North Korea “don’ts”

The government of North Korea (Democratic People’s Republic of Korea) imposes heavy fines and long prison sentences with hard labor on persons who enter the country without a valid passport and a North Korean visa.

Activities North Korean security personnel may view as espionage include unescorted travel; unauthorized attempts to talk to North Korean citizens; unauthorized currency transactions; shopping at stores not designated for foreigners, and taking unauthorized pictures.

It is a criminal act to show disrespect to the country’s current and former leaders. Authorities have threatened foreign journalists who questioned the policies of North Korea.

North Korean border officials routinely confiscate cell phones of visitors, returning them upon their departure. Foreign visitors may be arrested, detained or expelled for involvement in unsanctioned religious or political activities.

The US does not maintain diplomatic or consular relations with North Korea.