North Korea Calling Code: +850
Complete guide to calling North Korea β international dialing code, step-by-step instructions, and FAQ.
How to Call North Korea from Abroad
π Step-by-Step Dialing Guide
- Dial your country's exit code (e.g. 011 from US, 00 from most countries, + from mobile)
- Dial +850 β the country calling code for North Korea
- Dial the local phone number (area code + subscriber number)
About North Korea Calling Code
Every country has a unique international dialing prefix; for North Korea it is +850. The ITU assigns these codes under recommendation E.164. Dial +850 after your country's exit code, then the local subscriber number. North Korea is in Asia.
North Korea is known locally as λΆν β Pyongyang is the capital. When saving an international contact, write the number in full international format with +850 so it works from any country.
The ITU-T E.164 recommendation standardizes international numbering, giving every country and territory a distinct prefix. Without the correct prefix, international calls cannot be routed to the right destination.
Where the +850 Calling Code Is Used
The country code +850 is assigned to North Korea, located in Eastern Asia, with the capital Pyongyang. This code is part of the international telephony numbering plan and is used for all calls made to North Korea from outside the country.
A number displayed as +850 β¦ is in international format: +850 replaces the domestic trunk prefix. From abroad, always drop any leading 0 of the area code and dial +850 + area code + subscriber number.
Calling codes starting with 8 are part of the ITU's regional numbering plan for the area around North Korea, in Eastern Asia. When saving North Korea numbers internationally, write +850 followed by the area code without its leading 0 β this format works from every country.
North Korea Phone Number Formats
Numbers in North Korea use the standard E.164 pattern β +850, then the area code, then the subscriber number. The same layout applies to landlines and mobile phones:
π± Number Structure
- International format: +850 [area code] [subscriber number]
- From abroad: exit code + +850 + local number (drop the trunk prefix 0)
- Within North Korea: dial the local number directly
In most countries, domestic numbers start with a trunk prefix (often 0) that must be omitted internationally: dial your exit code, then +850, then the local number as written without its leading zero.
Time Zone in North Korea
North Korea runs on Asia/Pyongyang, which is UTC+09:00 UTC. Schedule international calls accordingly β a convenient time for you may be very early or very late there.
Use the UTC offset (UTC+09:00) to plan calls to North Korea. For most international callers, the practical rule is: schedule business-hour calls to Pyongyang during the overlap between your working day and theirs.
Daylight saving time can shift North Korea's clock by one hour in summer. For time-critical calls, confirm the current UTC offset rather than relying on the standard value.
Emergency Numbers in North Korea
If you need urgent help while in North Korea, dial the local emergency numbers below. Note that these numbers are only for use inside North Korea.
| Service | Number |
|---|---|
| Police | 119 |
| Fire | 119 |
| Ambulance | 119 |
Example: Calling North Korea Numbers in Practice
Here is how a typical call to North Korea works, depending on where you are calling from:
π From the United States or Canada
- Dial the US/Canada exit code 011
- Dial the North Korea country code +850
- Dial the local number (area code + subscriber number, without the trunk prefix 0)
Example: 011 +850 [area code] [number]
π From the United Kingdom or Europe
- Dial the international access code 00 (or use the + symbol on mobile)
- Dial the North Korea country code +850
- Dial the local number
Example: 00 +850 [area code] [number], or +850 [area code] [number] from any mobile phone
Leading zeros in domestic area codes are not dialed internationally. Write the number as +850 + area code (no leading 0) + subscriber number.
Calling North Korea from Major Countries
International exit codes differ by country. Use this reference when dialing North Korea (+850) from abroad:
| Calling From | Exit Code | Full International Dialing |
|---|---|---|
| United States | 011 | 011 850 [local number] |
| United Kingdom | 00 | 00 850 [local number] |
| Australia | 0011 | 0011 850 [local number] |
| China | 00 | 00 850 [local number] |
| Japan | 010 | 010 850 [local number] |
| India | 00 | 00 850 [local number] |
| Germany | 00 | 00 850 [local number] |
| France | 00 | 00 850 [local number] |
On mobile phones, the + symbol replaces the exit code entirely β just dial +850 followed by the local number.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the calling code for North Korea?
The international calling code for North Korea is +850.
How do I call North Korea from the United States?
Dial 011 (US exit code), then +850, then the local phone number.
How do I call North Korea from the United Kingdom?
Dial 00 (UK exit code), then +850, then the local phone number.
Can I use the + symbol instead of the exit code?
Yes! On mobile phones you can dial +850 directly followed by the local number. The + symbol automatically replaces your country's exit code.
How do I call within North Korea?
If you're already in North Korea, simply dial the local number directly. You do not need to use the country code +850 for domestic calls.
What is the capital of North Korea?
The capital of North Korea is Pyongyang. When calling the capital from abroad, dial +850 followed by the local area code (without the leading 0) and the number.
What are the emergency numbers in North Korea?
Police: 119, Fire: 119, Ambulance: 119. These numbers are only valid inside North Korea.
Other Countries in Asia
Nearby countries and their calling codes:
Calling North Korea from Kazakhstan or Malaysia works the same way: dial your local exit code first, then +850, then the local number. Within Asia, many callers simply use the + symbol on mobile to avoid exit-code differences.