North Korea is one of the most isolated countries in the world. It is often shrouded in mystery and speculation, but who actually goes to visit North Korea? The answer is, by and large, tourists, journalists, religious groups and diplomats. However, visiting the secretive state is no simple task. It requires an entirely different approach and skill set to safely and legally enter the country.
Other than those attending state-sponsored events, visiting the DPRK requires an invitation from a North Korean organization. Tourists are generally steered toward package tour companies, which provide itineraries tailored to individual needs. Journalists usually need to be invited by the government to visit North Korea in order to report on specific events taking place. Religious groups often have to request special permission to visit North Korea in order to work with North Korean churches or other faith-based organizations. Diplomatic visits typically involve visits from foreign government officials, who are usually accompanied by North Korean government dignitaries.
It may surprise some to know that the average tourist isn’t usually required to obtain a visa for a stay in North Korea. Tourists simply need a letter of invitation from a travel company or state-run corporation in order to enter the country. However, it’s important to remember that while it’s legal to visit North Korea, it’s illegal to spend money while in the country. As such, tourists must be mindful of their spending and stick to the guided itineraries.
Approximately 5,000 tourists visit North Korea annually, though only 2,500 are Westerners. This suggests that, while it’s possible to visit North Korea as a tourist, it may be seen as an inadvisable place to vacation. Despite this, many travelers are drawn to the country due to its unique culture and interesting political system.
It’s important to remember that visiting North Korea can be a risky endeavour. The state is largely unpredictable and holds the potential for severe penalties for those who don’t follow the rules. As such, would-be visitors must take the time to research and prepare in order to ensure a safe and successful trip.
Travel Services
One of the most popular ways to travel to North Korea is through a travel service that specializes in North Korean tours. These services typically arrange flights and accommodations as well as provide information and support throughout the trip. This can make the entire process of visiting North Korea easier and less intimidating.
Most travel services that arrange trips to North Korea are located in South Korea, China or Japan. Services such as ‘Young Pioneer Tours’ and ‘Koryo Tours’ have been operating for many years and offer a variety of tours from scenic tours to media tours. Services such as these are often the best option for tourists looking to explore North Korea.
When booking a trip to North Korea through a travel service, it’s important to review the terms of service carefully. While the services should make sure to take all necessary safety measures, the traveller remains ultimately responsible for their own safety. This includes ensuring that all money, passports, and other personal items are secure.
Travel services are not limited to North Korea, as they are common in other places as well. However, they can be particularly useful when attempting to visit a highly secretive and dangerous country such as North Korea.
Diplomatic Visits
Diplomatic visits to North Korea take place on a regular basis, with foreign government officials visiting the country to discuss issues such as nuclear proliferation and human rights. These visits usually constitute official business, as is often the case between North Korea and the United States.
In recent years, prominent North Korean officials have visited the United States and other countries in order to attend meetings and negotiations. This form of diplomacy is a key part of international relations and forges political relationships between states that may otherwise remain opaque.
Diplomatic visits can also take the form of ‘goodwill’ visits, where prominent figures from two countries meet to discuss common interests and foster cooperation between their two nations. These visits often involve tours of both countries and exchanging gifts and cultural experiences.
Of course, diplomatic visits are ultimately a form of political theatre. The leaders of both countries will use their visits as a platform to display their respective countries’ wealth, power, and ambition. As such, it’s important to take these visits into account when considering who visits North Korea and the potential impact of their visits.
Journalists
Journalists make up a large portion of those visiting North Korea. While the country is very guarded when it comes to their media, journalists have occasionally been invited to visit the country for the purpose of reporting.
Journalists are usually restricted to visiting specific sites and interviewing individuals selected by the North Korean government. This makes North Korea a relatively difficult place to gather information, as the government is unlikely to reveal anything that may harm its image or reveal their true intentions.
Despite these restrictions, some journalists have made it their mission to obtain the truth about North Korea. Many of the most important stories about the country, such as revelations about their human rights abuses, have come from those brave and intrepid journalists who risk their reputations and safety to report on the realities within the hermit kingdom.
It’s important to remember that journeying to North Korea as a journalist is no easy task. It requires a certain level of dedication and skill, as well as an understanding of the complexities of the North Korean government.
Religious Groups
Religious groups make up an important part of the visitor dynamic in North Korea. There are dozens of religious organizations and churches within North Korea, and many of them have links to churches and organizations abroad. As such, North Korea has become a destination for religious groups from around the world looking to learn more about the country and work in tandem with their North Korean brethren.
Religious visits to North Korea are usually arranged through state-controlled organizations, and the itineraries that are provided are typically tailored to the visitor’s needs. As religious visits are viewed favorably in North Korea, visitors are often given exclusive access to important sites and locations.
When visiting North Korea, religious groups can often get a glimpse into the lives of their North Korean counterparts and gain a meaningful understanding of how their faith is practiced in the country. This is invaluable to many visitors, as it allows them to gain a more vivid and realistic picture of life within the Korean peninsula.
Religious visits to North Korea demonstrate how the country is open to some outsiders, despite its reputation for isolation and its strict border controls. These visits pave the way for further dialogue and open up potential bridges between outsiders and North Korea.
Final Thoughts
Overall, there are a wide variety of people who visit North Korea. From journalists to sightseeing tourists and religious groups, the diversity of visitors is a testament to the curiosity that the hermit kingdom invokes.
Visiting North Korea requires an immense amount of preparation and safety measures. It’s important to remember that any misstep can result in severe consequences for the traveller. As such, it’s best to do as much research as possible and take all necessary precautions.
Regardless of the potential risks, travelling to North Korea provides a unique and eye opening experience. It can be incredibly rewarding for those brave enough to venture into the unknown and explore one of the most mysterious and isolated countries in the world.
