Since the internet is heavily censored in North Korea, VPN use is necessary if you want online freedom in the country. In North Korea, internet access is rare for North Koreans and is typically reserved for elite citizens.
The citizens of Pyongyang do have access to its intranet, but this contains a minimal amount of content and does not enable access to the global internet network, international social media networks, foreign websites, or streaming content.
Tourists traveling to North Korea can get internet access in a limited number of internet cafes and hotels. It is also possible for international visitors to purchase a foreigners-only SIM card, but there is little available information regarding this service.
It is also difficult to determine whether the government in North Korea carries out surveillance to monitor what tourists and visitors post online on social media sites.
This article will help you choose the best North Korea VPN to suit your particular needs.
If you are traveling in North Korea, you may want to install a VPN and get a North Korean IP address to protect and anonymize your online activities. Choose a VPN that offers advanced security features, powerful military-grade AES 256 bit encryption, a no-logging policy, and an integrated automatic kill switch to ensure your data is protected if the VPN fails for any reason.
It is recommended that you download your chosen VPN before you arrive in North Korea, as the government could restrict or censor access to VPN websites. Also, look for a service that offers server locations near North Korea for the fastest connection speeds.
Below are some of the best VPNs for use in North Korea.
| Simultaneous connections / Users: | 6 |
|---|---|
| OS support: | Amazon Fire TV, Android, Android TV, Apple TV, Boxee Box, Chromecast, ChromeOS, FireOS, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Roku, Windows |
| Streaming: | Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, YouSee, DR TV, Disney+, Plex, Kodi, NBC, ESPN, BBC iPlayer, TV Player, HBO Go, HBO Max, Apple TV |
| Browser Extentions: | Firefox, Safari, Chrome |
Pros:
Fast connection
Zero-log policy
More than 5000 worldwide servers
Cons:
Few payment options
Split tunneling unavaible
6 Devices Maximum
Capabilities:
Unlimited Bandwidth
Kill Switch
Split Tunneling
Zero Data Logging
Free Version / Trial
Mobile App
Browser Extention
Netflix Approved
Firestick Compatible
NordVPN offers military-standard encryption, support for secure VPN protocols, and a reliable integrated kill-switch to protect your internet connections in North Korea.
NordVPN boasts excellent security basics, including industry-standard AES-256 bit encryption, combined with 4096-bit Diffie Hellman keys. There is Perfect Forward Secrecy technology, too, that ensures a new encryption key is created at the start of every session and every hour thereafter. This means that even if a hacker gained access to your internet session, they would be able to access no more than an hour of data.
The VPN comes with a host of advanced privacy features to overcome censorship and protect your data traffic. Internet users can activate Onion over VPN, redirecting their data through the encrypted anonymous Tor network for complete online security and anonymity.
The VPN also offers the option to enable Double VPN encryption, which will encrypt your private data twice rather than just once by re-routing it through two different VPN servers simultaneously. Fortunately for users in North Korea, the VPN also comes with a range of obfuscated servers which will mask the fact that you are using a VPN at all.
NordVPN offers complete DNS, IP, and WebRTC leak protection, which is reassuring. NordVPN is also one of the best services when it comes to data logging. Renowned security company PricewaterhouseCoopers have independently audited its no-logs policy. The service will never store, monitor, record, or share connection timestamps, data bandwidth used, data traffic logs, IP addresses, or online browsing data.
NordVPN servers operate on completely RAM-only memory, which is much more secure than traditional hard-drive storage and ensures no data can ever be stored. Server connection speeds are excellent, especially if you connect with Nord’s proprietary NordLynx protocol.
Prices start at $3.71 a month if you are happy to commit to a long-term plan with the VPN service. Alternatively, a rolling contract will cost you a premium price of $11.95 a month. There is a 30-day money-back guarantee though across all subscription plans for additional peace of mind. If you need assistance while using the services in North Korea, there is 24/7 live-chat customer support.
| Simultaneous connections / Users: | 5 |
|---|---|
| OS support: | Android, ChromeOS, iOS, Linux, macOS, Windows |
| Streaming: | |
| Browser Extentions: |
Pros:
Plenty of payment methods
24 hours live chat support
30 days money back guarantee
Cons:
More expensive than competitors
Only 5 simultaneous connections
No servers in Russia
Capabilities:
Unlimited Bandwidth
Kill Switch
Split Tunneling
Zero Data Logging
Free Version / Trial
Mobile App
Browser Extention
Netflix Approved
Firestick Compatible
ExpressVPN is one of the best North Korean providers on the market for web security infrastructure. It comes with an independently audited no-logs policy, AES-256 bit encryption software, an obfuscated server tool, and perfect forward secrecy.
As with all of the best VPN companies, ExpressVPN operates on military-standard AES-256 bit data encryption to protect its users on the global web. It also utilizes a 4096-bit SHA-512 RSA certificate for complete security no matter what country you are in.
