North Korea
Pyongyang
Current time
Monday, June 22, 2026
- Capital
- Pyongyang
- Time zone
- Asia/Pyongyang
- UTC offset
- UTC+9
North Korea operates on a single time zone, Asia/Pyongyang (UTC+09:00), with no daylight saving time (DST) adjustments. The country maintains consistent timekeeping year-round, simplifying scheduling for local and international coordination. Its time zone aligns with South Korea and Japan, making regional business exchanges straightforward. North Korea's time policy is stable, with no recent changes reported, ensuring predictability for travel or remote collaboration.
Time Zone Details
North Korea observes UTC+09:00 nationwide, matching Japan Standard Time (JST) and Korea Standard Time (KST). This offset places Pyongyang 14 hours ahead of New York (UTC-05:00) during standard time and 8 hours ahead of London (UTC+01:00). The lack of daylight saving means clocks remain unchanged throughout the year. Businesses coordinating with North Korea should note the consistent 9-hour lead over Coordinated Universal Time (UTC).
Historical time shifts are rare; the most notable was in 2015, when North Korea briefly adopted UTC+08:30 before reverting to UTC+09:00 in 2018. Current timekeeping aligns with regional neighbors, facilitating trade and communication. The country's single time zone ensures uniformity across all provinces, including Pyongyang. International meetings should account for the 9-hour offset from UTC when scheduling.
Scheduling Considerations
When planning virtual meetings with North Korea, note that standard business hours (9 AM–6 PM local time) align with early mornings in Europe (12 AM–9 AM UTC) or late evenings in the Americas (4 PM–1 AM PST). Public holidays like the Day of the Sun (April 15) may affect office availability, though time zone offsets remain unchanged. Confirming local working days in advance is advised for seamless coordination.
Cross-border projects with South Korea or Japan benefit from shared time zones, eliminating time conversions. However, differences in public holidays and workweek structures may still require adjustments. North Korea’s consistent UTC+09:00 simplifies long-term planning compared to regions with DST. Travelers should verify operating hours for services, as some businesses may follow non-standard schedules.
FAQ
- Does North Korea observe daylight saving time?
- No, North Korea does not use daylight saving time. Clocks remain on UTC+09:00 year-round.
- How does North Korea's time zone compare to neighboring countries?
- North Korea shares the same UTC+09:00 offset as South Korea and Japan, ensuring synchronized timekeeping across the region.
- What is the time difference between Pyongyang and New York?
- Pyongyang is typically 14 hours ahead of New York (UTC-05:00 during standard time) due to the UTC+09:00 offset.