Can Germans Travel To North Korea?

Published On : 04 Sep 2024

North Korea is one of the most closed countries in the world. People are allowed to visit a small part of the country accompanied by guides and have strict limits on what they can do. Can Germans, for instance, visit this rather secretive country? Yes, technically it is possible, but there are many conditions that need to be fulfilled for this to happen.

It is legal for Germans to visit North Korea as long as they have the necessary papers and visa permits before they travel. However, according to the German Foreign Office, no travel to North Korea is recommended because of strict laws, high risk of the application of these laws without notice, and no broad consular representation.

Thus, although it is not forbidden to travel to North Korea, the German government effectively discourages this by stressing how dangerous it is. Those who are not deterred are on their own, devoid of the support and safety of the German embassy.

Being A German Citizen: Applying For A North Korean Visa

If a German citizen still wishes to visit North Korea, the first thing he or she has to get is a North Korean visa. This means one has to engage an accredited tour company and submit personal information several weeks or months to the visit. The visa application form contains questions concerning employment history, organizational associations, countries that have been visited among others phone number and email address.

North Korea is very cautious when it comes to admitting foreigners from the western part of the world and issuing visas. While applying for the travel permit, German tourist will not be allowed to move freely within the country on their own even if they are allowed to visit the country in the first instance. All the transportation, accommodation, sightseeing and meals are fixed and arranged by the authorized tour operators.

North Korea has a number of restriction that are placed on Germans who wish to visit the country.

The restrictions placed on foreign visitors like Germans are extremely tight

Photography prohibited without express permission
There is no direct contact with the locals without the supervision of a superior.
A regime that compels people to attend patriotic or anti-West events
Possible limitations of free speech as much as one wants to write or speak during the trip.
Chances of digital data search at customs

Also, there is no German embassy in the North Korea. Thus, if legal problems or something urgent happens during their stay, German people have no one to address to for help or support.

Even a minor offense that might be perceived as disrespect to the North Korean government could also result to detention, arrest and long long-term imprisonment with hard labor. Several foreign nationals in the recent past have been given over a decade imprisonment in North Korean prison camp.

Why the German Government Recommends Against Travel to North Korea

With these facts in mind, here are some of the official reasons the German Foreign Office cites for its strong travel warning regarding North Korea:With these facts in mind, here are some of the official reasons the German Foreign Office cites for its strong travel warning regarding North Korea:

Fear of being arbitrarily arrested and detained without a fair public trial
Previous experiences of North Korea’s rejection of dual citizenship
Coercion to participate in propaganda against one’s will
Forced currency exchange at an officially fixed highly unfavorable rate
Probability of accidental violation of strict and complicated rules and regulation resulting in strict penalties.
Reduced civil liberties and monitoring or ban of all forms of digital and written communication.
Absence of assistance and support by the German embassy before, during and after the trip

Because of these and many more, the German government recommend that North Korea should be off limits for tourists except where the reasons are very exceptional. Personal safety and security can just not be achieved even for innocent tourist like Germans or any other westerners.

The Positive Reason why some Germans still prefer to travel

The only objective many of the approved German visitors have to visit North Korea is to see such an isolated country with their own eyes and witness what a day to day life is like under such a regime. Some people find they can get a glimpse of this totalitarian state by meeting the North Koreans under the supervision of their guides.

However, the German Foreign Office makes it evident that such experience is very dangerous and has very little to no protection available in case of trouble within the DPRK.

Thus, despite not being prohibited, North Korea tourism for Germans or any western is one of the most dangerous activities that yield little benefit whether as a tourist or cultural envoy. In any case, according to the German government, the best policy is to stay clear of North Korea unless engaged in some sort of sanctioned cultural or political exchange.

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