East Asia

North Korea

The Democratic People's Republic of Korea (North Korea or DPRK) is a highly-centralized Communist state. Tourist facilities are not widely available. Tourism in North Korea is permitted only in officially organized groups authorized by the Government of North Korea. Independent tourism is not permitted. Telephone and other communications are limited. In recent years, North Korea has experienced lower crop production and other economic difficulties, which have resulted in serious shortages of food, electrical power, clean water and medicine.

CRIME: The North Korean government does not release statistics on crime. Foreigners residing in Pyongyang report that street crime is rare; however, there have been some reports of petty theft, especially at the airport in Pyongyang.

MEDICAL FACILITIES: Persons with medical problems should be aware that, because of continuing economic hardship, the level of medical care falls far below Western standards, and medical care for travellers who become ill or injured in North Korea, including emergency medical evacuation, is generally not available. Hospitals in Pyongyang and other cities often lack heat, medicine, and even basic supplies, and suffer from frequent power outages. Hospitals do not have food for patients. Functioning telephones are not widely available, making it difficult to summon assistance in a medical emergency. Travellers should not bring personal medications to North Korea without written authorization from the North Korean Embassy in a third country or the North Korean Mission to the United Nations in New York. Absent such permission, persons requiring regular medication should not travel to North Korea. Hospitals will expect immediate U.S. dollar cash payment for medical treatment.

Arthropodborne diseases:

We recommend:

Usage of long-sleeved shirt and long pants to wear whenever possible while outside, to prevent illnesses carried by insects
Usage og insect repellent containing DEET (diethylmethyltoluamide), in 30%–35% strength for adults and 6%–10% for children. Unless you are staying in air-conditioned or well-screened housing
Usage of a bed net impregnated with the insecticide permethrin.
Staying and sleeping in air-conditioned houses

Water- and foodborne diseases:

Other diseases:

Vaccinations we recommend:

Hepatitis A or Immune Globulin
Hepatitis B or Immune Globulin
Japanes encephalitis, only if you plan to visit rural areas for 4 weeks or mor
Rabies - if risk for contact with wild or domestic animals
Typhoid vaccination is particularly important because of the presence of S. typhi strains resistant to multiple antibiotics in this region.
A booster for tetanus/diphtheria - if not covered which indicates not vaccinated within th last 10 years

Stay healthy:

Wash hands often with soap and water.
Drink only boiled water, or water and carbonated (bubbly) drinks in cans
Avoid tap water, fountain drinks, and ice cubes.
Eat only thoroughly cooked food or fruits and vegetables you have peeled yourself. Remember: boil it, cook it, peel it, or forget it
Protect yourself from insects by remaining in well-screened areas, using repellents (applied sparingly at 4-hour intervals) and permethrin-impregnated mosquito nets, and wearing long-sleeved shirts and long pants from dusk through dawn.
Prevent fungal and parasitic infections, keep feet clean and dry, and do not go barefoot
Do not travel at night
Trafic accidents are frequent, be careful
Always use latex condoms to reduce the risk of HIV and other sexually transmitted diseases
Don’t eat food purchased from street vendors.
Use of malaria prophlaxis is not recommended

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Updated 21-Jul-2003 • ŠtraveldoctorOnline 2001 • Disclaimer • webmaster

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