North Korea - Money

Currency & Money

Currency information:

Won (KPW; symbol ₩) = 100 chon. Notes are in denominations of ₩100, 50, 10, 5 and 1. Coins are in denominations of ₩1, and 50, 10, 5 and 1 chon.

Hotels tend to only accept cash payments in local currency whilst shops prefer US Dollars.

Credit cards:

Main hotels in Pyongyang will accept credit and debit cards such as Mastercard and Visa. However, American Express is not usually accepted.

Travellers cheques:

Generally not accepted. However, US Dollars are often accepted as an alternative method of payment.

Currency restriction:

The import and export of local currency is prohibited. The import and export of foreign currency is unrestricted, subject to declaration on arrival.

Currency exchange:

Currencies may be changed at the Trade Bank (Mon-Sat 0900-1200 and 1400-1700) or at some hotels. Convertible currencies include Australian, Hong Kong and US Dollars, Euros, Pounds Sterling and Yen.

Getting around

Do you have any Feedback about this page?
© 2025 Columbus Travel Media Ltd. All rights reserved. No part of this site may be reproduced without our written permission, click here for information on Columbus Content Solutions.

You know where
you are going!
Why not check out
what to Eat & Drink

Visa and passport information is updated regularly and is correct at the time of publishing. You should verify critical travel information independently with the relevant embassy before you travel.

By using worldtravelguide.net you agree to our cookies and privacy policies. For more on cookies see the BBC's article what are cookies?.