North Korea

[corkscrew]

We are planning another trip to North Korea. Who is interested?

http://www.anniephotos.com/00/0nko/index.html

Edited February 3, 2008 by corkscrew

[toptuan]

Is it still illegal (by American law) for Americans to visit this terrorist-sponsoring, foreign citizen-abducting state (defined by US gov't.)?

If so, how do we circumvent the regulations? Also, without USA diplomatic or consular services in this country, what recourse does an American citizen have if they run into trouble?

Edited February 3, 2008 by toptuan

[RPSGT]

Is it still illegal (by American law) for Americans to visit this terrorist-sponsoring, foreign citizen-abducting state (defined by US gov't.)?

If so, how do we circumvent the regulations? Also, without USA diplomatic or consular services in this country, what recourse does an American citizen have if they run into trouble?

Dare I say None.

RPSGT

[TypicalAnonym]

Is it still illegal (by American law) for Americans to visit this terrorist-sponsoring, foreign citizen-abducting state

This is a common (incorrect) assumption. It is not illegal for Americans to visit the DPRK.

I went in October 2005.

[JacknDanny]

Is it still illegal (by American law) for Americans to visit this terrorist-sponsoring, foreign citizen-abducting state (defined by US gov't.)?

If so, how do we circumvent the regulations? Also, without USA diplomatic or consular services in this country, what recourse does an American citizen have if they run into trouble?

More to the point, who really gives a sh!t?

[farang prince]

Yes, I'm sure North Korea is lovely at this time of year...great hotels, wonderful nightclubs and restaurants...friendly people and helpful soldiers. Hehehehehehe. You have got to be kidding me. After your delightful vacation in N. Korea, why don't you try Chad or Somalia next?

[Wrong Turn]

Is it still illegal (by American law) for Americans to visit this terrorist-sponsoring, foreign citizen-abducting state (defined by US gov't.)?

If so, how do we circumvent the regulations? Also, without USA diplomatic or consular services in this country, what recourse does an American citizen have if they run into trouble?

It's not really the USA side of things.

It's North Korea: they don't want Americans to visit. Technically, you might get a visa with a 24/7 guide, and pay thousand of US dollars for it.

But even this, is nearly impossible.

Koreans that pay lots of money can visit Kimgang Mt.

It will be a few years, I think, before you'll be able to go there.

[khunopie]

I hear the N korean Kimchi is especially delightful this time o year but nay impossible to have a happy ending with your massage

[jetjock]

As the previous poster said 'the problem is on the North Korea side and not on the US. As an American, I think you may find it difficult to get a visa on your own however there are one or two agencies that run N. Korea tours that can probably get you one. FYI, here is some recent info from the US State Dept. regarding traveling to N. Korea:

October 15, 2007

U.S. citizens planning to visit North Korea are encouraged to register prior to departing the United States with the U.S. Embassy in Beijing, if entering North Korea from China, or with the Swedish Embassy in Pyongyang (U.S. Protective Power), contact details below.

COUNTRY DESCRIPTION: The Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (North Korea or the DPRK) is a highly militaristic Communist state located on the Korean Peninsula between northeast China and the Republic of Korea (South Korea or ROK), with land borders with China, Russia and South Korea. The DPRK is one of the world’s most isolated countries. The continuing dispute over North Korea’s development of nuclear programs and nuclear weapons has resulted in tensions in the region and between the United States and the DPRK. North Korea limits trade and transportation links with other countries and tightly restricts the circumstances under which foreigners may enter the country and interact with local citizens. Telephone and fax communications are unavailable in many areas of the country and foreigners can expect their communications to be monitored by DPRK officials. In the past few years, North Korea has experienced famine, flooding, fuel and electricity shortages, and outbreaks of disease. Many countries, including the United States, have contributed to international relief efforts to assist the people of North Korea.

Foreign tourists are a means for North Korea to earn much needed foreign currency, but an underdeveloped service sector, inadequate infrastructure, and political tensions with surrounding countries have stymied any significant tourist flow. North Korean efforts to expand tourism have focused primarily on group tours from China, as well as from South Korea primarily to the Mount Kumgang tourist area.

The United States does not maintain diplomatic or consular relations with the DPRK. The Swedish Embassy located in Pyongyang acts as the United States’ interim consular protective power and provides basic consular services to U.S. citizens traveling in North Korea. Please refer to Special Circumstances for additional information.

[Pib]

We are planning another trip to North Korea. Who is interested?

http://www.anniephotos.com/00/0nko/index.html

Would like to say, "Been there, done that" but in this case I think I will just say "Haven't been there, don't want to do that."

[TypicalAnonym]

Normally I am the type of traveler who goes somewhere with the attitude of wanting to learning the other guy's point of view, expand my mind, be open to new ways of thinking about stuff, etc, etc.

However I went to North Korea more to confirm my suspicion that it really is a Stalinist, paranoid, whacked-out -- but fascinating -- experience. I was 100% right on all accounts.

I see a lot of gum-flapping on this thread. How many of you "armchair travelers" will have the courage to actually go to the DPRK, thereby earning the credibility to make some of the comments I'm seeing in this thread?

A pic I took, of the Tower of the Juche Ideal. A monument to self-sufficiency -- we see how well that's worked out for them, eh?

Edited February 4, 2008 by TypicalAnonym

[Beavis and Butthead]

Is it still illegal (by American law) for Americans to visit this terrorist-sponsoring, foreign citizen-abducting state (defined by US gov't.)?

If so, how do we circumvent the regulations? Also, without USA diplomatic or consular services in this country, what recourse does an American citizen have if they run into trouble?

omg! terrifying aint it. I'm scared. great thread corkscrew, count me in

[Beavis and Butthead]

I've been to Cuba dozens of times and have always longed to get to N. Korea

[corkscrew]

Is it still illegal (by American law) for Americans to visit this terrorist-sponsoring, foreign citizen-abducting state (defined by US gov't.)?

If so, how do we circumvent the regulations? Also, without USA diplomatic or consular services in this country, what recourse does an American citizen have if they run into trouble?

It's not really the USA side of things.

It's North Korea: they don't want Americans to visit. Technically, you might get a visa with a 24/7 guide, and pay thousand of US dollars for it.

But even this, is nearly impossible.

Koreans that pay lots of money can visit Kimgang Mt.

It will be a few years, I think, before you'll be able to go there.

Both times that we vivited North Korea we had guides 24/7. The first time it was just my girl friend and myself. The second time it was with a group....the photos in the link were taken by my daughter on the second trip.

It was a fascinating trip...really a hermit kingdom. On our first trip our guide did not know that the US put men on the moon. The radios are pretuned to only receive N. Korea stations.

On both trips we flew in from Beijing.

[corkscrew]

Though my daughter shot the b/w photos I shot a few inferior colour ones on this 1995 trip.

http://www.corkscrew-balloon.com/03/01/2xxx/11c.html

[tw25rw]

We are planning another trip to North Korea. Who is interested?

http://www.anniephotos.com/00/0nko/index.html

As long as the regime uses places like this to maintain power, I wouldn't go there: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hoeryong_concentration_camp

[torrenova]

Not the sort of place I'll be queuing up to get into any time soon.