Tourism in North Korea

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Tourism in North Korea is highly controlled by the government, and as such it is not a frequently visited destination - less than 2000 Western tourists visit North Korea each year, along with larger numbers of Chinese and South Koreans [1]. Tourists must go on guided tours and must have their tour guides with them at all times. Photography is strictly controlled as is interaction with the local population. Although there have been reports of tourists being forced to sign forms at customs saying that they will not publish details of their trip, the country treats tourists well, most of them stay at luxury hotels, and tries to give them a good impression of the country. Numerous tourists who have gone to North Korea have said that they have seen military marches and parades.

In principle, any person is allowed to travel to North Korea, and among those who actually go through the complex application process, almost no one is refused entry. Visitors are not, however, allowed to travel outside designated tour areas without their Korean guides.

Tourists holding passports from the United States are typically not granted visas, although exceptions have been made in 1995, 2002, and 2005.^{[citation needed]} Citizens of South Korea require special government permission from both governments to enter North Korea. In 2002, the area around Mount Kŭmgang, a scenic mountain close to the South Korea border, has been designated as a special tourist destination (Kŭmgangsan Tourist Region, commonly known as "the Diamond Mountains" in English), where South Korean citizens do not need special permissions. Tours run by private companies bring thousands of South Koreans to Mount Kŭmgang every year.

In July 2005 the South Korean company Hyundai Group came to an agreement with the North Korean government to open up more areas to tourism, including Mount Paektu and Kaesong.

[edit] See also

• Pyongyang
• Baekdu Mountain
• Kumgangsan

[edit] External links

• BBC article
• Lonely Planet guide
• Links to travelogues