This advice has been reviewed and reissued. It contains new information in the Summary and under both Safety and Security : Civil Unrest/Political Tension (general information about the restrictions on public information) and Where to Get Help (Australian Embassy, Seoul, Republic of Korea). The overall level of the advice has not changed.

Summary

Safety and Security

Terrorism

Terrorism is a threat throughout the world. You can find more information about this threat in our General Advice to Australian Travellers.

Civil Unrest/Political Tension

The DPRK is separated from the Republic of Korea in the south by a demilitarized zone (see Local Travel). The DPRK conducted a nuclear test on 9 October 2006.

Although stability on the Korean Peninsula remains a priority for the South Korean Government, the relationship between the two Koreas varies from time to time. Pay close attention to your personal security and, to the extent possible, monitor the media for information about possible new safety or security risks.

Little information is available in the DPRK about internal political developments. Although access to international satellite TV channels may be available in hotels used by foreigners, such access cannot be relied upon. Civil unrest, internal instability and/or an escalation of tensions on the Korean Peninsula could arise rapidly and without warning. Information about unfolding situations may be severely limited.

Local Travel

Independent tourism is not permitted in the DPRK and travel within the country is severely restricted. Tourism is only permitted in groups organised by DPRK officials, or by approved travel agencies. Foreigners are expected to be accompanied by an official guide at all times and are often required to present their identity documents at police checkpoints when entering and leaving towns.

Entry to the DPRK from South Korea is limited to the Kaesong industrial zone and the Mount Kumgang resort on the border. Visa arrangements are made by the operator of the two inter-Korean projects, Hyundai Asan.

Tourists are not allowed to drive. Foreign residents must obtain a local licence by passing a driving test.

Mobile phones may be confiscated on your arrival into the DPRK and returned to you on your departure. International phone lines in the DPRK may be disconnected without notice. Some hotels in Pyongyang provide for direct dial international telephone calls but charges are very expensive.

Food shortages are widespread in the DPRK, but food can be purchased with hard currencies at some hotels and restaurants. Energy and pharmaceuticals are also in short supply. Modern tourist facilities are limited.

Airline Safety

Passengers on international flights to and from Australia are only allowed to carry a small amount of liquids (including aerosols and gels) in their carry-on baggage. You can find out more information at the Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government website. Similar restrictions apply to flights in an increasing number of countries. Contact your airline for further information.

If you have concerns about the safety standards of a particular airline or aircraft, we recommend you research the airline or aircraft through organisations such as Australia's Civil Aviation Safety Authority and the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO). The Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government has published fact sheets on security for air travellers. When staff at Australia's overseas missions are advised not to use particular airlines due to safety concerns, this will be included in the travel advisory.

The European Union (EU) has published a list of airlines that are subject to operating bans or restrictions within the EU. The United States Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) through its foreign assessment program focuses on a country's ability, not the individual airline, to adhere to international standards and recommended practices for aircraft operations and maintenance established by ICAO.

Natural Disasters, Severe Weather and Climate

The typhoon season is from July to August during which time flooding may disrupt travel, especially in rural areas. You should check whether areas you intend to travel to have been affected.

The direction and strength of typhoons can change with little warning. You can check the latest typhoon information from the World Meteorological Organisation Severe Weather Information Centre and Asia Pacific Disaster Alerts.

In the event of an approaching typhoon, you should identify your local shelter. Flights in and out of affected areas could be delayed or suspended. Available flights may fill quickly. You should contact your airline for the latest flight information. The typhoon could also affect access to sea ports in the region. In some areas, adequate shelter from a severe typhoon may not be available to all who may choose to stay. You should familiarise yourself with your hotel or cruise ship evacuation plans. You should carry your travel documents at all times (i.e. Passport, picture ID's, etc.) or secure them in a safe, waterproof location. We also suggest that you contact friends and family in Australia with updates about your welfare and whereabouts. For further information, see our Travel Bulletin: Severe Weather – Cyclones, Hurricanes and Typhoons.

All oceanic regions of the world can experience tsunamis, but in the Indian and Pacific Oceans, there is a more frequent occurrence of large, destructive tsunamis because of the many large earthquakes along major tectonic plate boundaries and ocean trenches. See the Tsunami Awareness brochure.

Information on natural disasters can be obtained from the Humanitarian Early Warning Service. If a natural disaster occurs, follow the advice of local authorities.

Wildlife Watching

Australians are advised to maintain a safe and legal distance when observing wildlife, including marine animals and birds. You should only use reputable and professional guides or tour operators and closely follow park regulations and wardens' advice.

