North Korea · Safety report last updated
As of July 2026, Pyongyang scores 18/100 on the IsMyTripSafe composite safety index — verdict: elevated risk — reconsider. No — the official Level 4 "Do Not Travel" advisory and high composite risk score indicate Pyongyang is not safe for visitors. The main risks for visitors are pickpocketing (moderate risk) and tourist-targeted scams.
Safety Report
IsMyTripSafe.com
North Korea · Assessed 29 July 2026
18
/ 100
Safer than ~6% of countries
Score capped at 18 — Level 4 advisory — "Do Not Travel". No other indicator can raise the score above this.
What drives this score
01 · Official Guidance
Advises against all-but-essential travel to parts
“Your travel insurance could be invalidated if you travel against advice from the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO). FCDO advises against all but essential travel to North Korea The level of tension on the Korean Peninsula remains high.”
Updated 2025-12-10T13:22:31Z
Full advisory →Avoid all travel
“Canada's official risk level for North Korea: avoid all travel.”
Updated 2026-07-08T09:16:45.370000-04:00
Full advisory →02 · Evidence Signals
Homicide rate
Robbery / mugging
LowViolent robbery against tourists is virtually nonexistent, but petty opportunistic theft can occur in crowded tour groups
Pickpocketing
ModeratePickpocketing is uncommon but possible in dense areas such as the Mansudae Grand Monument and train stations where crowds gather
03 · Environment
04 · Institutions
05 · Field Research
Traveller sentiment score
Extremely negative
61/100
Recent traveller reports describe pervasive anxiety, strict surveillance and fear of detention, reflecting a highly unsafe perception of daily life
No — the official Level 4 "Do Not Travel" advisory and high composite risk score indicate Pyongyang is not safe for visitors.
Pyongyang is rated HIGH RISK (18/100) due to severe political repression, arbitrary detention, and near-zero consular protection, despite low street crime; the dossier confirms heightened surveillance and recent security‑focused news.
Recent developments
Common scams
Full briefing
Pyongyang is rated HIGH RISK (18/100) because the official Level 4 “Do Not Travel” advisory, near‑zero composite safety score and reports of arbitrary detention make it unsafe for visitors. The multi‑database profile shows severe political repression, limited rule of law and a high conflict‑and‑terrorism hazard score, while the live dossier confirms recent security‑focused headlines about police reforms, marathon cancellations and cyber‑crime ties that underscore a climate of tight surveillance.
Recent incidents from the dossier include a June 2026 DailyNK report on police reform pledges, another June 2026 DailyNK piece on the same topic, a March 2026 Korea JoongAng Daily story about a cancelled marathon reflecting security concerns, and a June 2026 Bloomberg analysis linking North Korean FX earnings to Russia arms sales and cyber crime. These events illustrate a heightened focus on internal security and external financial pressures that can affect foreign visitors.
Scams commonly target tourists through forced payments for souvenirs, unauthorized photo fees and strict compliance demands that can be leveraged for blackmail. Violent robbery is low, but pickpocketing is moderate in crowded sites such as the Mansudae Grand Monument and major transport hubs. Travelers should register with their embassy’s alert system, secure insurance covering political detention, and strictly obey all guide instructions while avoiding any unauthorized photography or conversation.
06 · Neighbourhoods
Our field research rated 8 Pyongyang districts for visitors, 5 needing caution and 3 best avoided. See them plotted on the Pyongyang safety map.
Central DistrictavoidHigh security presence, strict surveillance, arbitrary detention risk for foreigners
Mansudae DistrictavoidContains key government and diplomatic sites; foreigners closely monitored, detention risk elevated
Sang‑dongavoidRestricted military zone and sensitive facilities; unauthorized entry prohibited and can lead to detention
Sokong‑dongcautionTourist‑designated area with guided tours; safe during daylight but avoid after dark and any unapproved interaction
Jung‑kucautionResidential zone near hotels; normal precautions required, but remain alert for surveillance and sudden travel restrictions
Sang‑woncautionCommercial hub for foreign missions; safe in daylight, avoid nighttime movement and unsanctioned gatherings
NamsancautionHistoric and cultural district; generally safe but subject to frequent security checks and curfews
Hyang‑amcautionIndustrial outskirts; limited tourist access, higher risk of arbitrary stops and questioning
07 · After Dark
Violent robbery against tourists is virtually nonexistent, but petty opportunistic theft can occur in crowded tour groups
After dark, be most careful around Central District, Mansudae District, Sang‑dong, Sokong‑dong. Stick to busy, well-lit streets and licensed taxis or ride-hail late at night.
08 · Trip Profiles
Who's travelling changes which risks matter. These re-weight Pyongyang's category data for common trip types — same data, different emphasis. Run your own profile from the interactive checker.
09 · Questions
No — the official Level 4 "Do Not Travel" advisory and high composite risk score indicate Pyongyang is not safe for visitors. Pyongyang is rated HIGH RISK (18/100) due to severe political repression, arbitrary detention, and near-zero consular protection, despite low street crime; the dossier confirms heightened surveillance and recent security‑focused news. (Assessed 29 July 2026.)
Field research flags Central District, Mansudae District, Sang‑dong as best avoided. See the district-by-district safety map.
Pyongyang ranks #1 of 2 North Korea destinations we've assessed, scoring 18/100. See the North Korea safety overview for the full list.
The score blends 10+ public data sources — government advisories, UNODC/World Bank crime statistics, WHO health data, live air quality and disaster alerts — with AI field research over current local reporting. The databases carry 82% of the weight; the traveller-sentiment score from field research carries 18%. Full methodology.
Browse the North Korea safety overview or all destinations. Raw data: pyongyang.json (CC BY 4.0).
