Teaching jobs in North Korea remain one of the most unusual and least publicly advertised opportunities in the global education space. Unlike other countries where vacancies are listed openly on recruitment websites, teaching positions in North Korea are generally offered through controlled channels, partnerships with foreign universities, or government to government programs. This makes the sector both intriguing and highly restrictive at the same time.
For foreign teachers, the most visible opportunities usually appear at institutions like the Pyongyang University of Science and Technology (PUST), where English and subject specific instructors are occasionally recruited. Apart from such exceptions, most teaching roles in North Korea are reserved for local citizens and are not openly advertised online.
Education remains a priority in the country. Schools and universities emphasize core subjects like mathematics, science, technology, foreign languages, and ideological studies. This creates a steady demand for teachers, although the majority of these roles circulate within the domestic system rather than the international market.
In this guide, we will explore the nature of teaching jobs in North Korea, the typical roles available, and what makes the recruitment process so different from the rest of the world.
Ongoing Teaching Jobs in North Korea
1. ESL Teacher
- Contract Length: 1 year
- Number of Vacancies: 8
- Eligible Candidates:
Licensed Teacher, ESL Instructor - School Requirements:
Education Required: Bachelor
Work Visa Eligibility: Canada, Ireland, New Zealand, South Africa, United Kingdom (UK), United States (USA), New Zealand
2. KG / Elementary ESL Teacher – Korea
- institution: Maple Bear Bundang
- location: Seongnam Si, South Korea
- certification: TESL/TEFL Certificate over 100 hours
- Status: Ongoing
3. ESL Teacher in South Korea
- institution: Little Fox Co., Ltd.
- location: Seoul, South Korea
- Status: Ongoing
4. Kindergarten Homeroom Teacher
Maple Bear PyeongchonAnyang, South KoreaLicense required
Ongoing
Typical Roles You Can Expect to Find or Hear About
Here are the types of teaching positions that usually exist in North Korea, even though most of them are not openly advertised:
1. English Language Instructors at Pyongyang University of Science and Technology (PUST): Foreign teachers are sometimes hired to teach conversational English, academic writing, or subject-specific English to university students.
2. Foreign Language Teachers (Chinese, Russian, etc.): These roles are important because of North Korea’s focus on trade and diplomacy with neighbouring countries.
3. Subject Specialists in Science, Mathematics, or Technology: Occasionally, foreign experts are brought in to lecture at universities under cooperative agreements with overseas institutions.
4. Primary and Secondary School Teachers (Local Roles): For North Korean citizens, there are steady vacancies for classroom teachers in maths, sciences, humanities, and vocational subjects, though these are not advertised internationally.
Also read: Healthcare and Nursing jobs in North Korea
Typical Requirements and What Successful Applicants Usually Have
For foreigners who manage to secure teaching roles in North Korea, especially in universities like PUST, the expectations are usually:
- Academic qualifications: At least a Master’s degree is required, and in some cases a PhD is preferred, particularly for specialised teaching in fields like Science, Medicine, or Engineering.
- Teaching experience: Prior university level teaching experience is highly valued. This gives applicants an advantage, especially when handling academic English or subject specific courses.
- Language ability: Classes are often taught in English, but some knowledge of Korean can make daily life and professional interactions smoother, even if it is not officially required.
For local North Korean teachers, the requirements are different:
- State training system: Most local teachers are placed in schools after completing government approved teacher training.
- Government assignment: Positions are often filled through state placement rather than open applications.
Earning and Benefits
Teachers in North Korea earn an average of about 1,921,500 KPW per year, which is roughly 160,125 KPW per month. Salaries usually range between 999,500 KPW on the lower end and 2,941,000 KPW for the most experienced teachers.
Pay also increases with experience and education. For example, new teachers may earn just over 1.1 million KPW, while those with many years in the classroom or a higher degree can earn over 2.2 million KPW.
On average, teachers may see a small annual pay raise of about 3%, though bonuses are not common. Public school teachers generally earn slightly more than those in private schools.
In addition to pay, teachers often receive basic benefits such as housing and transport support, which add to the overall compensation package.
Where to Look and How to Get In
Finding teaching work linked to North Korea is unusual. Roles do appear, but they surface through narrow, controlled channels rather than open job boards. Below are the realistic pathways, written simply so readers know what to expect.
1. University partnerships (most reliable public route): Occasionally, institutions connected to Pyongyang University of Science and Technology (PUST) advertise or accept applications through their own channels. These posts tend to be limited in number and selective. Checking PUST’s official pages and partner university notices is the most straightforward public step.
2. Specialist recruitment / exchange calls (rare and selective): From time to time, specialist programmes or academic exchanges publish calls for visiting lecturers or short courses. These are highly selective and usually go out through partner networks rather than mass job sites.
3. Volunteer or short term placements (small scale, invitation based): Small volunteer projects have sometimes arranged short teaching visits. These opportunities tend to be invitation-based and run by niche groups, so they are not a reliable path for most applicants.
4. Remote or online teaching (growing, low risk option): Some programmes have used prerecorded lectures or online tutorials to bring foreign expertise into the country without physical travel. This channel can appear more often than in-person posts and is worth watching for academics.
5. NGO or training programmes (occasional reports): There are occasional reports of NGOs or training organisations arranging education-related work. These projects are tightly managed and normally not publicly advertised.
6. Government or cultural exchange invitations (very limited): A few foreign educators have entered via official cultural or diplomatic exchanges. These routes are rare, usually require institutional backing, and do not follow ordinary application cycles.
Note: Treat any public mention as a signal, not a guarantee. If you see a possible opening, verify it through the institution’s official page or a trusted academic contact before making plans.
Conclusion
Teaching in North Korea is not like applying for a job in most other countries. Roles exist, but they are tightly controlled, highly selective, and rarely visible to the public. Most opportunities flow through universities such as PUST, academic networks, or carefully approved exchange programmes.
For anyone seriously considering it, the key is to focus on official and trusted channels, confirm details directly with institutions, and understand that the number of openings is extremely limited. This path is less about job hunting in the traditional sense and more about fitting into very specific educational partnerships.
In short, while the chance to teach in North Korea does exist, it remains a niche and specialised field. Anyone exploring this route should take time to verify information and be prepared for the unique challenges that come with it.
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