Money and Valuables

Banking facilities are limited in the DPRK and travellers may experience difficulties in exchanging currencies. Travellers' cheques are not accepted, ATMs are not available and it is not possible to use a debit or credit card to withdraw cash in the DPRK.

Foreigners are not permitted to use the local currency. Cash is the most acceptable form of payment, with the Euro being the most widely accepted currency. US dollars and Chinese RMB are also widely accepted.

Make two photocopies of valuables such as your passport, tickets, visas and travellers' cheques. Keep one copy with you in a separate place to the original and leave another copy with someone at home.

While travelling, don't carry too much cash and remember that expensive watches, jewellery and cameras may be tempting targets for thieves.

As a sensible precaution against luggage tampering, including theft, lock your luggage. Information on luggage safety is available from Australia's Civil Aviation Safety Authority.

Your passport is a valuable document that is attractive to criminals who may try to use your identity to commit crimes. It should always be kept in a safe place. You are required by Australian law to report a lost or stolen passport. If your passport is lost or stolen overseas, report it online or contact the nearest Australian Embassy, High Commission or Consulate as soon as possible.

You are required to pay an additional fee to have a lost or stolen passport replaced. In some cases, the Government may also restrict the length of validity or type of replacement passports.

For Parents

If you are planning on placing your children in schools or childcare facilities overseas we encourage you to research the standards of security, care and staff training within those establishments. You should exercise the same precautions you would take before placing children into schools or childcare facilities in Australia.

Ideas on how to select childcare providers are available from the smartraveller Children's Issues page, Child Wise and the National Childcare Accreditation Council.

Local Laws

When you are in DPRK, be aware that local laws and penalties, including ones that appear harsh by Australian standards, do apply to you. If you are arrested or jailed, the Australian Government will do what it can to help you but we can't get you out of trouble or out of jail.

Information on what Australian consular officers can and cannot do to help Australians in trouble overseas is available from the Consular Services Charter.

Foreign visitors may be arrested, detained or expelled for activities that would not be considered crimes in Australia, including unsanctioned religious and political activities, unauthorised travel, or unwarranted interaction with local nationals.

Authorities may impose travel restrictions on foreigners involved in a civil or commercial dispute in the DPRK.

Showing disrespect, including in jest, to the country's current or former leadership or their families is a crime in the DPRK. Foreigners in the DPRK are closely observed by the authorities, which may include searching belongings in hotel rooms and monitoring telephone and facsimile services.

Penalties for drug offences are severe. Parole is rarely given in drug-related cases. Trafficking may result in an indefinite imprisonment.

Photographing roads, bridges, airports, rail stations, seaports, or anything other than designated public tourist sites can be perceived as espionage and may result in confiscation of cameras and film, and/or detention. Photographing scenes of poverty or scenes that may cause a negative impression of the DPRK may also result in confiscation. North Korean guides can provide permission to take photographs. DPRK authorities may seize documents, literature, audio and videotapes, compact discs and letters which they deem to be religious, pornographic or political in nature.

Foreign travellers are not permitted to carry satellite phones such as Inmarsat and these may be confiscated on entry. Mobile phones and global positioning satellite (GPS) receivers are also not permitted and must be deposited on entry and collected on departure at the Customs checkpoint.

You should not bring books or other material written in Korean, or literature (in any language) which DPRK officials could perceive as subversive or pornographic.

Australians travelling to the DPRK should familiarise themselves with the operation of United Nations sanctions and, in particular, with prohibitions on transferring luxury goods to the DPRK. Australians travelling to the DPRK are permitted to carry items on the luxury goods lists for personal use only (not for sale, supply or transfer to others).

Some Australian criminal laws, such as those relating to money laundering, bribery of foreign public officials, terrorism and child sex tourism, apply to Australians overseas. Australians who commit these offences while overseas may be prosecuted in Australia.

Australian authorities are committed to combating sexual exploitation of children by Australians overseas. Australians may be prosecuted at home under Australian child sex tourism laws. These laws provide severe penalties of up to 17 years imprisonment for Australians who engage in sexual activity with children under 16 while outside of Australia.

Information for Dual Nationals

The DPRK does not recognise dual nationality. This may limit the ability of the Australian Government to provide consular assistance to Australian/DPRK dual nationals who are arrested or detained.

Our Travel Information for Dual Nationals brochure provides further information for dual nationals.

