Area Code 21 – Pyongyang

Overview of Area Code 21

Area code 21 is the National Destination Code (NDC) assigned to Pyongyang, the capital and largest city of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (North Korea). As a geographic code, it identifies fixed-line telephone numbers within the Pyongyang Directly Governed City, which includes the central urban districts and surrounding administrative areas. The code is used for all landline connections in the capital, covering government offices, businesses, and residential subscribers.

Geographic Coverage and Administration

Pyongyang is the political, economic, and cultural hub of North Korea. The area code 21 encompasses the city's core districts, such as Chung-guyok, Pyongchon-guyok, and Moranbong-guyok, as well as newer developments like Mangyongdae-guyok. The code is administered by the state-run Korea Posts and Telecommunications Corporation (KPTC), which operates the country's public switched telephone network (PSTN). Access to international calling is strictly controlled, and all communications are subject to government monitoring.

Dialing Formats

When calling a Pyongyang landline from abroad, the international format is: +850 21 XXXX XXX (or sometimes +850 2 1XXX XXXX, depending on the local number length). For example, a local number might be dialed as +850 21 123 4567. From within North Korea, callers dial 02 1XXX XXXX (using a trunk prefix '0' before the area code) or simply 21 XXXX XXX for local calls within the city. However, due to the country's isolation, most international callers will need operator assistance or special routing through neighboring countries.

Caller Instructions

For international callers, it is essential to check with your service provider for access to North Korea, as many carriers do not offer direct dialing. If available, you will need to dial your country's exit code (e.g., 011 from the US, 00 from most European countries), followed by North Korea's country code 850, then the area code 21 and the subscriber number. For example, from the US: 011 850 21 123 4567. Local callers within Pyongyang can dial the subscriber number directly without the area code. Note that mobile phones in North Korea use separate prefixes (e.g., 191, 192) and are not part of the geographic numbering plan.

Overlays and Numbering Plan

Currently, there are no overlay codes for Pyongyang; the city retains a single geographic area code. The numbering plan is closed, meaning the length of subscriber numbers is fixed. As of recent years, Pyongyang numbers typically consist of 7 digits after the area code, but older 6-digit numbers may still exist. The North Korean government has been gradually expanding its telecommunications infrastructure, but access remains limited for most citizens.

For further assistance, consult your telecom provider or the international dialing guidelines for North Korea.