North Korea
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Capital
Pyongyang
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Local time
13:42
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Population
25.37 m
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Driving side
Right
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Calling code
+850
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Currency
₩ KPW (won)
North Korea
-
Capital
Pyongyang
-
Local time
13:42
-
Population
25.37 m
-
Driving side
Right
-
Calling code
+850
-
Currency
₩ KPW (won)
-
Petrol price
€ 0.94 pl
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Precipitation
1 054mm /year
Geography & travel
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Country Area
120 540 km2
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Protected Area
3%
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Forest Area
42%
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Agricultural area
21%
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Annual air passengers
94 919
Population
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Ethnicity
racially homogeneous
Chinese community
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Religion
Buddhism and Confucianism
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Literacy rates
100.0%
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Languages
Korean
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Armed Forces
1 379 000
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Murders
4 per 100k
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Alcohol consumption
4.4 l/person
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Diabetes
4.4%
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Malaria
1%
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Tuberculosis
561 per 100k
Economy
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Industries
military products, machine building, electric power, chemicals, mining, iron ore, limestone, magnesite, graphite
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Agriculture
rice, corn, potatoes, soybeans, pulses, cattle, pigs, pork, eggs
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Natural Resources
coal, lead, tungsten, zinc, graphite, magnesite, iron ore, copper, gold
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Energy Import
-74%
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Natural Resources
coal, lead, tungsten, zinc, graphite, magnesite, iron ore, copper, gold
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Renewable Energy
17%
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CO2 Emissions
40 528kt
What not to do when visiting North Korea
Eastern Asia Don't sit or stand on Buddha statue for taking a picture. This can lead to stay in prison.
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Not useful
North Korea Don’t forget to shake hands, together with nodding and a little bow when greeting (men). Women and men greet verbally in most cases.
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Eastern Asia Don't make a long eye contact - it's tactless.
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Did you know?
North Korea claims to have a 100% literacy rate.
Eastern Asia Don’t forget to show respect when greeting. While foreigners are expected to shake hands, the traditional form of greeting is the bow - the deeper you bow, the more respect you show. A foreign visitor ('gaijin') may bow the head slightly since no one expects foreigners to understand the subtle nuances of bowing generally.
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North Korea Don’t show disrespect in any form to the country’s current and former leaders - it’s considered a criminal act or even espionage.
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North Korea Don't fail to comply with all instructions issued by ”minders” who will be deployed to monitor your activities - failure can result in deportation.
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North Korea Don’t enter or leave North Korea through the border with South Korea without special permission.
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North Korea Don’t take unauthorised photographs - it can be viewed as espionage and the equipment may be confiscated. Don’t proselytise.
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North Korea Don’t necessarily interact with the local population - it’s illegal.
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Tell us your experience
We love to hear from people who have travelled the world and know ‘what not to do’. Why not help other people on their travels?
North Korea Don’t try to bring GPS devices they must be left with North Korean customs on entry and collected on departure. Mobile phones can be brought, but must be registered at the airport, and only North Korean SIM card can be used.
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North Korea Don’t exchange currency with an unauthorised vendor - it’s illegal.
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North Korea Don’t necessarily shop at stores not designated for foreigners - it’s illegal.
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North Korea Don’t assume that joining a tour group will keep you safe from close monitoring and reporting to the authorities. It’s still in place.
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North Korea Don’t take unauthorised trips - it’s illegal.
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North Korea Don’t engage in unsanctioned political activities - it’s illegal.
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North Korea Don’t be a victim of mosquito-borne diseases - protect yourself against bites by mosquitoes.
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North Korea Don’t forget the typhoon season usually runs between July and August.
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Tell us your experience
We love to hear from people who have travelled the world and know ‘what not to do’. Why not help other people on their travels?
Eastern Asia Don't laugh with your mouth fully open - hold your hand in front of your mouth when laughing.
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- Not useful
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