Area Code 57 – Wonsan

Geographic Overview

The +850 57 prefix is a geographic National Destination Code (NDC) assigned to the city of Wonsan (원산), the capital of Kangwon Province in North Korea. Wonsan is a major port city on the eastern coast of the country, facing the Sea of Japan (East Korean Sea). The city serves as an important economic and military hub, with its deep-water port and naval facilities. The prefix 57 covers the entire Wonsan metropolitan area and its immediate administrative districts, including the Wonsan Industrial District and surrounding rural counties.

Dialing Format

To call a landline in Wonsan from abroad, you must dial the international access code (00 or +), followed by North Korea's country code 850, then the area code 57, and finally the local subscriber number. North Korean landline numbers typically have 6 to 7 digits after the area code, but the total length after the country code is fixed at 9 digits for geographic numbers. For example, a local number might be 123456, so the full international format would be +850 57 123456.

When calling domestically within North Korea from another region, you would dial 057 123456 (including the trunk prefix 0). However, international callers must omit the leading 0 and use +850 57.

Caller Instructions

• International callers: Dial your country's exit code (e.g., 011 from the US), then 850, then 57, then the local number. Example: 011 850 57 123456.
• Local callers within Wonsan: Dial only the subscriber number (e.g., 123456) if your phone is within the same exchange area.
• Callers from other North Korean cities: Dial 0, then 57, then the subscriber number (e.g., 0 57 123456).

Technical and Regulatory Notes

North Korea's telecommunications infrastructure is state-controlled and limited. International calls to North Korea are often routed through the country's sole international gateway in Pyongyang, which may cause delays or require operator assistance. The 57 area code is part of the national numbering plan administered by the Ministry of Post and Telecommunications. Due to the country's isolation, direct dialing may not always be available, and calls may need to be booked through an operator. Additionally, mobile phone coverage in Wonsan is provided by Koryolink (3G) and Byol (4G), but these services are separate from the geographic landline network. When calling a mobile phone in North Korea, you would use the mobile prefix (e.g., 191 or 192) instead of 57.

For businesses or individuals attempting to reach contacts in Wonsan, it is advisable to verify the number's current status, as the government frequently changes numbers for security reasons. International callers should also be aware that North Korea may not have a roaming agreement with their carrier, and calls to North Korea may be blocked by some service providers due to sanctions.