...to North Korea?
 

greetings,

my peers were telling me that I wouldn't be able to go to North Korea if I had a US passport, but I thought that those citizens could travel there. can anyone inform me of how an American can get to North Korea, whereas that person's starting point is Hong Kong? or I guess even the US, for that matter...greatly appreciated

cheers

You can cross the border (by a couple of metres) at Panmunjeom (sp?), an easy day trip from Seoul.

Can't really answer your question, but there's a fascinating account (with pictures!) of one American's journey to North Korea here:

Journey into Kimland

Check out www.koryotours.com. I am planning a trip with them later this year, and they've told me that, with few exceptions, the DPRK will not issue visas to US passport holders. It is the opposite problem to Cuba: our government will allow it but N Korea will not.

There were exceptions in 1994 for some mass games, but that was a different era politically (the Agreed Framework was being negotiated, and the DPRK was not yet part of the Axis of Evil).

You might want to investiage the possibility of dual citizenship. If you have Irish or Italian lineage it can be done, providing you and your family meet certain criteria. I'm actually quite knowledgeable about this now as I'm going through the process myself. Feel free to PM me.

.....

My friend's family, all US Citizens but are of S Korean lineage and birth, were allowed to venture into N Korea a few years ago to visit relatives and find long lost ones.

I looked into it back in 1992 and gave up. I wanted to see what would appear to be the strangest place on Earth right now. There are problems all over the globe, of course, but there is a unique insanity to North Korea.

You may find that my country where I am a Patriot, Albania is interesting. I think many westerners, you think of Albania as very different and "closed" society.

You see I opening a Canvas Backpackers hostel located in Tirane. I have employees we call Leopold & Ibrahim. Ibrahim drive car for me to offer pickups, and Leopold, he new addition and offer ferry service in private vessel from Italy. Leopold can take care of all custom formalities for you.

I think maybe you consider tripping to Albania?

No you don't unless you have permissions from both Korean gov'ts.

You could visit the Mt.Geumgansang resort in North Korea without the need for a DPRK Visa.

Some information from the KNTO site:

http://www.knto.or.kr/eng/03_what/03_04_04.html

There is also the special economic zone next to China with the Casinos, etc. that does not require a special visa (can't remember the name though).

Arturo, is that you?

http://www.korea-dpr.com/kfa2005/

I emailed them to ask if US passport holders would be allowed to participate on this trip.

Bugger
 

http://www.korea-dpr.com/kfa2005/2ND...TION_2005.html

A truly amazing link...thanks for posting.