Best eSIM for 🇰🇵 North Korea

North Korea is one of those places. You land, and your phone's dead. Not just no signal, but dead. Your usual eSIMs won't cut it. Forget your Airalo or Holafly. They’re useless here.

Which Network Actually Works?

Koryolink is your only real option. It’s state-owned, naturally. Coverage is decent in Pyongyang and along major train routes. Outside of that? Forget it. Don't expect a signal in remote villages or mountain areas. If you're sticking to the capital, you'll be fine. Straying too far means you're back to offline mode.

What You'll Pay

A 7-day, 5GB plan from Koryolink will set you back around $50†. Need 10GB for 15 days? Budget $70†. It’s steep, but there’s no competition. You pay for the privilege of having any connection. And yes, you buy this after you land.

Activation Pitfalls

This is where it gets tricky. You can't just scan a QR code in the air. You need to physically buy a SIM card (or an eSIM voucher if you're incredibly lucky and they have them stocked) at the Koryolink counter inside the airport. They'll activate it for you there. Don't put your phone in airplane mode until they tell you to. Chinese variant dual-SIM phones can sometimes cause headaches; make sure you know which physical SIM slot is designated for data before you arrive. The whole process, including waiting in line and getting it set up, can take an hour.

The Big Gotcha: Registration

You must register your phone and SIM card with the authorities within a few days of arrival. This usually happens at your hotel. They’ll take your passport and SIM details. They also block most international roaming. Your Koryolink SIM is your only way to get online internationally. Don't expect to use your home SIM as a backup; it won't work anyway.

Quick Questions

Can I use my phone as a hotspot? Yes, but only for your own devices. You can't share your connection with other travellers.

Will my international apps work? Some will. VPNs are essential for accessing services like Google, Facebook, or WhatsApp. Expect some apps to be slow or unreliable.

How much data do I really need? If you're just checking email and messaging, 5GB for a week is plenty. If you plan on uploading photos or videos, double that.