How to send money to North Korea in 2026: humanitarian projects, UN committee exemptions and paying for a trip
In 2026 North Korea receives money from abroad only by routes approved by the UN Security Council. We explain which resolutions apply as of October, how the 1718 Committee's humanitarian exemptions work, how to pay for a tourist trip and what to check in advance if your relatives live in North Korea.
In short
- In 2026 the 1718 Committee had approved 124 humanitarian exemptions.
- An approval is valid for 9 months from the date of the committee's letter.
- There have been no correspondent accounts with North Korean banks since 2016 under Resolution 2270.
- A tourist trip is paid to a tour operator in your own country.
In detail
In 2026 money goes to North Korea by legal UN routes: through humanitarian projects of organisations that the Security Council's 1718 Committee has granted an exemption, and in 2026 there were 124 such approvals. A trip to the country is paid to a tour operator at home. There is no bank transfer to a private person in North Korea: under Resolution 2270, since 2016 the world's banks have not held accounts of North Korean banks.
| Route for the money | Status on 8 October 2026 | Where you pay | What you need |
|---|---|---|---|
| Donation to an organisation with a humanitarian exemption | works: 124 approvals of the 1718 Committee | to the organisation's account in your country | the payment purpose and the project |
| Paying for a tourist trip | works through accredited tour operators | to a tour operator in your country | a tour contract |
| Expenses of embassies and UN missions in North Korea | works under 1718 Committee decisions | accounts approved by the committee | mission status |
| Bank transfer to a private person | closed since 2016 under Resolution 2270 | - | - |
Checked on 8 October 2026 against the pages of the UN Security Council 1718 Committee: humanitarian exemptions and decisions on accounts.
What the UN Security Council decided on bank settlements with North Korea
Paragraph 33 of Resolution 2270 of 2 March 2016 required states to close branches and offices of North Korean banks within 90 days and end correspondent relations with them; new links are opened only with prior approval of the 1718 Committee. Paragraph 31 of Resolution 2321 of the same year added the closure of accounts in North Korea itself. The committee grants exemptions case by case: for humanitarian aid, embassies and UN work. For example, on 15 March 2017 the rule was not applied to the account of Bulgaria's embassy in Pyongyang.
In June 2026 the Financial Action Task Force again called on countries to apply countermeasures to North Korea, so every bank checks each payment linked to this country. For the sender this means one thing: the money goes through an organisation or a tour operator with a clear contract.
Humanitarian aid: how money reaches people in North Korea
Under paragraph 25 of Resolution 2397 the 1718 Committee permits deliveries of food, medicines, vaccines and equipment for humanitarian projects. An approval is valid for 9 months from the date of the committee's letter, and in 2026 it extended the UN Children's Fund projects to 16 February 2027 and a project of the UN food organisation. Resolution 2664 of 2022 freed such organisations from a separate asset freeze permit.
A private person helps like this: they donate money to an organisation in their own country that has an approved project in North Korea and receive a payment confirmation. The organisation buys the goods and delivers them under the plan approved by the committee. Want to help a particular town or hospital? A manager will check whether your case falls under the permitted exemptions and choose a project.
A trip to North Korea: how to pay for a tour
Tourists travel to North Korea only through accredited tour operators, on a programme approved in advance, with local guides. The tour is paid to a tour operator in your own country under a contract: the price includes the flight, visa, insurance, hotel, three meals a day, a guide and transport under the programme.
The route and all programme expenses are known and paid in advance, so the money for the trip goes in one payment. Before paying, check the hotel, the dates and the refund procedure if the trip is postponed in the contract.
Relatives in North Korea: what to check before sending money
There is no direct bank transfer to a relative in North Korea, so the legal route for a family is a humanitarian project in the area where the relatives live. The sending country has its own rules: in South Korea, for example, contact with a resident of North Korea requires notifying the Ministry of Unification in advance. Every case is different: tell a manager about your family, and they will check whether your case falls under the permitted UN exemptions and the rules of your country.
We will help you send money to North Korea
A donation to an organisation without an approved project, a tour with an operator without accreditation, a bank payment that comes back minus fees: such mistakes cost more than the sum itself. We will help you avoid them: we will check whether your case falls under the permitted exemptions, choose a legal route and prepare the documents.
Details and terms are with a manager in the chat: everything depends on the purpose and the sum.
Transfers to countries near North Korea
- China: the northern neighbour along the Yalu and Tumen rivers.
- South Korea: the southern neighbour with instant transfers between banks.
- Mongolia: a country of the same region, north of China.
- Japan: the neighbour across the sea, with the yen.
Choosing a country for life and capital is covered on the capital relocation page.
FAQ
Can a bank transfer be sent to a private person in North Korea?
How many humanitarian projects in North Korea has the UN committee approved?
Can a tourist trip to North Korea be paid for?
Do the UN decisions on North Korea apply in 2026?
We will suggest the best way to send your money
We will choose a transfer method for your amount and country, prepare the documents on the origin of the money for the bank, make the transfer through licensed partners and follow it until the money is credited. Ask your question in the chat - the manager will suggest the best terms and the cost. The legal side with banks and government bodies is handled by Murblz specialists and locally licensed partners.
Details and cost are with the manager in the chat. Describe your situation and we will reply right away.
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