The main currencies you can use in North Korea are Euros, US dollars and Chinese RMB. It is best to bring in these currencies in small denominations as change is quite often not available. Furthermore, the notes you bring in must be in pristine condition and be new.
You will be able to use North Korean Won (KPW) in some special circumstances. For example, when visiting the Kwangbok department store we are able to use local currency. However, whatever currency is not used must be changed back to the original currency. If you are caught trying to bring North Korean currency out of the country it will be confiscated.
Notes of North Korea
Notes of the North Korean Won come in 100, 200, 500, 1000, 2000, and 5000. There are two sets of the 5000 note some of which will have the face of Kim Il Sung.
These notes have become harder to find in recent times as there was a move away from putting the face of the leader in case the money was torn or crumpled as this would show disrespect.
ATMs – There are no ATMs in North Korea and you will need to bring in all your cash with you. This is largely due to some of the most extreme economic sanctions that have been placed on banking in the country.
Again we can’t stress this enough – all visits to North Korea require you to bring cash in EUR, USD or RMB for your spending money on tour.
