Can You Still Travel To North Korea?

October 18, 2006 at 4:35 PM | by markj | 3 Comments

Yes, and with all the current nuclear testing strife, we are sure this year's low season (November - March) will be, um, low.

If you are American, South Korean, or of South Korean origin, forget it. Without some sort of super special exemption you will have to holiday elsewhere.

One important exception to this rule, a handful of Americans do get to attend the world famous Arirang Festival, which is held between August 10 and October 10 every year. However, tour organizers are still awaiting word from the DPRK on if this will be the case in 2007 and beyond, so stay tuned.

Journalists, or those suspected of being journalists will have to obtain special permission to visit North Korea. Regardless of who you are, if you want to tour the DPRK you will need to book through a North Korean travel agency--no exceptions. Travel to North Korea is only possible as part of a guided tour, which is organized by the Korean Friendship Association--we kid you not--who kindly answer many questions about touring their country here.

The semi good news for North Korean visitors:
·Don't worry about the food shortages, your guide will order food for you. Oh, and as a tourist, your food will be better than what 95% of the population eats.

·The local speciality is insamju, Korean vodka infused with ginseng roots is readily available to tourists.

Our big sister site has you covered as far as North Korean hotels go. Yeah, you can count on one hand the number of operational hotels tourists are permitted to stay at.

Big time travel warning:

Under no circumstances whatsoever are you to say something that could be perceived as an insult to Kim Il-sung, Kim Jong-Il, communism, or the North Korean people or government. You and your guide are likely to face serious trouble, although your guide will bear the worst of it. Assume at all times that you will be under constant surveillance throughout your trip. Your hotel room, bathrooms, telephones, faxes, emails and even modes of transportation will probably be bugged.

If any travel journalists want to give it a go, email Special Delegate Mr. Alejandro Cao de Benos at korea@korea-dpr.com and let him know the purpose of your journalistic visit. It goes without saying, but if anyone travels to North Korea, tell us about it, will ya?

[Photo: johngoodman]

Related Stories:
· Korea DPR FAQ [Jaunted]
· North Korea [WikiTravel]

3 Comments

Return to » Can You Still Travel To North Korea?

djk
Jaunted Member

Sorry peeps
I just think it's a little sick that anyone would want to travel to North Korea as a tourist. On a lighter note, that website rocks and is a staple on my bookmarks. HAVE YOU SEEN the "brief" biographies of Kim Il Sung and Kim Jong Il you can download?! Kim Il Sung's is OVER 1000 PAGES OF PDF!!! I have it somewhere on my computer at home...

October 18, 2006 at 9:16 PM

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markj
Jaunted

Did you see?
You can get an autographed photo of Kim Jong through the Korean Friendship Association. Whoa.

October 19, 2006 at 9:27 AM

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tripcart
Jaunted Member

All Visas cancelled this year
I was supposed to go to North Korea in August, originally we were given one-week visas but in late June they were reduced to only 3-day visas, finally, about two weeks before we were set to depart the North Korean government cancelled our visas all together. I think it's nearly impossible for Americans to get there now, they only released 50 visas this year (before they cancelled them). From the stories I've heard the food you get is better than what 99% of the population eats.

October 19, 2006 at 10:43 AM

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