As North Korea prepares to welcome international tourists in December 2024 after a five-year hiatus, specialized agencies are offering unique travel experiences. Tours, heavily supervised, include visits to significant sites in Pyongyang, though they mask the country’s harsh realities. Despite the moral complexities of visiting, some argue that engagement is vital. While interest grows, potential travelers face strict regulations and government warnings, highlighting the risks of political missteps in this tightly controlled nation.
Exploring North Korea: A Unique Travel Experience Awaits
As we gear up to welcome the new year 2025, travelers are contemplating unique journeys, including marathons in North Korea or special tours celebrating Kim Jong Il’s birthday. After a five-year hiatus due to the pandemic, this enigmatic nation is preparing to reopen its doors to international tourists in December.
The idea of voluntarily visiting a country known for executing individuals over South Korean pop culture or deploying troops in international conflicts may seem absurd to many. However, since the 1990s, North Korea has attracted tens of thousands of Western tourists eager to explore this isolated kingdom. With the recent announcement in August 2024 regarding the reopening of its borders for winter 2024/2025, specialized travel agencies have quickly rolled out enticing packages, offering five-day excursions from Beijing for around a thousand euros.
Tourism Under Strict Supervision
KTG Tours, which previously operated from Shenyang until 2020, is now eyeing European expansion and reports a surge in interest. Prior to the pandemic, they facilitated travel for around 300 people annually, primarily from Europe, according to tour coordinator Rayco Vega. Koryo Tours, another prominent agency that has been organizing trips to North Korea for over thirty years, echoes this enthusiasm, with approximately 800 tourists booking visits each year. These adventurers typically fall into two categories: those seeking extraordinary travel experiences and dedicated observers of North Korean affairs. Despite this, it’s notable that around 90% of tourists hail from China, with over 300,000 Chinese visitors recorded in 2019 alone, as reported by NK News.
Traveling to North Korea involves navigating a rigid itinerary. Upon reaching Pyongyang’s train station, visitors’ personal freedoms are curtailed, with guides constantly accompanying groups. Solo exploration is not permitted; even those traveling alone are assigned two guides. The standard tour includes visits to the towering bronze statues of Kim Il Sung and Kim Jong Il, where tourists must bow and lay flowers. The experience is enriched by strolls through grand squares, the sounds of propaganda music, and performances by schoolchildren, all while being shepherded through the Friendship Exhibition, a museum showcasing gifts from foreign dignitaries that symbolize international recognition of the regime.
Visitors are also taken to the inter-Korean border, where North Korean officers present a distorted version of history regarding the Korean War. However, what remains hidden from view are the stark realities of life in North Korea—malnourished children scavenging for food, individuals disappearing into labor camps, and the harsh conditions faced by factory workers. The experience often resembles a tour through a meticulously curated theme park, where the glittering facade obscures the grim truth beneath.
The moral implications of traveling to such a country are debated among tourists. Nicholas Bonner, the British owner of Koryo Tours, believes that individuals must confront this question themselves. He acknowledges the troubling actions of the North Korean government but argues that direct engagement is preferable to isolation. Magnus Sall, a Swedish IT specialist who visited North Korea with his wife in 1999, shares similar sentiments. They found value in gaining firsthand experience rather than relying solely on external narratives, even if the trip was heavily regulated.
Bonner has also facilitated cultural exchanges, engaging with North Koreans in various contexts, including art exhibitions and films. However, numerous governments advise against travel to North Korea, emphasizing that visits are strongly discouraged. The German Foreign Office warns of severe consequences for political statements or actions, citing the tragic case of Otto Warmbier, an American student who died after being imprisoned in North Korea for alleged crimes against the state.
Bonner describes Warmbier’s situation as a severe cautionary tale, asserting that North Korea is relatively safe for tourists who adhere to established guidelines. Koryo Tours provides a comprehensive briefing on red lines to avoid, such as disrespecting media featuring the ruling family. Despite upcoming trips slated for late December, the tour companies remain uncertain about their execution due to ongoing negotiations with Pyongyang. This uncertainty is characteristic of the secretive regime, which appears to prioritize tourists from Russia, a newfound ally, as evidenced by the arrival of over a hundred Russian visitors in February 2024.