Economic Sanctions
Singaporeans may not be able to visit North Korea as the country is heavily sanctioned by the United Nations Security Council. In response to North Korea’s nuclear and missile tests conducted in 2017 and 2018, a series of UN Security Council Resolutions have imposed a large range of sanctions on the country. These have included a ban on exports of coal and iron, a ban on foreign financial transactions, a ban on vessels from North Korea to ports worldwide, and prohibitions related to weapons. These sanctions are in place to deny key sources of revenue to the government.
John Park, a Harvard professor and expert on the North Korean economy, points out that the sanctions have had a major impact on the country. According to Park, “The sanctions have been very effective in curtailing their ability to generate income and acquire technology. Visa restrictions make it very difficult for most North Koreans to travel, and non-essential travel into the country is heavily restricted.” This has made it almost impossible for Singaporeans to visit North Korea.
Travel Ban
Singapore’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) has issued an advisory against travelling to North Korea. The MFA has cited the heightened tensions in the region, the risk of arbitrary detention, the restrictions on access to consular services, and the sanctions imposed against North Korea as reasons for Singaporeans to stay away from the country. In addition, there are few valid reasons for travel to North Korea and any requests for travel would have to be made in writing and approved by the Ministry.
Visitors from Singapore may be asked to provide proof of travel insurance to cover any medical costs. It is also highly likely that they would be required to put up a security deposit of up to US$5000 to be released upon return. The money is usually paid in US dollars and is typically non-refundable.
North Korean Political System
In addition to the economic sanctions, tourists from Singapore may be hesitant to visit North Korea due to its political system. The country is ruled by a single-party dictatorship and has a history of human rights abuses. The few visitors who have been allowed to enter the country are usually restricted to certain areas and often followed by government officials or agents. Furthermore, speaking about political topics may be considered threatening by the authorities and visitors may be detained for breaking the law.
Analyst Lim Hae-Ryong, from the Korea Economic Institute of America, says “Visitors from Singapore should be aware of the North Korean political system and should exercise caution when travelling there. Despite North Korea’s efforts to improve its international image, tourists from Singapore should not be misled by false reports of luxury hotels, beaches and tourist attractions as there may be security risks to consider.”
Media Propaganda
Singaporeans should also be aware of the media propaganda disseminated by North Korea’s state media. News outlets in the country portray a highly distorted view of the regime and distort facts to portray the leadership in a positive light. Singaporeans should not be taken in by this media propaganda and should be aware of the negative aspects of the North Korean government. It is also important to remember that censorship is widespread in the country and visitors should not be tempted to speak out against the regime.
Kelvin Ong, Research Fellow at the S. Rajaratnam School of International Studies, says “North Korea is still a highly repressive state and visitors from Singapore should be aware of the risks and restrictions associated with visiting the country. It is important to remember that media sources in North Korea brook no criticism of the regime and should not be trusted.”
Economic Investment
Despite the UN sanctions, some Singaporean companies have made economic investments in North Korea. Singapore firm ST Group has invested in the Haeju Port and the Pyongyang Golf Course, while Singapore company Koryo Tours has opened a tourism office in Beijing.
Analysts have noted that Singaporean companies have tried to sidestep the UN sanctions in order to make investments in North Korea. David Freed, a research associate at the University of California’s Center on Immigration, Refugees and Forced Migration, says “Singaporean companies have shown an interest in the potential for economic opportunities in North Korea. However, such investments have been limited due to UN sanctions and the lack of a legal framework for foreign investment.”
Humanitarian Aid
Singapore has also provided humanitarian aid to North Korea through the Red Cross. In 2017, Singaporean donors contributed S$100,000 to the Red Cross to help provide food and medical supplies to the country’s people. According to the Singapore Red Cross, the money was used to purchase food packages, medical equipment and medicine.
Bernice Teo, spokesperson for the Singapore Red Cross, said “The Singapore Red Cross is committed to providing humanitarian aid to those in need and this donation is a reflection of that commitment. Our goal is to provide assistance to the most vulnerable people in North Korea, while respecting their dignity and rights.”
Singaporean Diplomacy
Singapore’s relationship with North Korea has been improving in recent years due to the efforts of the Singaporean Foreign Minister. In 2017, the Minister held talks with his North Korean counterpart and discussed issues such as the denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula, the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries, and the possibility of increased economic cooperation.
Choo Chiau Beng, Chief Executive of Keppel Corporation, says “The Singapore government’s diplomatic efforts have led to more people-to-people exchanges, which could pave the way for increased economic ties between North Korea and Singapore. We hope that these efforts continue and lead to a closer relationship between the two countries.”
Trade Relations
Singapore and North Korea have a healthy trade relationship. In 2017, Singapore exported S$78 million worth of goods to North Korea, with the majority of exports being food and beverage products. South Korean-made products such as electrical machinery, electronic equipment, communication equipment, and computers also made up a significant portion of the exports.
Analysts have noted that Singapore’s exports to North Korea are relatively small compared to those of China, Russia and South Korea, but the increasing trade between the two countries could be a sign of growing ties. Dr Tan Jing Quee, a political scientist at the National University of Singapore, says “The fact that Singapore is engaging in economic exchanges with North Korea, despite the UN sanctions, demonstrates that the two countries are growing closer.”
Cultural Exchange
Singapore has also been trying to improve cultural exchange between the two countries. In 2018, Singaporean students visited North Korea as part of an educational exchange program. During their visit, the students visited the Pyongyang International Film Festival, the demilitarized zone, and the popular tourist site Maack Hill. They also attended lectures on North Korean culture, economy and history.
Henry Lee, one of the students who participated in the exchange program, says “This exchange program has given us a glimpse into North Korean culture and society. We have learnt a lot about the country and its people and it has been a great experience for us.”
Conclusion
In conclusion, it is clear that Singaporeans cannot currently visit North Korea due to the economic sanctions in place. However, the two countries have a healthy trade relationship and are attempting to strengthen their ties through diplomatic efforts and cultural exchange. It remains to be seen what the future holds for relations between Singapore and North Korea, but it is clear that it will be an interesting journey.
