Visiting DMZ (Demilitarized Zone) from Seoul: Tour Booking, Passport, and Dress Code

Passport requirement

You must provide your passport details when booking, generally at least a couple of days ahead, and carry the physical passport with you throughout the tour -- it will be checked at multiple security checkpoints along the route. A photocopy or photo is not an acceptable substitute; bring the original document.

Advance booking windows

• General DMZ tours typically need a few days' advance booking for the security clearance process.
• JSA (Joint Security Area / Panmunjom) tours require earlier booking still, commonly around 72 hours ahead, and can be affected by military activity or political events with little notice -- build flexibility into your itinerary if a JSA visit matters to you.
• Tours generally run on a limited weekly schedule rather than daily, so check which days your chosen operator actually departs.

Dress code

Dress conservatively: avoid ripped or heavily distressed clothing, sleeveless tops, athletic wear, camouflage-pattern clothing, and anything overly casual. This isn't just a suggestion -- some tours will refuse entry to specific zones for visitors who don't comply, since North Korean personnel may observe and photograph visitors at JSA.

JSA-specific rules

1. A minimum age (commonly around 12 years old for the youngest member of a group) typically applies for JSA visits specifically -- general DMZ tours are usually less restrictive.
2. Expect to sign a waiver acknowledging you're entering a zone with inherent risk before the JSA portion of the tour.
3. Follow your guide's instructions precisely inside JSA -- pointing, gesturing toward the North Korean side, or stepping outside marked areas is taken seriously by both sides.

Final practical check: save the official page, exact Korean address and nearest transit exit offline. Reconfirm opening hours, last admission, reservation cutoff and the complete Korean-won price on the day. Carry an overseas card plus a small Korean-won backup, keep receipts, and allow extra time for queues or accessibility. When staff, signs or a current government notice conflicts with an older travel post, follow the live instruction and use a safe alternative.