October 18, 2024, 8:02 am | Read time: 6 minutes
Two Chinese tour operators are causing a stir online with an announcement. According to them, North Korea wants to reopen to tourists for the first time in winter 2024 after years of isolation in the wake of the Corona pandemic. For the time being, however, this will probably only apply to people selected by the country. TRAVELBOOK explains what you should know before traveling to the dictatorship.
In August 2024, a report that caught the attention of international media emerged: Two Chinese tour operators revealed online that North Korea intends to reopen its doors to international tourists in the winter of 2024, marking the first time in over four years. Initially, this reopening will likely grant access to only a part of the country, with the possibility of the rest gradually becoming available to travelers. Nevertheless, German adventurers might want to temper their expectations for the time being. TRAVELBOOK has all the important information about a trip to North Korea.
Overview
As the Chinese tour operator “Koryo Group” reports on its website, its partners in North Korea have announced that part of the country can be visited again from winter 2024 on. This refers to the city of Samjiyon, renowned as a winter sports haven, particularly favored by Chinese tourists. As there is one of the few flight connections to North Korea from Beijing, Chinese travelers accounted for a large proportion of the holidaymakers in the country before its strict lockdown in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic. For more than four years, North Korea has been almost completely cut off from the outside world, after it became the first country in the world to close its borders to foreigners in January 2020.
Only ‘friendly nations’ for the time being
Samjiyon is also of interest due to its proximity to Mount Paektu, a volcano that is sacred to both North and South Koreans. In folklore, it is considered the birthplace of the Korean people. The Koryo Group notes that reliable information about the rest of the country remains elusive. Yet, there is a growing likelihood that unrestricted travel throughout North Korea may soon be a possibility. According to “CNN“, however, this will probably not apply to all travelers worldwide, but initially only to “friendly nations”, which is likely to mean China and Russia in particular. Previously, North Korean leader Kim Jong-un expressed a preference for welcoming tourists from these allied nations.
In theory, it has also been possible for German citizens to travel to North Korea in the past. However, a look at the website of the German Federal Foreign Office raises the question of whether this would be desirable at all. Indeed, the secluded People’s Republic is far from an ideal choice for your next packaged vacation. Among other advisories, the Federal Foreign Office website cautions: “Foreigners often encounter suspicion from the Korean populace outside regulated interactions. Incidents are frequent, particularly when individuals attempt to explore the country independently. Such endeavors can also lead to detentions by the security forces.”
Is it ethical to travel to North Korea?
Moreover, venturing into North Korea as an individual tourist is an outright impossibility. Each visa application, as crucial for entry as a valid passport, requires prior approval from the North Korean embassy, notably the one in Berlin. For tourist excursions, this procedural step is managed by the tour operator. Once within the country, you are required to travel exclusively with the accompaniment or under the watchful eye of local guides and interpreters. “Not all regions are accessible to foreigners. Venturing beyond the capital typically requires official authorization. Unregulated interactions with locals are nearly impossible, as the population faces punitive threats for such contact. The concept of European-style individual tourism is nonexistent. Moreover, the tourist infrastructure in areas that are accessible remains significantly underdeveloped.”
Of course, you also have to ask yourself whether a trip to a dictatorship like North Korea is ethically justifiable at all. Since its isolation following the conclusion of the Korean War in 1953, the country’s citizens have endured severe repression. Moreover, foreigners, and especially tourists, are not immune to harassment. For instance, possession of a foreign-language newspaper or even a Bible can result in arrest and additional punitive measures. Access to foreign media is virtually nonexistent within the country. Tourists in North Korea are even prohibited from using the internet, even when there is a network. “Currently, reaching out to the German embassy within North Korea is not feasible due to its temporary shutdown. This restriction holds true even in the case of a natural disaster.”
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German tour operators too
Travelers are also emphatically cautioned against expressing their personal (political) views, particularly regarding the country’s situation. Additionally, caution is advised when taking photographs, as numerous aspects of public life are strictly off-limits as subjects. This prohibition extends to “military installations, train stations, airports, ports, bridges, and construction sites. The same holds true for anything perceived by state authorities as potentially damaging to their image. … This includes scenes that might imply a standard of living lower than that portrayed in official state propaganda.” It goes on to say: “Penalties imposed on foreigners can be severe, even for minor infractions. … Furthermore, consular assistance for German nationals detained in North Korea cannot be assured.”
Prior to entry into North Korea from Germany, no vaccinations are mandated; however, “it is recommended that travelers be vaccinated against hepatitis A and B, as well as rabies, with additional vaccinations for typhoid, meningitis (A/CW/Y), and Japanese encephalitis (JE) suggested for extended stays or particular risks. … The standard of medical care across the country is profoundly inadequate. Given the widespread shortage of medications, bandages, medical instruments, and supplies, carrying a comprehensive first-aid kit is advisable. Even hospitals tailored for foreigners fall short of offering care that approaches ‘Western’ standards. Consequently, more serious medical conditions must be addressed in neighboring countries or back in Germany.”
Despite these daunting circumstances, it is indeed possible to find German tour operators online that arrange trips to North Korea. The company “China Hansa Travel“, for example, offers numerous individual and group tours with various themes on its website. A company spokesperson told TRAVELBOOK: “We’ve been organizing these journeys for over two decades, with our most recent trip occurring in January 2020. We are hopeful that we can resume these tours by April 2025 at the latest.” The four-year hiatus due to the pandemic has resulted in a notably high demand.