North Korea. The Democratic People’s Republic of Korea. The Hermit Kingdom. Referred to by many names, the country has continued to make headlines around the world – and still remains on the list for every globetrotter chasing 196.
In late 2015, I met a traveler in Taiwan who introduced me to Koryo Tours and shared stories of his time in North Korea. With each story, I was drawn in deeper. I needed to go. However, like many others, I was under the impression that Americans could not travel to the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea. The following year, reaching my goals became my top priority. I began researching countries that I believed could jeopardize my mission to visit every country in the world by 2025. Astonished, I learned that I was wrong. As many as 1,000 Americans were traveling to North Korea each year. With a few exceptions, Americans were able to travel with the same tour operators, on the same tours as other able nationalities. With ever-changing restrictions, I figured it was now or never. Almost immediately, I booked the “3-night Chollima Express Tour” offered by Koryo Tours – a travel company that specializes in group and independent tourism to the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea.
I traveled to North Korea as an American in January 2017 [see post: Off the Beaten Path: North Korea]. To my surprise, North Korea really was easily accessible. Unfortunately, things have changed. Effective September 1, 2017, United States passport holders are banned from traveling to North Korea, with limited exceptions to enter the country.
Weeks before the travel ban, daring Americans raced over to the Hermit Kingdom. At this time, they were the last Americans to visit – leaving other American globetrotters chasing 196 with a difficult, if impossible, hurdle to jump. All other able nationalities, do not fret – you can still visit! Although travel to North Korea still requires booking a guided tour and being constantly accompanied by your guides, visiting the country is certainly a unique, one of a kind experience.
