How to Address an International Letter to North Korea

Addressing a letter to North Korea, officially known as the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK), requires following a specific format that includes a postal code where applicable. However, the postal system is centralized, and international mail delivery is tightly controlled. Mail is typically routed through Pyongyang, the capital. This guide provides the correct formats for residential, business, rural, PO Box, and military addresses, as well as special considerations for government offices, NGOs, and courier services.

Standard Address Format in North Korea

The typical format for addressing a letter to North Korea includes the following elements:

1. Recipient Name: The full name of the person or organization receiving the letter.
2. Street Address or PO Box (P.O. Box): The recipient’s street address or Post Office Box number.
3. City or District: The name of the city, district, or village where the recipient resides.
4. Postal Code: The postal code where applicable, followed by the city or district name.
5. Country: Always include “DEMOCRATIC PEOPLE’S REPUBLIC OF KOREA” or “NORTH KOREA” in capital letters on the last line for international mail.

Detailed Format Breakdown

1. Recipient Name
   The recipient’s full name should be written on the first line. For business or organizational addresses, include the company or organization name first, followed by the recipient’s name or department.

   Example:
   Kim Jong-un
   or
   ABC Corporation
   Attn: Kim Jong-un

2. Street Address or PO Box (P.O. Box)
   Provide the street name and house/building number for residential or business addresses. If the recipient uses a Post Office Box, write “P.O. Box” followed by the box number.

   Example:
   123 Pyongyang Street
   or
   P.O. Box 789

3. City or District
   Include the name of the city or district where the recipient resides. The capital city, Pyongyang, is a central hub for mail distribution in North Korea.

   Example:
   Pyongyang
   or
   Sinuiju

4. Postal Code
   North Korea uses a postal code system, though it is less frequently used in international addressing. If available, include the postal code before the city or district name.

   Example:
   999070 Pyongyang
   or
   999001 Sinuiju

5. Country Name
   For international mail, always write “DEMOCRATIC PEOPLE’S REPUBLIC OF KOREA” or “NORTH KOREA” in capital letters on the last line.

   Example:
   DEMOCRATIC PEOPLE’S REPUBLIC OF KOREA
   or
   NORTH KOREA

Residential Address Format

For residential addresses, include the recipient’s name, street address or PO Box, city or district, postal code (if available), and country.

Example:
Kim Jong-un
123 Pyongyang Street
999070 Pyongyang
DEMOCRATIC PEOPLE’S REPUBLIC OF KOREA

Business Address Format

For business addresses, include the company or organization name on the first line, followed by the recipient’s name or department. The rest of the address follows the standard format.

Example:
ABC Corporation
Attn: Kim Jong-un
123 Pyongyang Street
999070 Pyongyang
DEMOCRATIC PEOPLE’S REPUBLIC OF KOREA

PO Box Address Format

For letters sent to a Post Office Box, replace the street address with “P.O. Box” followed by the appropriate box number.

Example:
Kim Jong-un
P.O. Box 123
999070 Pyongyang
DEMOCRATIC PEOPLE’S REPUBLIC OF KOREA

Rural Address Format

In rural areas where formal street names may not exist, include the name of the village or settlement, followed by the nearest larger town, postal code (if available), and country.

Example:
Ri Chul
Village of Ryongchon
Near Sinuiju
999001 Sinuiju
DEMOCRATIC PEOPLE’S REPUBLIC OF KOREA

Military Address Format

For military personnel stationed in North Korea, mail generally follows the civilian postal system, with specific unit or base information. Military addresses may also be centralized in Pyongyang.

Example:
Rank and Full Name
Military Unit 123
P.O. Box 456
999070 Pyongyang
DEMOCRATIC PEOPLE’S REPUBLIC OF KOREA

Government Office Address

For mail addressed to government offices in North Korea, include the name of the office or department before the street address or PO Box.

Example:
Ministry of Foreign Affairs
123 Pyongyang Street
999070 Pyongyang
DEMOCRATIC PEOPLE’S REPUBLIC OF KOREA

International Addressing for NGOs and Organizations

For international organizations or NGOs operating in North Korea, include the organization’s name and specific department.

Example:
UNICEF DPRK
Attn: Program Services
P.O. Box 123
999070 Pyongyang
DEMOCRATIC PEOPLE’S REPUBLIC OF KOREA

Addressing for Courier vs. Postal Services

When using courier services such as DHL or FedEx, additional contact details such as phone numbers are often required due to restricted delivery zones in North Korea. Courier services may only be available in limited areas, typically in Pyongyang.

Example (Courier):
Kim Jong-un
123 Pyongyang Street
999070 Pyongyang
DEMOCRATIC PEOPLE’S REPUBLIC OF KOREA
Phone: +850 2 123 4567

Addressing for Multiple Recipients

When addressing a letter to multiple recipients at the same address, list the names on separate lines.

Example (Family):
The Kim Family
P.O. Box 789
999070 Pyongyang
DEMOCRATIC PEOPLE’S REPUBLIC OF KOREA

Example (Business Department):
ABC Corporation
Attn: Finance Department
P.O. Box 789
999070 Pyongyang
DEMOCRATIC PEOPLE’S REPUBLIC OF KOREA

Special Considerations

• Postal Codes: While North Korea does use postal codes, they may not always be available for every address. When known, always include the postal code to ensure more accurate delivery.

• Centralized Mail: Most international mail to North Korea is routed through Pyongyang, regardless of the final destination.

• Language: Korean is the official language of North Korea, but for international mail, English is often used. Always write “DEMOCRATIC PEOPLE’S REPUBLIC OF KOREA” or “NORTH KOREA” in capital letters.

Commonly Accepted Abbreviations

• P.O. Box for Post Office Box
• St. for Street
• No. for Number (House or Building Number)

Key Tips for Formatting

• Capitalization: Write the address in capital letters for clarity and legibility, especially when writing the country name.
• Left Alignment: Ensure that all lines of the address are left-aligned for ease of reading and postal processing.
• Phone Number for Couriers: Providing a contact phone number is required for courier services, especially for restricted or difficult-to-access areas.
• Postal Code Usage: If known, always include the postal code to ensure timely and accurate delivery.