North Korea Country Report

North Korea (officially the Democratic People's Republic of Korea - DPRK) is an isolationist authoritarian state located in the north half of the Korean peninsula, in east Asia. The Communist-Socialist dictatorship is administered by the Worker's Party of Korea which has been dominated by the ruling Kim Dynasty since its foundation in 1953. The DPRK is one of the poorest nations in the world due to decades of economic mismanagement, corruption and abuse of authority, although opposition to the government is low due to effective pro-regime propaganda and repressive state apparatus.

The DPRK is currently at war with its southern neighbor and the Kim regime is openly hostile to the United States and its regional allies including Japan, Taiwan and its southern neighbor the Republic of Korea (RoK). The ideological and geopolitical rivalry between the Communist state and the US has resulted in the proliferation of advanced military technology on the Korean peninsula which eventually led to North Korea developing a nuclear arsenal, amid condemnation from the international community. This development, alongside provocative weapons testing in the Sea of Japan, has escalated diplomatic tensions and raised fears of another armed conflict in the future.

Pervasive government surveillance and the implementation of a strict security regime in areas where tourists are allowed to visit mean there are few security threats to foreign visitors in the DPRK other than those posed by the state itself. However, hostility between Pyongyang and the RoK generates a risk of low-level skirmishes along the border between the two nations. The DPRK's power supply is generally inadequate, basic services and amenities are poorly provisioned, and mobile communications and internet usage is highly regulated. Medical care is limited, and pharmaceutical supplies of acceptable quality are generally unavailable.

Crime, terrorism and unrest are not a major threat to travelers in the DPRK due to pervasive government surveillance and the implementation of a strict security regime in areas where tourists are allowed to visit. However, visiting foreign nationals have been arrested for a range of spurious crimes, including spying and espionage and most have claimed that they were falsely charged. Hostility between the DPRK and its regional rivals, including the RoK, poses a credible risk that low-level conflict could occur with little warning, particularly along the southern border or within the nation's coastal territory.

There are serious safety concerns over the country's aviation sector, and the national carrier (Air Koryo) is considered one of the most dangerous in the world.

Electricity supply is also inadequate and unreliable, whilst the use of mobile phones and the internet is highly regulated.

Overland travel in Pyongyang is considered safe, although the movements of foreigners and locals are highly restricted.

Cyber 'crime' poses a minimal threat due to limited access to the internet, although the government is widely believed to monitor the activity of visitors and has been accused of carrying out major cyber attacks on other countries.

The DPRK is generally safe from powerful earthquakes, although it is susceptible to storm systems and episodes of extreme weather during the typhoon season. The lack of natural disaster preparedness measures and response capability increases the likelihood of human casualties and destruction. However, Pyongyang is rarely affected by extreme weather due to its geographical location. Landmine contamination is widespread in the south of the country, where a heavily-mined demilitarized zone separates the DPRK from the RoK.

North Korea has several diseases and health threats, including Japanese encephalitis. Medical facilities and care are highly limited, even in the capital. Cash payment upfront is required for all health services rendered. Tap water is unsafe for consumption.

The current regime faces no known internal credible threat, although the frequency of reported power struggles and political purges has increased since Kim Jong-un ascended to power. Corruption and weak rule of law are major concerns in the country.