North Korea
Travel Destination – North Korea
North Korea is one of the world’s most unique travel experiences. Well structured tours include highlights such as grand monuments in Pyongyang, large public squares, museums, and cultural performances. Travel to North Korea offers a glimpse into a fascinating society, with architecture and public spaces designed to convey national history and ideology.
Travel to North Korea is unlike travel anywhere else in the world and requires significant preparation. Thorough planning, strict adherence to local rules, and comprehensive health and safety preparation are essential to reduce risks and ensure a smooth journey.
Health Risks
Pre-travel preparation
Before travelling to North Korea, it is recommended to book an appointment with a travel doctor well in advance. A travel health consultation allows your doctor to review your vaccination history, recommend destination-specific immunisations, and provide prescriptions for any essential medications you may need to bring with you, as access to medical supplies inside North Korea may be limited. Your travel doctor can also discuss tailored advice based on your itinerary and length of stay. Ideally, schedule your appointment six to eight weeks before departure to allow time for multi-dose vaccines. Even if travel is imminent, a last-minute consultation remains valuable for essential health advice and accelerated vaccination schedules.
Insect avoidance
In North Korea, mosquitoes are present during warmer months and may transmit diseases such as Japanese encephalitis in rural or agricultural areas. Preventing insect bites is an important part of travel health protection. Travellers should wear long-sleeved shirts, long trousers, and closed footwear when outdoors, particularly at dusk and during the evening. Apply insect repellent containing DEET, picaridin, or oil of lemon eucalyptus and treat clothing with permethrin to provide further protection. Staying in accommodation with screened windows or air-conditioning helps reduce exposure, and using a permethrin-treated mosquito net is recommended if proper screening is unavailable.
Food and water hygiene
Food choices for travellers in North Korea are usually limited to meals provided by hotels and restaurants. Despite this, careful food and water hygiene remains essential to reduce the risk of gastroenteritis and other gastrointestinal infections. Wash hands thoroughly or use alcohol-based hand sanitiser before eating. Eat food that is freshly prepared, thoroughly cooked, and served hot. Drink only bottled, boiled, or treated water, and avoid ice unless you are certain it is made from safe water.
Rabies prevention
Although Australia is free of rabies, rabies is present in North Korea and can be carried by dogs and other mammals. Travellers should strictly avoid contact with animals, including stray dogs and wildlife. A travel doctor can advise whether pre-departure rabies vaccination is appropriate. Any bite, scratch, or saliva exposure from an animal requires urgent medical assessment. Rabies is almost always fatal once symptoms develop, so prevention and early management are critical.
Our Travel Doctors
Our fully qualified doctors have an interest in travel medicine and immunisations. And they know travel. Their expert advice will be tailored for you, your travel companions and your trip.
Which shots do I need for North Korea?
Hepatitis A
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Hepatitis A is a viral liver infection spread through contaminated food and water. Symptoms can range from mild illness to severe disease with yellowing of the skin and prolonged fatigue. Hepatitis A occurs more commonly in North Korea than in Australia, and many Australians are not routinely immunised. Travellers who have not completed a two-dose Hepatitis A vaccination course are advised to be vaccinated before travel.
Typhoid
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Typhoid is caused by a bacteria called Salmonella Typhi, which is spread through contaminated food or water. Symptoms include prolonged fever, fatigue, headache, abdominal pain, and gastrointestinal upset. The risk of typhoid is higher in North Korea than in Australia. Vaccination is recommended for travellers to North Korea, particularly for longer stays. As well as the vaccine, preventative measures include strict food and water hygiene.
Hepatitis B
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The hepatitis B virus can cause long term liver infection. It can spread through contact with infected blood or bodily fluids such as unsterile equipment, unprotected sex, or sharing personal items such as razors.
While many younger Australians are vaccinated, some adults remain unprotected. Hepatitis B vaccination may be recommended for travellers who are not immune, depending on risk factors and planned length of stay.
Japanese encephalitis virus
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Japanese Encephalitis is a mosquito-borne viral infection that is usually mild or asymptomatic but can, in rare cases, cause severe brain inflammation that may be life-threatening.
Risk is higher in rural and agricultural regions, especially during warmer months. Preventing mosquito bites is essential, and vaccination may be recommended for travellers depending on duration of stay and activities. A travel doctor can assess individual risk and advise accordingly.
Routine vaccinations
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Thanks to Australia’s National Immunisation Program, diseases such as measles, mumps, rubella, and tetanus are uncommon at home. However, these infections circulate more widely in North Korea.
Before travelling, it is important to ensure routine vaccinations are up to date. A travel health consultation can identify gaps and advise on boosters such as measles-mumps-rubella (MMR), tetanus, influenza, and COVID-19.
North Korea
Other health risks in North Korea
Malaria
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Malaria is present in some areas of North Korea, particularly in the southern provinces. Malaria is transmitted by mosquitoes, primarily at night, causing symptoms such as fever, chills, headache, muscle aches, and fatigue. Severe malaria can be life-threatening if not treated promptly. Prevention includes strict mosquito avoidance, and taking antimalarial medication may be appropriate. A travel doctor can advise whether malaria tablets are recommended for your itinerary and which option is most suitable.
Rabies
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Although Australia is free of rabies, rabies is present in North Korea and can be carried by dogs and other mammals. Travellers should strictly avoid contact with animals, including stray dogs and wildlife. A travel doctor can advise whether pre-exposure rabies vaccination is appropriate. Any bite, scratch, or saliva exposure from an animal requires urgent medical assessment. Rabies is almost always fatal once symptoms develop, so prevention and early management are critical.
Gastroenteritis
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Gastroenteritis or travellers’ diarrhoea is usually caused by bacteria in contaminated food or water. Symptoms typically develop within 24 to 72 hours and include diarrhoea, nausea, vomiting, and abdominal pain.
Maintaining hydration is the most important treatment, ideally using oral rehydration solutions. Most cases resolve within a few days, but medical care should be sought for severe or prolonged illness or when symptoms are unusual. Prevention through good hand hygiene and careful food and water choices is essential.
Non-infectious conditions
Safety on the roads and elsewhere
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The Australian government's Smartraveller website has the latest advice regarding travel to North Korea. Be aware that the security situation is often uncertain and independent exploration is generally not permitted.
Road conditions and vehicles may not always meet Australian safety standards. Comprehensive travel insurance that includes medical care and evacuation is essential.
Deep vein thrombosis
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Long flights and extended road or rail travel can increase the risk of deep vein thrombosis. DVT occurs when slow blood flow causes clot formation in deep veins, usually in the legs. To reduce risk, move regularly during long journeys, stretch your legs, and stay well hydrated. Travellers with additional risk factors may benefit from wearing below-knee compression stockings. DVT is typically treated with blood-thinning medication.