Korea, D.P.R. of
General Information for Korea, DPR of
Geo-political:
Capital City: Pyongyang.
Nationality: (noun) Korean, (adjective) Korean.
Population: 22,665,345.
Communications:
International Direct Dial Code: 850.
Number of Internal Airports: 37.
Major Languages Spoken: Korean.
Economy:
Currency: 1 North Korean Won (KPW) of 100 Chon.
Main Industries: Military products, machine building, electric power, chemicals, mining (iron ore,
limestone, magnesite, graphite, copper, zinc, lead, and precious metals), metallurgy,
textiles, food processing and tourism.
Environment:
Territorial Sea: 12 n.m.
Other Maritime Claims: Exclusive Economic Zone: 200 n.m. Note: military boundary line 50 n.m. in the Sea
of Japan and the exclusive economic zone limit in the Yellow Sea where all foreign
vessels and aircraft without permission are banned.
Coastline Extent: 2,495 km.
Climate: Temperate with rainfall concentrated in summer.
Natural Resources: Coal, lead, tungsten, zinc, graphite, magnesite, iron ore, copper, gold, pyrites,
salt, fluorspar and hydropower.
Natural Hazards: Late spring droughts often followed by severe flooding; occasional typhoons during
the early fall.
Terrain: Mostly hills and mountains separated by deep, narrow valleys; coastal plains wide
in west, discontinuous in east.
MEDICAL:
Health facilities in DPR of Korea are poor, and standards of clinical hygiene in hospitals
are poor. Anaesthetics are sometimes unavailable. Evacuation is necessary for serious
illness/injury. Invasive surgery should be avoided if at all possible. Facilities
for dental treatment are also poor.
Local purchase of most foreign-manufactured medicines is not possible and local medical
supplies are severely limited.
Japanese encephalitis occurs in DPR of Korea, especially during the summer. Cholera
also occurs, and all water is a potential health risk. It is recommended to drink
or use only boiled or bottled water and avoid ice in drinks. If suffering from diarrhoea
during a visit to DPR of Korea, seek immediate medical attention.
Also see "
General".
HOLIDAYS:
1 January (New Year's Day); 16 February (Kim Jong-il's Birthday); 1st day of 1st lunar
month (Seollal); 15 April (Kim Il-sung's Birthday); 25 April (Army Day); 1 May (Labour
Day); 5th day of 5th lunar month (Surinal); 27 July (Victory Day); 15 August (Liberation
Day); 9 September (Independence Day); 15th day of 8th lunar month (Hangawi); 10 October
(Founding of the Workers Party of Korea); 27 December (Constitution Day).
TELEPHONES:
Foreign mobile phones and Global Positioning Systems have to be deposited with North
Korean Customs on entry into the country and collected on departure.
Also see "
General".
CONNECTIONS:
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.
There is a rail service between Pyongyang 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 from Beijing to Pyongyang operated
by Air China twice per week (three times per week between 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 appropriate oversight by its
authority. The rest of its fleet remains barred from operating into the EU.'' The
two aircraft referred to in the text are both the Tupolev Tu204 model.
Despite being on the EU blacklist Air Koryo is still used by some members of Pyongyang’s
international community, including businesspeople, diplomats, NGOs and International
Organisations. It is advised to avoid using Air Koryo unless operationally essential.
Bear this in mind when making your travel plans.
Also see "
General".
BANKS:
From 1 January 2010, all transactions conducted in DPRK must be made using local currency
(North Korean Won), however, as foreigners are not permitted 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 most acceptable form of payment, and the Euro is the most widely recognised
and accepted currency, although US Dollars and Chinese RMB are also widely accepted.
The import and export of local currency is prohibited. The import and export of foreign
currency is unrestricted, subject to declaration on arrival. Credit cards and travellers'
cheques are not accepted.
Also see "
General".
SHORE LEAVE:
Crime against foreigners in North Korea is unusual but not unheard of. Exercise normal
safety precautions and ensure that valuables are secure.
Always carry some form of identification.
Tipping is officially frowned upon, but is increasingly expected by some hotel staff.
Also see "
General".
GENERAL:
It is not advisable to bring books or other written material 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.
Information obtained from UK Foreign & Commonwealth Office website. Consult
www.fco.gov.uk/ for updates.
