Travel regulations as North Korea reopens after 5 years

Having to apply for a double-entry Chinese visa, being required to buy a tour and using foreign currency are three of the many regulations for foreign tourists traveling to North Korea.

North Korea reopened to tourism on February 20 after a five-year hiatus. On February 13, the first group of international tourists arrived in the Rason Special Economic Zone, marking the return of tours to the country.

North Korea's opening to tourism has attracted international interest, with many questions about entry regulations, travel conditions and changes. Koryo Tours, the first agency to bring Western tourists to this country, summarizes the regulations when traveling to North Korea after 5 years of being closed to tourists.

Tourism opening status

The Rason Special Economic Zone opened on February 20. This special economic zone is located near the border of China and Russia.

However, Pyongyang has not announced a reopening date. The Pyongyang International Marathon, scheduled for April 13, is likely to be open only to local athletes or those with special invitations.

Entry regulations

Most visitors in the world can enter North Korea as tourists, except in the following cases:

South Korean citizens: Approval from both the South Korean and North Korean governments is required, making travel between the two countries practically impossible.

US citizens: North Korea accepts American tourists, but the US government has banned its citizens from traveling to North Korea since September 1. This travel ban is renewed annually.

Malaysian citizens: Banned from entering North Korea under Malaysian government regulations since late 2017.

Travel regulations as North Korea reopens after 5 years — **Staff of the International Friendship Exhibition House wearing traditional costumes welcome guests, 2018.** Photo: Nguyen Phong

Visa requirements

Currently, the only way to get to Rason is through China, and visitors are required to have a double-entry Chinese visa. Because visitors will have to return to China after finishing their trip. China's visa exemption policy does not apply in this case.

Travel to the Rason Special Economic Zone can only be done by road through the China-North Korea border gate, as Rason has no international flights.

Tourists cannot travel independently and must join a licensed tour. This is a general rule for all forms of tourism to North Korea, including the Rason area.

When arriving in Rason, visitors will be accompanied by a local guide throughout the journey and are not allowed to move around freely. This rule is to ensure that visitors comply with local government regulations.

Safety and legal regulations

According to Koryo Tours, North Korea is safe to travel to because the country has a low crime rate, so tourists don't have to worry about robberies. However, North Korea has strict rules that tourists must follow. Violations can lead to serious consequences, from fines to deportation or even detention.

Any statement, gesture or action seen as disrespectful towards North Korean leaders could lead to trouble.

No religious preaching or carrying religious materials: Propagation, distribution of Bibles, religious books, leaflets or similar materials is prohibited.

Do not bring or disseminate Korean cultural products: Movies, books, magazines, songs or any content originating from South Korea are not allowed to be brought into North Korea.

No Photography of Military or Military Facilities: Photography of soldiers, military vehicles, barracks or military areas is strictly prohibited and may result in inspection or confiscation of equipment.

Do not leave the group or change the itinerary without permission: Tourists are not allowed to move around freely and must follow the itinerary set by the tour guide. Leaving the group or going to unauthorized areas may result in heavy fines.

Currency and other services

Foreign currency is mandatory: Visitors are not allowed to use the North Korean currency (KPW). Instead, transactions at hotels, restaurants and shops for foreign visitors are mainly conducted in Chinese yuan (CNY), USD or Euro.

Limited Internet and Wi-Fi: North Korea does offer Wi-Fi, but with many restrictions. Only a handful of hotels that cater to international tourists offer it, but connections are slow and access is strictly controlled. Travelers should be prepared to go without Internet during their trip.

Access to social media is limited, with some platforms blocked depending on the situation. Additionally, North Korea has a private intranet system for its citizens, but foreign visitors are not allowed to use it.

According to vnexpress.net

Source: https://baohanam.com.vn/du-lich/quy-dinh-du-lich-khi-trieu-tien-tai-mo-cua-sau-5-nam-149103.html