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The Democratic People's Republic of Korea passport (Korean조선민주주의인민공화국 려권), commonly referred to as the North Korean passport, is the passport which may be issued to North Korean citizens for international travel. Since the majority of North Koreans do not get opportunities to leave the country, DPRK passports are rarely issued.[1]

Democratic People's Republic
of Korea passport
A biometric DPRK passport for public affairs
TypePassport
Issued byNorth Korea Immigration Bureau, Ministry of Foreign Affairs
Japan General Association of Korean Residents in Japan
First issued1950s (first version)
2016 (biometric passport)
PurposeIdentification
EligibilityNorth Korean citizenship
Expiration5 years

History

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The earliest passports of the Korean Peninsula were issued in 1902 by the Korean Empire, with two types, a trading passport and a travel passport. The passports have Korean Hanja text as well as English and French translations.

North Korean passports were first issued in the 1950s with Korean (Chosŏn'gŭl), Russian and Chinese (traditional script) texts, while the current[when?](likely after 2000) passport has Korean (Chosŏn'gŭl) and English only.[2]

In 2016, North Korea began issuing biometric passports complying to the ICAO 9303 standard.

 
The Korean Empire's travel passport issued in 1905.

Physical appearance

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DPRK passport covers are navy blue with the emblem of North Korea emblazoned in the center. The official name of the country "조선민주주의인민공화국" and "DEMOCRATIC PEOPLE'S REPUBLIC OF KOREA" are inscribed above the emblem, with "려권" (ryŏgwon) and "PASSPORT" below.

Passport types

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  • An ordinary passport is a single passport which, after being granted special permission, is handed out to North Koreans who visit foreign countries for official reasons, i.e., sports and academic competitions, business trips. Ordinary passports are taken back by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs after returning to North Korea. The cover is navy blue.
  • An official passport is issued for trade and other economic bureaucrats travelling abroad. The cover is green.
  • A diplomatic passport is issued to high officials from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Central Committee of the Workers' Party of Korea, and other subordinate offices of the Workers' Party of Korea. For other bureaucrats, only vice ministers or higher can receive a diplomatic passport. The cover is red.

Official and diplomatic passports must be returned and kept in the passport office, from where it can be retrieved for any further foreign travel. Ordinary passports are never issued without special permission and all holders must apply for an exit visa in order to legally leave the country. [citation needed]

 
North Korean Passport Polycarbonate Page

Identity pages

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A DPRK Passport includes two identity pages. The first identifies the holder, and includes the following information:

  • 1. Passport number
  • 2. Name in full (in Latin and Korean scripts)
  • 3. Date of birth (YY-MM-DD)
  • 4. Place of birth
  • 5. Nationality (specified as "Korean")
  • 6. Length of the passport validity (five years)
  • 7. Expiry date (YY-MM-DD)
  • 8. Issue date (YY-MM-DD)

The second page is for official endorsements.

Note of passport

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The passport contains the following note:

Korean:

이 려권소지자는 조선민주주의인민공화국의 보호를 받습니다. 이 려권소지자를 지장없이 통과시켜 주며 그에게 필요한 편의와 보호를 베풀어 줄것을 모든 관계자들에게 요청하는 바입니다.

English:

The holder of this passport is under the protection of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea. All those whom it may concern are hereby requested to allow the holder to pass freely without let or hindrance, and to afford the holder with assistance and protection as may be necessary.

 
Visa requirements for North Korean citizens
  North Korea
  Visa free
  Visa issued upon arrival
  eVisa
  Visa available both on arrival or online
  Visa required prior to arrival

Inter-Korea travel

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See also

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References

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  1. ^ Fyodor Tertitskiy (December 29, 2014). "North Korea's passports, and how they use them". NK News. Retrieved February 2, 2015.
  2. ^ "North Korea's passports, and how they use them". North Korea News. December 29, 2014.
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