Payment methods in North Korea

Asia

1method

North Korea has no access to international payment networks; Visa, Mastercard, and SWIFT are entirely absent outside of a very limited diplomatic or tourist context.

Market takeaways

North Korea has no access to international payment networks; Visa, Mastercard, and SWIFT are entirely absent outside of a very limited diplomatic or tourist context.
The state controls all banking institutions; there are no private banks or independent financial service providers.
A small number of state-issued electronic wallets (Samhung, Jeonseong, Manmulsang) serve domestic consumers for retail purchases and public transportation payments.
Foreign currency (USD, EUR, CNY) circulates informally and is used in special economic zones and hard-currency shops (known as Kwangbok stores) catering to elites and tourists.
Comprehensive UN Security Council sanctions and secondary US sanctions effectively prohibit any international financial institution from processing transactions involving North Korean parties.

Population

~26M

Payment method breakdown

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Card scheme breakdown

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Cross-border e-commerce

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Featured payment methods in North Korea

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Electronic Wallets (Samhung, Jeonseong, Manmulsang)

Samhung, Jeonseong, and Manmulsang are the primary domestic digital wallet platforms operating in North Korea under state oversight. They are used by consumers in urban areas — particularly Pyongyang — for daily retail purchases and public transportation payments. These wallets are linked to state banking accounts and operate entirely within North Korea's closed domestic financial network, with no connectivity to any international payment infrastructure. Adoption is largely limited to urban populations with access to compatible point-of-sale terminals.