North Korea Power Plugs, Wall Sockets & Electrical Outlets
In North Korea, power plugs and sockets (electrical outlets) of Type C (CEE 7/16 (Europlug), two round pins, ungrounded) are used. Wall sockets run at 220V and 50Hz. Check if you need a travel adapter, electrical adapter or voltage converter before travelling to North Korea.
Check Adapter Compatibility
Do you need an adapter for your trip?
North Korea uses:
North Korea Travel Adapter Guide
North Korea power plug standards rely on a single connector type, making trip preparation relatively straightforward. Travelers from outside Europe and similarly wired regions will need a travel adaptor to plug their devices into local sockets, since the pin configuration used in North Korea differs from that found in North America, the UK, and Australia.
The country uses the Type C Europlug, a compact two-pin design found throughout much of Europe, South America, and Asia. This plug features two round 4mm pins spaced 18.6mm apart and is built for small, double-insulated electronics rather than heavy-duty appliances.
Voltage and Frequency in North Korea
Electricity in North Korea runs at 220 volts and 50Hz, matching the standard used across most of Europe, Africa, and Asia. Visitors arriving from countries with 100-127V systems, such as the United States or Japan, should check whether their devices support dual voltage before plugging them into a local electrical outlet, as using single-voltage equipment without a converter can cause damage.
- Voltage: 220V
- Frequency: 50Hz
- Plug type: Type C (Europlug)
- Pin configuration: two round 4mm pins, 19mm long, 18.6mm apart
- Rated current: 2.5A, ungrounded
North Korea Electrical Outlets Explained
AC power plugs and sockets in North Korea are built to accept the Europlug's two round pins, and this same outlet style is compatible with several other plug types used elsewhere, including Type E, F, J, K, L, and N. This shared compatibility is one reason the Europlug is considered among the most versatile plug designs for international travel.
Grounding and the Earth Pin
The Type C Europlug used in North Korea has no earth pin and is not grounded, since it was designed specifically for Class II double-insulated appliances that don't require a ground connection. This makes it well suited to phones, cameras, and laptop chargers, but it means grounded appliances requiring a three-pin connection cannot be used with this plug type.
Because the Europlug is rated for only 2.5 amps, it should not be used with high-wattage devices such as hair dryers, kettles, or space heaters. Some travelers also notice the pins fit a little loosely in certain sockets, which can occasionally lead to inconsistent contact.
Frequently Asked Questions
If your home country uses a different plug shape than the two round pins of the Type C Europlug, yes, you'll need a travel adaptor. Travelers from the UK, US, Australia, and similar regions will need one, while those from many European countries with compatible outlets may not.
Pack a travel adaptor compatible with the Type C Europlug, which has two round 4mm pins spaced 18.6mm apart. Since this plug is ungrounded and rated only up to 2.5A, avoid bringing high-power appliances like hair dryers or kettles, and stick to low-power electronics such as phones, tablets, and cameras.
Most modern phone chargers are dual-voltage and can handle North Korea's 220V, 50Hz supply without a converter. Simply check the voltage rating printed on your charger, and if it lists a range like 100-240V, you'll only need a plug adaptor, not a voltage converter.
No, the Type C Europlug used in North Korea is ungrounded, with no earth pin, and is designed for Class II double-insulated devices. If your appliance requires grounding, it won't be compatible with this plug type.
