Hong Yong-jo, who struts his stuff for Russian outfit FC Rostov, could have opened the scoring in the first half but his shot was wide off the target.
The Korean defence stood firm after taking the lead and gave the World Cup hopefuls a winning start.
DPR Korea, who were placed alongside Brazil, Portugal and Ivory Coast in the next year’s World Cup, had lost to Zambia 4-1 in their last match against an African opposition.
Hosts Qatar will begin their campaign against Iran on Monday.