North Korea Travel Risk

Do not travel to North Korea due to wrongful detention and other risks.

Do not travel to North Korea due to the continuing serious risk of arrest, long-term detention, and the threat of wrongful detention of U.S. citizens.

Do not travel to the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea for any reason.

• U.S. passports cannot be used to travel to, in, or through the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK or North Korea) unless they are specially validated for such travel by the Secretary of State.
• Special validations are granted only in very limited circumstances. Review the information on how to apply for the special validation.

Because the U.S. government does not have diplomatic relations with North Korea, it cannot provide direct help to U.S. citizens in North Korea in emergencies.

• Sweden serves as the U.S. protecting power in North Korea through its Embassy in Pyongyang and provides limited consular services to U.S. citizens. Additionally, the North Korean government has often delayed or denied Swedish officials access to U.S. citizens who are detained.
• The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has issued a Notice to Airmen (NOTAM) or a Special Federal Aviation Regulation (SFAR). This is due to the risks to civil aviation operating within or in the vicinity of North Korea.
• For more information U.S. citizens should consult the Federal Aviation Administration’s Prohibitions, Restrictions and Notices.

Your travel insurance could be invalidated if you travel against advice from the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO).

FCDO advises against all but essential travel to North Korea

The level of tension on the Korean Peninsula remains high. While daily life in the capital city, Pyongyang, may appear calm, the security situation in North Korea can change quickly with no advance warning about possible actions by the authorities. This poses significant risks to British visitors and residents. See Safety and security.

Border restrictions

North Korea’s borders have been closed to general entry since the government imposed COVID-19 border restrictions in 2020.

The government has recently started to relax the COVID restrictions. As a result, some embassies have resumed normal operations and some limited tourism has restarted.

However, the North Korean government has not resumed all passenger routes into and out of North Korea. Many embassies – including the British Embassy in Pyongyang – remain closed.

Terrorism

There is a high threat of terrorist attack globally affecting UK interests and British nationals, including from groups and individuals who view the UK and British nationals as targets. Stay aware of your surroundings at all times.

UK Counter Terrorism Policing has information and advice on staying safe and what to do in the event of a terrorist attack. Find out how to reduce your risk from terrorism while abroad.

Terrorism in North Korea

Although there’s no recent history of terrorism in North Korea, attacks cannot be ruled out.

Political situation

The level of tension on the Korean peninsula remains high. Political negotiations between North Korea and the United States in 2018 to 2019 broke down and have not resumed. North and South Korea agreed a set of security guidelines in 2019 to reduce the risk of accidental cross-border conflict, but both sides have now withdrawn from this agreement.

In late 2023, the North Korean government changed its reunification policy, leading to increased tensions with South Korea. North Korea continues to develop nuclear weapons and ballistic missiles, although these are banned by UN Security Council resolutions. North Korea’s material and political support for Russia’s illegal invasion of Ukraine has further strained relations with much of the international community.

Inter-Korean tensions usually rise around the time of South Korean-US military exercises, often held in the spring and autumn.

Nuclear and missile tests

North Korea carried out 6 underground nuclear tests between 2006 and 2017 and has stated that it reserves the right to carry out further tests.

North Korea also regularly conducts ballistic missile test launches, sometimes without giving the required notice to international aviation authorities, and against UN Security Council resolutions.

Risk level

NORTH KOREA - AVOID ALL TRAVEL

Avoid all travel to North Korea due to the risk of arbitrary detention and the uncertain security situation caused by its nuclear weapons development program and highly repressive regime.

There is no resident Canadian government office in North Korea. Sweden is Canada’s protecting power in North Korea. The ability of Canadian officials to provide consular assistance in North Korea is extremely limited.

North Korea’s borders have been closed to travellers from most countries since 2020.

Entering North Korea could be extremely difficult. If you choose to travel to North Korea despite the advisory in place, register with the Embassy of Canada to the Republic of Korea, in Seoul, and the Embassy of Sweden to North Korea, in Pyongyang.

Safety information

If you are detained, particularly outside of Pyongyang, Canadian and Swedish officials may not be able to provide consular assistance. The North Korean government exercises strict control over consular access. There is limited knowledge of the North Korean police and judicial systems, which may further affect our ability to assist you.

There are serious shortages of food, electricity and clean water.

You have no right to privacy. Your movements and communications may be under surveillance at any time. Your personal belongings may be searched, and authorities may review the contents stored on your electronic devices.

Tensions on the Korean Peninsula

Tensions on the Korean Peninsula could escalate with little notice and the security situation could deteriorate suddenly. Tensions may increase before, during and after North Korean nuclear and missile tests, military exercises or as the result of incidents or military activities at or near the inter-Korean border.

There is extremely limited access to international media broadcasts in North Korea, and you may be taken by surprise by events that could affect your security.

朝鲜风险等级为黄色（中风险）。

外交部提醒在朝鲜中国公民密切关注当地安全形势，提高警惕，加强防范，注意安全。如遇紧急情况，请及时报警并与中国驻当地使领馆取得联系。

外交部和驻外使领馆将继续密切关注海外安全形势变化，动态调整有关风险评估，并实时在中国领事服务网等平台发布、更新相应安全提醒，请持续关注。