DPRK to permit US tourists year-round

According to a press release from Koryo Tours:

Koryo Tours has been informed that a more general opening of the DPRK (North Korea) to US tourists is likely to take effect in 2010. It is expected that American citizens, who had previously been restricted to visiting North Korea only during the annual Arirang Mass Games festival which runs from August to October may now be permitted to enter the country year-round. Normal restrictions on American tourists also include staying in North Korea a maximum of 4 nights and only being permitted to enter and exit the country by plane from China, there is also a 4 times weekly train that runs from Pyongyang to Beijing, as yet it is unclear whether these restrictions will also be dropped but a decision is expected before too long.

Koryo Tours has been operating trips to North Korea since 1993 and is universally recognised as the only specialist/expert in this unique area. Unlike the competition, we are also regular visitors; rather than ship our clients off and hope for the best, we work in conjunction with the Korean tour guides as cultural conduits. ensuring everyone has the optimum experience from this journey of a lifetime. Recommended by all the North Korean guidebooks, we consult with international media regarding information and analysis on DPRK tourism and have produced three award winning documentaries on North Korea in association with the BBC (www.koryogroupcom). There’s more to see in North Korea than most people imagine, and with this new policy it seems likely that Americans will now have the opportunity to see more than ever.

I have visited the DPRK twice (though not wth Koryo Tours) and I recommend the trip. Koryo’s tour dates can be found here—although the dates for American tourists will likely be expanded.

Share

6 Responses to “DPRK to permit US tourists year-round”

  1. a listener says:

    Do you ever have moral descrepancies when visiting the country? Knowing that in a small way it pumps money into the regime. I would love to visit but would have a hard time overcoming the thought.

  2. NKeconWatch says:

    Not really. I have been to many countries which rank low on the totem pole of human rights, democracy, and economic development—in fact those are the places I prefer to visit. I don’t ever expect to set foot in Europe again unless I am on my way to some country in Africa, the Middle East or Central Asia.

    In most cases I feel tourists do more good than harm, even in North Korea. But I am not here to convince anyone I have all the answers or even the right one—but it is one that works for me. It is also my opinion that debating this topic rarely changes minds.

  3. a listener says:

    Curtis, we have the right to change minds or be stubborn in the west. They do not, lest they die by hearing our words and are reported to their security apparatus. Still my mind is unchanged when it comes to this site. I’m thankfull for it.

  4. a listener says:

    I do not know why you will not set foot in Europe again Curtis, that is not my business and frankly I not give a damn to know why. However I do care that you have visited the shut off Forbidden Korean City of Willows (Pyongyang), something few have. More power to you. On your next , be sure to let them know that Americans want themt to live and be prosperous, everyone except the son of Chuche.

  5. NKeconWatch says:

    I should qulaity that by saying “Western Europe”. Most of the former Soviet Union is still on my list.

  6. Justino says:

    How would say that tourists do more good than harm in situations like the DPRK? I am undecided on the matter, but putting money into the hands of the DPRK makes me uneasy. I also worry that tourists are a kind of point of propaganda “Look how great our country is that so many foriegners want to visit it.

    Are these concerns justified or is there another angle that I am missing?