Safest Way to Visit North Korea as a Tourist
Browse more guides: North Korea travel | Asia destinations Safest Way to Visit North Korea as a Tourist Last updated: April 2026 · 12 min read As of April 2026, the Democratic People's Republic of Korea is partially open for tourism, but only narrowly. Russian tour groups returned in February 2024, Chinese groups followed through 2024 and 2025, and a small number of other Asian nationalities can enter via approved operators. Western tourists remain largely barred. United States passport holders specifically can't enter without a special State Department validation, a restriction that has been in continuous force since September 2017. For travelers whose passports are currently allowed, the safest way in is via a registered tour operator on a fully escorted itinerary. Independent travel is forbidden. Every visitor moves with at least two government-assigned guides. Photography is restricted, conversations with locals are limited, and the only legal way to enter is with a co...