Background Information
North Korea, officially known as the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, is known for its secretive and totalitarian regime. Underground culture is routinely suppressed, and citizens are banned from leaving the country without official state permission. Access to North Korean territory is closely guarded and access to the country is also highly restricted. As a result, very few foreign citizens are permitted to visit North Korea, and the process for obtaining a visa to visit is often slow and arduous.
Who Is Allowed To Visit North Korea?
Generally speaking, only foreign citizens who are sponsored by an official organization or have personal connections with a North Korean national are allowed to visit the country. Tourists hoping to visit typically need to be accompanied by a local tour guide who has been approved by the North Korean government. All visitors are typically subject to rigorous inspection and are rarely allowed to travel outside Pyongyang, the country’s capital city.
In recent years, the number of tourists permitted to visit North Korea has been steadily declining. The strict restrictions of the government in terms of monitoring activities, coupled with the ongoing tension between North Korea and other nations, has resulted in fewer tourists being granted access.
Categories Of Tourists Allowed To Visit North Korea
Although access to North Korea is limited, there are several categories of foreign citizens who are allowed to visit the country. These categories typically include students, journalists, academics, diplomats and humanitarian workers. Business executives who are invited by the North Korean government are also typically allowed to visit. However, all visitors are required to follow the government’s regulations, including not sharing any negative information about the country or its people.
How To Obtain a Visa To Visit North Korea
Obtaining a visa to visit North Korea is no simple task. Visas are typically only granted to individual applicants and are usually arranged through an official organization or a North Korean tour operator. The visa process can be lengthy and complicated and involves an extensive background check into the applicant’s personal and professional history.
Foreigners hoping to visit should also note that the minimum length of stay in North Korea is five days and that all visitors must have valid health insurance for their travels.
Safety In North Korea
Given the current geopolitical situation in North Korea, it is prudent for travelers to obtain comprehensive information about the country and the risks associated with traveling there. Travelers should also consider their own safety and the safety of their belongings. It’s important to note that the North Korean government has a zero-tolerance policy for those who are caught engaging in illegal activities.
The US-North Korea Relationship
The US-North Korea relationship is one of the most contentious in international politics. Since the Korean War in the 1950s, the two countries have had strained relations and tensions continue to remain high. This has resulted in the US imposing strict sanctions on North Korea and preventing US citizens without special permission from visiting the country.
The Opinion Of Experts
Experts have varied opinions on the matter of North Korean travel. While some state that the restrictions are needed to prevent North Korea from destabilizing the region, others argue that the heavy-handed approach to visitors only serves to further isolate the North Korean people.
One expert suggests that North Korean travelers should be encouraged to experience the culture of different countries and to learn about the outside world. In his opinion, such activities would lead to a more well-rounded and understanding group of people who are better able to empathize with those from other cultures.
What Human Rights Organizations Say
Human rights organizations are critical of the North Korean government’s restrictive policies when it comes to allowing foreign visitors in the country. They argue that the government should be more receptive of travelers who wish to visit the country, but that the strict controls over the population continue to prevent foreign citizens from visiting the country.
Organizations such as Amnesty International have even released detailed reports on the difficulties faced by those hoping to obtain a North Korean travel visa. The reports call on the North Korean government to be more transparent with civilians in terms of its policies on foreign travel and to open up the country to foreigners.
The Impact Of Visas On North Koreans
The granting of visas to North Koreans only makes sense if the North Korean people benefit from the visit in some way. Visits could provide new opportunities for North Koreans by encouraging them to engage with the outside world, fostering appreciation of different cultures and challenging their pre-existing perceptions of the world.
However, visas also bring risks to the North Korean people, especially those who are involved in assisting visitors to the country. Such people risk being persecuted by the North Korean government for their activities, which could result in imprisonment or even death.
The Difficulties Of Visiting North Korea
The difficulties of visiting North Korea can be immense. All visitors must go through the rigorous visa application process, and once in the country, their activities must be carefully monitored to ensure that they do not break any of the country’s laws. In addition, the risk of engaging in activities that could land travelers in trouble with the government is extremely high.
Conclusion
Traveling to North Korea is an incredible opportunity, but it also comes with a range of risks. These risks are compounded by the strict and often unpredictable policies of the North Korean government. As such, travelers must research the country thoroughly and take all necessary precautions should they decide to venture there.
