Girish Mahajan (Editor)

Democratic People's Republic of Korea passport

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Issued by
  
North Korea

Purpose
  
Identification

Type of document
  
Passport

Democratic People's Republic of Korea passport

Eligibility requirements
  
North Korean citizenship

Democratic People's Republic of Korea passports may be issued to citizens of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, commonly known as North Korea, for international travel. Since the majority of North Koreans do not get opportunities to leave their country, DPRK passports are rarely issued.

Contents

Physical appearance

DPRK passport covers are navy blue with the National Emblem of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea emblazoned in the center. The words "조선민주주의인민공화국" (Korean) and "DEMOCRATIC PEOPLE'S REPUBLIC OF KOREA" (English) are inscribed above the emblem, with "려권" and "PASSPORT" below.

Passport types

  • 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., professional, sports, academic competitions, business trips. Ordinary passports are withdrawn by the Foreign Ministry after travel.
  • An official passport is issued for trade and other economic bureaucrats travelling abroad.
  • 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 official passport and diplomatic passport 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 leave the country.

    Identity pages

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

  • 1. Passport number
  • 2. Name in full (in English and in Korean)
  • 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

    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.

    References

    Democratic People's Republic of Korea passport Wikipedia
    (Text) CC BY-SA