what happens if you go to north korea
Ever wondered what it's like traveling in the hermit kingdom of North Korea? From local laws to criminal offense, here'southward what you lot need to know to stay safety if y'all travel to Democratic people's republic of korea.
Photograph © iStock/Claudiad Coronavirus (COVID-19) restrictions in North Korea – updated 14 July 2021: All international air and train routes accept been temporarily suspended since 31 January 2020.Based on current data, there is a high risk of exposure to COVID-xix in North korea, and the boosted burden of COVID-19 cases may have a substantial touch on on healthcare.Passengers traveling for tourism purposes are not immune to enter. Foreigners who have arrived from virus-affected countries are subject to a xxx-day period of quarantine and medical supervision.
Tours to North korea have been suspended until further notice. Cheque with your travel provider to run across what this means for you.
In that location is a serious lack of reliable information on the COVID-xix situation in North Korea, and it is about impossible to prove or disprove any claims.
Wondering how your travel insurance might be afflicted by the COVID-19 outbreak? Detect answers to some of our mutual questions well-nigh COVID-19.
Editor's note: Nosotros're all about adventurous, independent, off-the-beaten-rail travel, but unfortunately Earth Nomads travel insurance policies cannot cover travel to or in North korea.
The Korean war ended in 1953, and since then the Korean Peninsula has been divided by a demilitarized zone (DMZ), separating the Autonomous People's Commonwealth of Korea (North Korea) and the Republic of Korea (South Korea).
Forget any independent travel in North Korea, y'all'll be on an authorized tour. Anything else is considered espionage.
Curiosity will probably become the cat killed in North korea – perhaps fifty-fifty your tour guide – and you may be expelled from the state if y'all probe to many questions or step out of line. Even so, Democratic people's republic of korea is a fascinating and totally unique country, and yous may be curious to feel the place for yourself. Start, you must learn to follow all the rules to the letter.
Here's everything you need to know about personal prophylactic and local customs in the country.
- The political situation in North Korea
- Tourism in Democratic people's republic of korea
- Entry limits to N Korea
- Total control
- Laurels the leader
- Local laws you should know
- Crime in North Korea
- Wellness in North korea
- Listen to The Earth Nomads Podcast: S Korea
1. The political state of affairs in Democratic people's republic of korea
While peace is maintained under an ceasefire understanding, the two Koreas are still technically at war and inter-Korean relations are extremely tense. The security situation on the Korean Peninsula could deteriorate with niggling alarm.
Democratic people's republic of korea is a communist state; information technology'southward safe to assume that you will be under surveillance at all times. North Korean government security personnel closely monitor the activities and conversations of foreigners. Hotel rooms, telephones, and fax machines may be monitored, and personal possessions in hotel rooms may exist searched.
North Korea is a closed social club with trivial, if any, data available about internal political developments. Although admission to international satellite TV channels is available in hotels used by foreigners, such access may be curtailed in a crunch. Civil unrest, internal instability and/or an escalation of tensions on the Korean Peninsula could arise rapidly and yous may become little or no information nearly this from the local media or authorities.
two. Tourism in Democratic people's republic of korea
This is a country in which total obedience to the country is the norm. In that location is no "dissension" in N Korea and travelers must abide by this or simply not travel there. Curiosity may well get y'all or your guide killed in North korea, it's as simple as that.
Tourism in Democratic people's republic of korea is different anything you will have experienced anywhere else in the world. Your every motion is controlled, watched and advisedly planned past the Government. Most, if non all tours, are ultimately run by the Korean International Travel Company and it will be their guides who evidence yous effectually.
Forget any notions of contained, hazard or solo travel, it just doesn't piece of work that way in North Korea.
Travel throughout the state is only possible equally function of a guided tour. Independent travel is not permitted, you must not leave your hotel without a guide, you will non exist allowed to travel on the public transport organization at all, and both you and your guide will be punished if you borrow the rules.
If you are not prepared to take severe limitations on your movements and beliefs, you should non go to Democratic people's republic of korea.
