Visiting North Korea is a highly unique and controversial travel experience. The decision to visit North Korea should be made after careful consideration, as it comes with a number of ethical, political, and safety concerns. The question of whether it’s “worth” visiting North Korea is subjective and depends on your personal interests, values, and priorities.
North Korea offers a unique and unusual travel experience. It’s a place that very few people have the opportunity to visit, and you’ll witness a society that is highly isolated and controlled. If you have a strong interest in political systems, history, or want to see a different side of the world, it could be an intriguing destination.
You should check the most recent travel advisories and conditions before planning any trip.
Can You Visit North Korea?
Yes, tourists can visit North Korea, though there are a few caveats. Like everything else in the country, tourism is tightly controlled by the North Korean government.
Tourists can only visit the country on pre-booked guided tours. There are a handful of long-established companies that specialize in arranging tours of North Korea. These include Koryo Tours and Regent Holidays.
However, you cannot travel to North Korea If you hold an American passport. The American government banned its citizens from visiting North Korea in 2017. South Korean nationals are also unable to travel to the DPRK.
Is it Safe to Visit North Korea?
Broadly speaking, yes. Following the arrest and tragic death of Otto Warmbier in 2017, United States’ citizens are banned from visiting the country. Great Britain’s Foreign Office also advises against all but essential travel to the DPRK.
However the travel companies that provide trips to the DPRK are quick to point out that these warnings and restrictions are possibly political rather than practical.
Visitors to North Korea are treated as guests, and the DPRK is keen to leave a positive impression of the country on visitors as possible. The political and societal circumstances in North Korea are obviously incredibly unique, but follow the rules and local customs as laid out by your guides and there should be no problems.
Each of the major tour companies that operates in North Korea have long-established links with state-owned North Korean tourism bureaus and foreign embassies in Pyongyang.
If you have any specific questions or concerns before booking a trip to North Korea discuss them in advance with the tour companies and they’ll be happy to help you.
Always Follow the Rules
The most important piece of North Korea travel advice is to abide by a few important rules.
- Firstly, never speak ill of Kim Il-sung, Kim Jong-il or Kim Jon-un. Criticising the Kims is a huge insult – and also a crime – and could put your entire trip at risk.
- Secondly, don’t wander off from your group or guides. Trying to sneak off alone or to see things unaccompanied will land you in a huge heap of trouble.
- Finally, be careful what you photograph. The rules on what you can photograph are not as restrictive as you might think – we took over 1000 photos during trip to North Korea.
However, certain things are off limits. Photos of construction sites and military officers are not allowed. Neither are shots of the countryside during the journeys between cities.
Photography is also prohibited inside specific sites, but if in doubt check with your guides. Don’t be surprised if you’re told to delete any photos that your guides might not be happy with.
Don’t Question North Korea’s Historical Narrative
Visiting North Korea means having to accept the country’s version of its own history and the history of the region. The North Korean version differs greatly from the reality.
As a totalitarian state with a vice-like grip on all forms of education, media and communication, the ruling regime has created an alternative history for the DPRK that cannot be questioned.
That history suits the narrative that portrays the DPRK as a victim, defending itself from several decades of American imperialism and aggression. Added to this is the complete whitewash of any of North Korea’s sins, of which there are many.
You’ll Hear a Lot About the Kims
It’s impossible to overstate how much the Kim dynasty dominates North Korea. The ubiquitous and glowing statues and portraits of Kim Il-sung and Kim Jong-il are just the tip of a very large iceberg.
The Kim’s cult of personality is inescapable and permeates every aspect of life, including tourist’s trips to the DPRK.
Obvious examples are the visits to the embalmed bodies of the Kims at the Palace of the Sun and their enormous statues at Mansudae Hill Grand Monument, but they’re infused into almost everywhere you visit.
Almost every book in souvenir shops is either written by or about Kim Il-sung or Kim Jong-il. At every place you visit in North Korea your guides will tell you how many times Kim Il-sung or Kim Jong-il visited it. There’s usually a framed red sign above the door to mark the date they came, or a huge framed photo of their visit at the entrance.
The schools, universities, factories and farms that you’re taken to will all have a connection to the Kims, too. They’ll have either visited it, provided guidance there or, supposedly, will have given the order to build it.
Even historic sites that were damaged during the war will have been restored under the orders of one of the Kims. Their words and slogans are even etched into the mountains in Myohyangsan.
You Can Take Your Phone to North Korea
Despite some reports, you can take your smartphone into North Korea, as well as cameras, laptops and tablets. They will all be inspected by customs officials when you arrive in North Korea. Drones are not allowed into the DPRK.
Be aware that you’ll be offline the entire time that you’re in North Korea. On the whole there is no access to internet or mobile phone network for foreigners in the DPRK, though things may be about to change.
Reports suggest that WiFi is available in the casino in the basement of the Yanggakdo Hotel in Pyongyang. According to NK News the network runs through China and their restrictive firewall, so websites like Google and BBC are still blocked.
Bring Enough Money in a Multitude of Currencies
This is where North Korea can get confusing. Foreigners aren’t allowed to spend North Korean Won whilst in the DPRK (the only exception being at the Kwangbok Supermarket).
Instead, tourists have to use a confusing combination of three foreign currencies when buying anything in North Korea. These are the Chinese yuan, US dollars and Euros. Bring enough of each currency, and ideally in low denominations.
Even $10 goes a long way in North Korea, so bring plenty of 5 and even 1 dollar bills.
Visiting North Korea is not a typical tourist experience. It can be an opportunity to witness a highly controlled and isolated country, but it comes with significant ethical and safety considerations. You should thoroughly research and consider these factors, and consult with your country’s travel advisories before making a decision.
Be prepared for a very different travel experience than what you might find in most other destinations.
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