North Korea
Last update 24 April 2025Diplomatic missions
Risk index
Level 3: Avoid non-essiential travel (Do not travel in certain areas of the country unless necessary)
3
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Democratic People’s Republic of Korea
The Embassy of the Republic of Bulgaria in Pyongyang, DPRK is temporarily closed.
Embassy of the Republic of Bulgaria in DPRK
Embassy of the Republic of Bulgaria – Pyongyang, DPR of Korea
Address: No. 4, Block No. 5, Diplomatic Compound, Munsu-dong, Taedonggang District, Pyongyang City;
Telephone: +850-191-251-2114
Fax:
Out-of-hours hotline: +850-191-251-2114
Working hours: 08:30 – 17:30
E-mail: [email protected]
Website: www.mfa.bg/embassies/nordkorea
Consular:
Administrative services for Bulgarian and Korean citizens are provided by the Consular Office of the Embassy of the Republic of Bulgaria in Beijing, People’s Republic of China.
Embassy of the DPRK in the Republic of Bulgaria
Address: 1756 Sofia, Darvenitsa Borough 3 Sofiisko pole St.
Telephone: +359 2 975 33 40; +359 2 974 61 00
Fax: +359 2 974 55 67
Working hours: 09:00 – 12:00; 15:00 – 18:00
Consular Department:
Telephone: +359 2 974 61 11; +359 2 975 33 40
Working hours: 09:00 – 12:00; 14:30 – 18:00
Trade representation:
Telephone: +359 2 975 30 49
E-mail: [email protected]
General information
Security level:
High level of security, with zero crime.
Healthcare:
Good level of healthcare in the territory of the DPRK.
Recommended vaccines and personal hygiene advice:
No special vaccines are required for travelling to the DPRK.
Customs requirements:
Prohibited for import are:
— Radio communication and GPS navigation devices as well as mobile phones. They shall be surrendered upon entry into the country and returned to the owners on final departure;
— Foreign literature and videos.
Prohibited for import and export without special permission are:
— Firearms and ammunition;
— Cold weapon;
— Drugs, poisons;
— Radioactive substances;
— Living plants;
— Animals — an international veterinary certificate and proof of vaccination is required for import of domestic animals.
Customs requirements for DPRK can be downloaded from HERE.
Practical advice:
Strictly observe the rules in the host country and the prescriptions of the travel agency during an organized visit to the territory of the DPRK. Making a tourist trip in fact is only possible within an organized group with the assistance of a travel agency. It should also take over the provision of the necessary visas. The movement of tourists in the DPRK is only organized. Groups are always accompanied by at least two North Korean nationals. The mobile phones and GPS devices of arriving foreign nationals are seized at the airport and returned upon departure. Internet use by foreign tourists on DPRK territory is practically impossible. Filming on DPRK territory should be carried out with extreme caution and only after prior permission has been sought from the local nationals accompanying the group. It is advisable for Bulgarians visiting the DPRK to have medical insurance and to carry with them their essential medicines.
Local currency:
North Korean won (KPW)
No credit or debit card payments are currently possible in the DPRK.
It is advisable for each traveller to carry the necessary funds in euros, US dollars or Chinese yuan. Preferably in small denomination notes.
Climatic characteristics:
The climate is temperate continental, with heavy rainfall in summer during a short rainy season (chanma). In late spring there is some drying after the heavy spring rains. Winter lasts from December to March and varies from mild in the south to harsh in the north-central parts, where the average temperature in January is -23 °C. Temperature differences are large. The lowest measured temperature is -46.5 °C, while summer temperatures in Pyongyang reach +30 °C. In 2007, North Korea was hit by the worst floods in 40 years, killing hundreds of people.
North Korea has a dense river network, with full-flowing rivers. The longest is the Amnok (Yalu) River, most of which is navigable. All the major rivers including the Amnok, the Ch’ongch’on, the Taedong and the Chaeryong flow into the Yellow Sea. The exception is the Tuman River, which flows into the Sea of Japan.
Forests occupy about 80% of the territory. Timber harvesting is widespread. A small part of the plains is occupied by woodlands. Over 60% of the ground is locally formed granitic rock and shale. Soils are mostly brown and infertile due to low organic matter content, but river valleys and coastal plains have relatively fertile alluvial soil.
The flora includes coniferous species such as Siberian fir, spruce, pine and Korean pine in the higher parts of the country. The western plains were covered by mixed forests, but due to deforestation only a small part of them remains. Oak, tilia, birch and maple grow on the hills. The fauna is represented by deer, goats, tigers and leopards, but their populations have declined due to deforestation. Wild pigeons, herons and cranes are found in the plains. Biodiversity is particularly rich in the Demilitarised Zone, which over time has become one of the cleanest areas in Asia.
Travel papers and visas
All Bulgarian citizens holding regular passports need entry visas. The same can be obtained at the Embassy of the DPRK in Sofia.
Holders of official and diplomatic passports travel visa-free.
Consular service
Bulgarian identity documents
Bulgarian citizens who wish to apply for Bulgarian identity documents may do so at the Consular Office of the Embassy of the Republic of Bulgaria in the People's Republic of China.
Legalizations and Certifications
Bulgaria and the DPRK have signed a legal assistance agreement, under which documents/deeds drawn up in either country do not require further legalization to serve before the authorities of the other country.
Taxi
Entrance fee (upon arrival at the airport in Pyongyang) — about EUR 11.