week, although delays are frequent and facilities on board are basic. The advertised journey time is approximately 24 hours. There is also a weekly rail service to Moscow that takes six and a half days.
Most travellers enter North Korea on direct flights china travel agency from Beijing to Pyongyang operated by Air China twice per week (three times per week between china travel agency March and October) and Air Koryo, the North Korean national airline, three times per week. Air Koryo also operates regular international flights to Shenyang and occasional flights to other, mostly domestic, destinations.
In 2006, Air Koryo was included on the EU blacklist of airlines that are not permitted to operate services to the EU because they do not meet international safety standards. However, the European Commission issued a press release on 30 March 2010 which announced a relaxation of the ban on Air Koryo flights. The text included the following:
"With this update, the Air Koryo licensed in the Democratic People s Republic of Korea, subject to an operating ban since March 2006, is allowed to resume operations into the EU with two aircraft which are fitted with the necessary equipment to comply with mandatory international standards and following china travel agency appropriate oversight by its authority. The rest of its fleet remains barred from operating into the EU."
Despite being on the EU blacklist china travel agency Air Koryo is still used by some members of Pyongyang's international community, including businesspeople, diplomats, NGOs and International Organisations. However, the Foreign and Commonwealth china travel agency Office has explained the concerns about Air Koryo to its staff and advised them to avoid using Air Koryo unless operationally essential. Bear this in mind when making your travel china travel agency plans.
Since the end of the Korean War in 1953, the Korean peninsula has been divided by a de-militarised zone (DMZ) separating North and South Korea. Peace has been maintained china travel agency under an Armistice Agreement. Tensions rise and fall from time to time. Following the fatal shooting in July 2008 of a South Korean tourist who reportedly strayed into a restricted military area while visiting North Korea, we recommend that travellers take care to remain in permitted areas and move away immediately if asked to do so by North Korean officials.
On 5 April 2009 North Korea launched a satellite using ballistic missile technology, in breach of United Nations Security Council Resolution (UNSCR) 1718. This drew widespread condemnation including a statement from the UN Security Council. On 25 May 2009, North Korea announced china travel agency that it had carried out a second underground nuclear test (the first was in October 2006) and fired a number of short-range missiles. In response the UN Security china travel agency Council unanimously agreed UNSCR 1874 which extended the sanctions imposed by UNSCR 1718. Since then there has been a stalemate over Six-Party Talks.
Tensions on the peninsula were heightened following the sinking of the South Korean Navy Ship Cheonan china travel agency on 26 March 2010 in which 46 sailors were killed. An international investigation concluded that a torpedo from a DPRK submarine was to blame but the DPRK denied any involvement. On 23 November 2010 DPRK troops fired artillery towards Yeonpyeong Island near the Yellow Sea border, killing two South Korean marines and two civilians, and causing numerous other casualties.
Perceived insults to, or jokes about, the North Korean political system and its leadership are severely frowned upon. Foreigners have very occasionally found themselves in trouble for not paying what was deemed to be a sufficient level of respect.
Foreign mobile phones and Global Positioning Systems have to be deposited with North Korean customs on entry into the country and collected on departure. It is also not advisable to bring books or other written material china travel agency in the Korean language. These and any other literature deemed subversive or pornographic by the North Korean authorities risk being confiscated from travellers on arrival.
You must hold a valid passport to enter North Korea. Your passport must be valid for the proposed duration of your stay. No additional period of validity beyond this is required. However, it is always sensible to have a short period of extra validity on your passport in case of any unforeseen china travel agency delays to your departure. You do not have to wait until your old passport expires to apply to renew it. Any time left on your old passport when you apply will be added to your new passport, up to a maximum of nine months. china travel agency For passport applications in the UK, you should apply to the Identity and Passport Service.
Single parents or other adults travelling alone with children should be aware that some countries require documentary evidence of parental responsibility before allowing lone parents to enter the country, or in some cases, before permitting the children to leave the country. We do not currently allow our staff based in North Korea to be accompanied by their children because of the limited medical facilities within North Korea.
Contact your GP around eight weeks before your trip to check whether you need any vaccinations or other preventive measures. Country specific information and advice is published by the National Travel Health Network and Centre, and useful information about healthcare abroad, including a country-by-country guide of reciprocal health care agreements with the UK, is available from NHS Choices.
Health facilities in North Korea are poor, even for foreigners. china travel agency Standards of clinical hygiene in hospitals are poor. Anaesthetics are sometimes unavailable and medicines, when available, china travel agency are sometimes out of date and inappropriately prescribed. Evacuation is necessary for serious illness/injury. Invasive surgery should be avoided if at all possible. Facilities for dental treatment are also poor.
Ensure that you take sufficient supplies of any medication that you may require, as local purchase of most foreign-manufactured china travel agency medicines is not possible and local medical supplies are severely limited. Make sure you have adequate travel health insurance and accessible funds to cover the cost of any medical treatment abroad and repatriation.
Japanese encephalitis occurs in North Korea, especially during china travel agency the summer. Cholera also occurs and all water is a potential health risk. You should drink or use only boiled or bottled water and avoid ice in drinks. If you suffer from diarrhoea during a visit to North Korea seek immediate medical attention.
If you need emergency medical china travel agency assistance china travel agency during your trip, dial 382 7688 and ask for an ambulance. You should contact your insurance/medical assistance company promptly if you are referred to a medical facility for treatment.
You should take out comprehensive medical and travel insurance before travelling to North Korea. Ensure that your insurance covers you for unexpected losses such as cancelled flights, theft of passport or luggage. Check for any exclusions, and that your policy covers you for all the activities you want to undertake. See our travel insurance page.
Register china travel agency with the British Embassy as soon as possible and preferably prior to arrival.  You may register with the FCO s  LOCATE service to tell us when and where you are travelling abroad or where you live abroad so our consular and crisis staff can provide better assistance to you in an emergency.
china travel agency From 1 January 2010 all transactions conducted in DPRK must be made using local currency (North Korean Won). However, as foreigners are not permitted china travel agency to obtain Won the shops and restaurants catering to visitors will change foreign currency into Won on site and at the official rate. Cash is the only acceptable form of payment, with the Euro and US Dollar being the most widely recognised and accepted currencies, although