Entry and Exit Requirements

Visa and other entry and exit conditions (such as currency, customs and quarantine regulations) change regularly. Contact the nearest Embassy or Consulate of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea for the most up to date information.

If you are considering travel to the DPRK, be aware that almost all travel into the country is routed through Beijing. A single or double entry visa for China may be required, depending on how long and where you will stay in China while en route to the DPRK. We recommend you consult our travel advice for the People's Republic of China and contact the nearest Embassy or Consulate of the People's Republic of China for the most up to date visa information.

Foreigners who enter the DPRK are expected to register with the authorities, through their host organisation, within 24 hours of arrival. If staying in a hotel the registration process is normally carried out by the hotel.

Health Issues

We strongly recommend that you take out comprehensive travel insurance that will cover any overseas medical costs, before you depart. Confirm that your insurance covers you for the whole time you'll be away and check what circumstances and activities are not included in your policy. Remember, regardless of how healthy and fit you are, if you can't afford travel insurance, you can't afford to travel.

Your doctor or travel clinic is the best source of information about preventive measures, immunisations (including booster doses of childhood vaccinations) and disease outbreaks overseas. The World Health Organization (WHO) provides information for travellers and our 'Travelling Well' brochure also provides useful tips for travelling with medicines and staying healthy while overseas.

The standard of medical facilities in the DPRK is poor. Doctors and hospitals may expect immediate cash payment for services. A hospital for foreigners, with English speaking doctors, operates in the Munsudong District of Pyongyang, but even hospitals in Pyongyang may lack adequate heating and medical supplies and often experience power outages and other difficulties. In the event of a serious accident or illness, medical evacuation may be necessary. Medical evacuations are expensive and delays may be experienced obtaining the required approvals.

Malaria is a risk in the south of the country, especially from May to September. There is no malaria risk in the capital Pyongyang. We recommend that you consider the need for prophylaxis against malaria and use insect repellent where necessary.

The mosquito-borne disease Japanese encephalitis is found throughout many regions of Asia. Australia is currently managing a potential shortage of Japanese encephalitis vaccine which may affect the availability of the vaccine to some travellers. For further details see the Department of Health and Ageing's website or consult your doctor.

Water-borne, food-borne, and other infectious diseases (including tuberculosis, typhoid, hepatitis, measles, cholera and rabies) occur with more serious outbreaks occurring from time to time. There has been an outbreak of Hand, Foot and Mouth Disease (HFMD) in the region, most notably in China. HFMD is transmitted via respiratory droplets and is characterised by fever, blisters and rashes on the hands, feet and buttocks. It mainly affects small children. The World Health Organization (WHO) provides information on preventative measures.

We encourage you to consider having vaccinations before travelling. We advise you to boil all drinking water or drink bottled water, and avoid ice cubes and raw and undercooked food.

Quarantine regulations are likely to be strictly applied by local authorities to travellers who exhibit medical symptoms related to serious communicable disease. Further information is available from the nearest Embassy or Consulate of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea.

The World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE) has confirmed cases of avian influenza in birds in a number of countries throughout the world. For a list of these countries, visit the OIE website. For information on our advice to Australians on how to reduce the risk of infection and on Australian Government precautions see our travel bulletin on avian influenza.

Where to Get Help

Australia does not have an Embassy or Consulate in the DPRK. You can obtain consular assistance from the nearest Australian Embassy which is in Seoul, Republic of Korea:

Australian Embassy
11th floor, Kyobo Building
1, Jongro 1-ga
Jongro-gu
Seoul 110-714 Republic of Korea
Telephone : 82-2-2003 0100
Facsimile : 82-2 722 9264
Website: http://www.southkorea.embassy.gov.au

The Swedish Embassy in Pyongyang can provide limited consular assistance. Contact details are:

Swedish Embassy
Munsudong District
Pyongyang,
DEMOCRATIC PEOPLE'S REPUBLIC OF KOREA
Telephone (850 2) 381 7904 or (850 2) 381 7485
Facsimile (850 2) 381 7663.

If you are travelling to the DPRK, whatever the reason and however long you'll be there, we encourage you to register with the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade. You can register online or in person at any Australian Embassy, High Commission or Consulate. The information you provide will help us to contact you in an emergency - whether it is a natural disaster, civil disturbance or a family issue.

In a consular emergency, if you are unable to contact the Embassy you can contact the 24-hour Consular Emergency Centre on +61 2 6261 3305 or 1300 555 135 within Australia.

In Australia, the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade in Canberra may be contacted on (02) 6261 3305.