🇰🇵 North Korea visa requirements for South Korean citizens
Yes — South Korean citizens need a visa to enter North Korea, normally arranged through an embassy or consulate before traveling.
Entry rules for South Korea passport holders
South Korean citizens must obtain a visa before traveling to North Korea. Applications generally go through a North Korea embassy or consulate and require a completed form, passport photos, proof of accommodation and onward travel, and sometimes travel insurance. Start the process several weeks before your planned trip, as processing times vary.
Entry rules can change at short notice. Always confirm current requirements with the official North Korea immigration authority or your nearest embassy before booking.
How this compares
The South Korean passport ranks #2 worldwide, opening 166 destinations without a visa arranged in advance (116 visa-free, 41 with a visa on arrival and 9 with an eTA). North Korea is not among them — it is one of the 15 destinations that still require an embassy visa or an application before departure.
In the other direction, North Korean citizens traveling to South Korea face a different rule: e-visa.
Across Eastern Asia as a whole, 6 of 7 destinations are open to South Korean travelers without arranging a visa in advance.
About North Korea
- Capital
- Pyongyang
- Region
- Eastern Asia
- Currency
- North Korean won (₩)
- Languages
- Korean
Planning a trip to North Korea?
- Compare flights →
- Tours and activities →
- Airport transfers →
- Claim flight compensation →
- Rent a car locally →
- City attraction passes →
Some links above are affiliate links — booking through them supports this site at no extra cost to you.
Frequently asked questions
Do South Korean citizens need a visa for North Korea?
Yes — South Korean citizens need a visa to enter North Korea, normally arranged through an embassy or consulate before traveling.
What currency is used in North Korea?
The currency in North Korea is the North Korean won (₩). The capital city is Pyongyang.
Is this information up to date?
Current status: Visa required for South Korean citizens traveling to North Korea. This page is built from the open Passport Index dataset, which was last updated on 2025-01-12. Visa rules can change between dataset updates, so always confirm with the North Korea embassy or immigration authority before booking.
More of Asia for South Korean passport holders
Popular destinations for South Korean travelers
Going the other way? South Korea visa requirements for North Korean citizens →
Source data last updated 2025-01-12.