The most reclusive country in the world just opened its doors to American tourists — and living right next door in South Korea made this news hit very differently for us.
Q: Can American citizens visit North Korea? A: At the time of this post North Korea had lifted travel restrictions to allow American citizens tourist entry during spring and autumn seasons in an effort to boost tourism revenue. Guided tours are mandatory and visitors undergo intensive pre-travel briefings on behavior expectations before entering the country. Rules are extensive and strictly enforced.
Q: What is it like to visit North Korea as a tourist? A: Visiting North Korea is unlike any other travel experience in the world. Independent travel is not permitted — all visitors must join an organized guided tour and movements are carefully controlled throughout the trip. That said for those curious about one of the world’s most isolated nations it offers a genuinely unique and thought provoking window into a completely different reality.
Q: Why would someone want to visit North Korea? A: For many travelers the appeal is the opportunity to see firsthand one of the most isolated and misunderstood countries on earth. Getting even a glimpse of life inside North Korea — however curated — offers a perspective that is impossible to gain any other way and raises profound questions about politics, humanity and the world we live in.
Q: What are the travel rules for visiting North Korea? A: The list of rules for visiting North Korea is extensive and should be read carefully before considering any trip. Guided tours are compulsory, photography is restricted, behavior expectations are strict and all interactions with locals are monitored. Violating rules can have serious consequences so thorough preparation is absolutely essential.
Q: What is it like living in South Korea so close to the North Korean border? A: Living in South Korea gives you a completely different perspective on North Korea than most Westerners have. South Koreans have a remarkably pragmatic and often surprisingly relaxed attitude toward their northern neighbors — a perspective that rubs off on you the longer you live here and makes the geopolitical situation feel both more real and somehow more surreal simultaneously.
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