For an additional layer of protection for your North Korean internet activities, the VPN comes with Perfect Forward Secrecy, which means a new encryption key is used every time you connect, as well as every hour after that. It is also one of the only VPNs to offer obfuscated servers that will mask your use of a VPN while using the North Korean internet.
ExpressVPN also operates its own zero-knowledge encrypted DNS across all of its servers to remove the need for third-party service providers to intervene at any stage. There is also complete IP and DNS leak protection across its network to further protect users in North Korea.
Like all premium services, ExpressVPN comes with an integrated automatic kill switch to protect your connection even if the VPN fails for any reason. Finally, the ExpressVPN network is based on completely RAM-only storage, which is physically unable to store data.
The company boasts an excellent no-logs policy which is a real draw if you need to use a VPN in a country like North Korea. The no-logging statement claims that the company will never store or share timestamps, IP addresses, or private user browsing data when you are connected to its network.
Moreover, ExpressVPN has even had its no-logs policy independently audited to offer solid evidence for its no-logging claims. The company is also based in the British Virgin Islands, a country that enjoys excellent data privacy laws and is not part of international surveillance alliances like the 5 or 14 Eyes.
ExpressVPN is one of the fastest VPN services if you need to access global internet sites, North Korean websites, or the internet in North Korea. Even on long-distance server connections, it is suitable for streaming and gaming in high-definition.
ExpressVPN is not one of the cheapest VPN services for North Korea on the market, but the advanced security features on offer are worth the slightly higher price for many users. If you commit for a year, the North Korean service comes in at $8.32 a month. There is a 30-day money-back guarantee as well as the option to pay anonymously with Bitcoin.
| Simultaneous connections / Users: | 5 |
|---|---|
| OS support: | Android, Android TV, Apple TV, ChromeOS, iOS, Linux, macOS, PlayStation 3, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Windows, Xbox 360, Xbox One |
| Streaming: | |
| Browser Extentions: |
Pros:
Large number of server locations
Free trial
Audited no-logs policy
Cons:
Confusing subscription plans
Not the best Netflix VPN
Expensive
Capabilities:
Unlimited Bandwidth
Kill Switch
Split Tunneling
Zero Data Logging
Free Version / Trial
Mobile App
Browser Extention
Netflix Approved
Firestick Compatible
HMA is arguably the best choice for North Korea, as it is one of the only VPN services to offer North Korean IP addresses and VPN servers.
HMA may not be the most advanced service on the market, but it is one of the only options if you require a North Korean IP address. The provider offers some unique security features, too, like the option to set up an automatic connection whenever you access the internet or to have your IP address automatically change at defined intervals.
The only secure way to access the internet when traveling in North Korea is with a Virtual Private Network. HMA is one of a limited number of VPNs to offer a North Korean IP address. The VPN will encrypt your internet connection and route it through a private tunnel of servers and mask your real IP address, replacing it with that of a North Korea server to ensure your online activities remain completely anonymous.
Using HMA VPN will protect your internet traffic from the eyes of the government. It will also enable access to geo-restricted sites and services for free internet access while you are in North Korea.
HMA’s integrated kill switch will ensure your online data is protected even if the VPN connection fails for any reason. If the VPN drops, the kill switch will cut your internet connection so that no unencrypted data or your real IP address become exposed. There is even a specific app kill switch to shut down a particular app if the connection fails for an additional layer of security.
VPNs are restricted in North Korea, and the government enforces strict censorship to restrict internet access.
Internet access in North Korea is minimal. The North Korean government heavily censors the internet, and most users do not have access to the internet at all, as it is usually reserved for the country’s elite classes.
Pyongyang’s citizens have access to North Korea’s intranet, but it does not offer much content. Also, tourists and travelers can use the internet in certain hotels and the internet or by obtaining a foreigners-only SIM card.
A limited number of VPN services such as HMA offer access to a North Korean IP address. In most cases, connecting to a server location in South Korea will enable fast and reliable speeds in the North.
The VPNs on our list above work in North Korea. These include NordVPN and Surfshark VPN. You'll need a high-quality VPN in order to bypass geo-restrictions on the internet in North Korea.
When using a VPN in North Korea, you'll be able to surpass the restrictions that the censored state puts on internet use. However, if you are caught using a VPN, you could face legal repercussions since VPNs are banned in North Korea. Always use a VPN with caution in North Korea.
Yes, you can, but you'll have to be careful about doing so since it is technically banned. Fortunately, you can easily use a VPN to get a North Korean IP address from outside the country.
Hi, I'm Cliff. I'm based in Cleveland, Ohio, with my wife and two kids.
I have a keen interest in cybersecurity and have been writing about it for around a decade now. Due to my background in computer science, I am familiar ...
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