3. Entry limits to North Korea
In that location are some nationalities that are not even permitted entry to Democratic people's republic of korea. Southward Koreans are not permitted entry and there take been reports of difficulties regarding Israeli, American, British and Japanese nationals. Yet, in Jan 2010, Democratic people's republic of korea lifted the restrictions on American citizens who are now free to visit at any fourth dimension of the year. If you are a U.Southward. passport holder, be aware you must accept special validation for travel to North Korea from the Department of State. A specialist Due north Korean travel agency tin can aid yous sort out the complex and ever-irresolute regulations.
4. Total command
When you arrive in North Korea, your guide will accept your passport and proceed information technology for "security reasons". Brand sure your passport looks decent and doesn't differ from the about common passports from your state.
Also, DPRK border officials routinely confiscate visitors' jail cell phones upon arrival, returning the telephone but upon departure.
Yous will not have admission to anyone or annihilation that is not part of your authorized tour. You will not get any insight into how local North Korean people live. Your tour will be highly choreographed to visit only authorized sites, shop in approved stores, and speak merely to official guides.
Do not break any of the rules of the tour; doing so will identify your guide at risk. He/she will exist subjected to imprisonment and even torture, for assisting your "espionage". Do what the guides do, praise every stop on your bout, and remember the dominion, "If you have nothing good to say, don't say it at all."
five. Honor the leader
Almost, if not all, tour groups are asked to solemnly bow and lay flowers on one or two occasions in front of statues of Kim Il Sung when visiting monuments of national importance. Always act in a respectful manner around images North Korean leaders.
If yous don't think you can follow the rules, carry respectfully and keep any negative thoughts or opinions to yourself you should reconsider traveling to North Korea.
It is a criminal human activity in Democratic people's republic of korea to prove boldness to the country's electric current and onetime leaders, Kim Jong-Il and Kim Il-Sung. Persons violating the laws of North korea, fifty-fifty unknowingly, may be expelled, arrested, or imprisoned.
half-dozen. Local laws you should know
Whatever unauthorized activities tin and will be seen as an attempt at espionage. If you travel unescorted without explicit official authorization, or any attempt to talk to a N Korean citizen authorities will see these actions as attempted espionage. Always stay with a guide and never exercise annihilation to draw attention to yourself from local authorities.
North Korean authorities may fine or arrest you for unauthorized currency transactions, or for shopping at stores non designated for foreigners.
Exercise non take pictures unless you are told you can; North Korean government government may view taking unauthorized pictures equally espionage, confiscate cameras and motion picture and/or detain the lensman. Photographing scenes of poverty or other things that may cause a negative impression of the DPRK may also result in confiscation. You should ask permission before taking photographs in the DPRK, including of officials, soldiers or other people. DPRK guides tin can provide permission to take photographs.
vii. Law-breaking in Democratic people's republic of korea
Y'all will not be affected by any serious criminal offence in North Korea. Your visit volition exist then tightly controlled that yous will simply not be in a position to exist the victim of crime. The worst yous can look is trivial theft, particularly at Pyongyang airport and in public markets. Equally always you should do care, exist alert to your surroundings and ensure personal belongings are secure. Just because your movements are tightly choreographed you lot should not get too complacent.
8. Health in Democratic people's republic of korea
Your visit volition exist and then tightly controlled that in that location should be no real risks to your health in North Korea.
All the same, Malaria is a risk particularly in the due south of the country, and Japanese encephalitis is not uncommon.
Water-borne, food-borne, and other infectious diseases (including tuberculosis, typhoid, hepatitis, measles, cholera and rabies) occur with more serious outbreaks occurring from fourth dimension to fourth dimension. However, your meals volition be tightly controlled and y'all will not have access to street food.
Hand, Foot and Mouth Illness is common with more than serious outbreaks occurring from time to fourth dimension. From March to May, yellow grit, which is carried to the Korean Peninsula by strong winds from Mongolia and China, can cause eye, nose, mouth and pharynx irritations and may exacerbate respiratory and cardiovascular bug.
Y'all should consider the following vaccinations before traveling to Northward Korea:
- Hepatitis A
- Hepatitis B
- Japanese Encephalitis
- Typhoid
- Ensure your tetanus-diphtheria, measles, mumps and rubella are up to date.
Listen to The Earth Nomads Podcast: South Korea
Desire to know more about North korea? Head to our Stories section to delve a trivial deeper.
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Source: https://www.worldnomads.com/travel-safety/eastern-asia/north-korea/north-korea-travel-tips