North Korea stands for surveillance, foreclosure and oppression. Can you really enter there as a vacationer? You can, if you know how.However, the course of a vacation in North Korea is more than unusual. Travel alone is not possible and there is alsoSome things you should considerIf you don'twants to have with the North Korean government.
We expressly distance ourselves from the undemocratic regime of North Korea and do not express a travel recommendation with this article. It should only show which paradoxical regulations in North Korea would be possible.
Vacation of a special kind: So you can legally travel to North Korea
To travel to North Korea, you have to book a special travel agency authorized by the North Korean government. These agencies organize the entire trip, including the application for the visa, since this is not available directly from the North Korean message. Travel to North Korea always has to be booked as a package tour and are not inexpensive: an eight -day tour from Beijing costs around 2000 euros. The trips usually last one or two weeks and always start in theCapital city. From there it goes with one of the few flight connections to Pyongyang, the capital of North Korea. All accommodations,And excursions are defined and organized in advance. In principle, almost everyone is allowed to travel to North Korea - except people from South Korea. Journalists can also be prohibited from staying. Wishes can be expressed during the trip, but ultimately the government determines what the tourists can see. Being alone is not permitted in North Korea. Each tour is constantly accompanied by a three -member tour guide, excursions on your own are prohibited.
Under "provider"InstagramActivate to see content
You can see that on a tour through North Korea
In North Korea, visitors can only visit around 15 selected places, whereby the tourists are largely kept away from the visible poverty and the structural problems of the country. Most of the time travelers spend in Pyongyang, the capital. From there, the organizers also offer excursions to the surrounding mountains where you hike or evencan. In addition, visits to historical sites are possible, such as the Goguryeo-Gräber complex and the historical monuments in Kaesong, both of which belong to the UNESCO World Heritage Site. There are no prescribed vaccinations for North Korea, but the Federal Foreign Office recommends vaccinations against tetanus, diphtheria, polio and hepatitis A. The health system in the country is greatly underdeveloped. Therefore, be sure to take out international travel health insurance, which also covers medically necessary return transport.
Under "provider"Xymatic GmbHActivate to see content
Under "provider"InstagramActivate to see content
No electricity, no internet: you have to make yourself prepared in North Korea
In North Korea there are often power failures and also warm onesis not always available. The hotels where tourists are accommodated correspond to the upscale middle class. There is no mobile network and the Internet is only accessible under strict requirements - if at all. Visitors in most hotels can make calls without any problems. Travelers have toBring with you because there are no ATMs. Euro is accepted as a means of payment, while the North Korean won plays practically no role for tourists - as well as daily life in the country itself.
Under "provider"InstagramActivate to see content
10 things that are prohibited for tourists in North Korea
North Korea is not a typical holiday destination and therefore there are also most of the rules and laws. Ignorance does not protect against punishment. Therefore, you should know what is prohibited in North Korea for tourists.
- Take photos without permission:Photographing military facilities, construction sites, impoverished areas or unnecessary people is prohibited. Even official sights can often only be photographed from certain angles.
- Travel alone:Tourists are not allowed to move freely and have to stay at any time accompanied by a state -approved tour guide.
- Speak with locals without permission:Talks with people on site are heavily regulated and spontaneous interactions are rarely allowed.
- Government propaganda disregard or treat them disrespectful:For example, no newspapers with pictures of Kim Jong-Un wrinkles or wrinkles and all official portraits must be treated with respect.
- Bring religious or political materials:Bibles, Korane or other religious texts as well as political books about North Korea are strictly forbidden.
- Use foreign currencies in local shops:Tourists are only allowed to shop in special shops and often have to pay with euros, US dollars or Chinese Yuan.
- Wear inappropriate clothing among official monuments:When visiting statues or memorials from the KIM family, formal clothing is prescribed and disrespectful insult can be seen as a serious insult.
- Leave hotels- Tourists are not allowed to leave their hotels independently and always have to stay with their tour group.
- Bring cards or literature with different representations of North Korea:Cards that do not show the border between North and South Korea from a North Korean perspective can lead to problems.
- Ask questions about sensitive topics:Topics such as labor camps, human rights or political oppression are taboo. Such questions can be dangerous for both visitors and their tour guide.
A violation of these rules can have serious consequences, even detention is possible.
Under "provider"InstagramActivate to see content
Is a trip to North Korea ethically justifiable?
The question of whether a trip to North Korea is ethically justifiable is complex. On the one hand, the visit provides a unique insight into a sealed country. On the other hand, there are serious concerns about human rights and repressiveof the country. North Korea is regularly criticized for its massive human rights violations and the oppression of the population. Tourists who visit the country could unintentionally strengthen the authoritarian regime by generating income and maintaining the image of a "friendly" North Korea. On the other hand, some travelers see their visit as an opportunity to reduce prejudices and to learn more about the country's culture. Ultimately, the ethical reasonability depends on the personal attitude. If you travel to North Korea, you should be clear about all points and consequences.
