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news: DPRK Lifts Travel Ban on Americans
North Korea lifted a travel ban imposed on Americans, Radio Free Asia reported Thursday.
http://www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/news/nation/2010/01/117_59955.html
(Dom's comment: If this information is accurate, it will be interesting to see how the new regulations unfold. The DPRK loosened up on US tourism in Fall 2005, and since then has allowed Americans in on a limited basis, between Aug-Oct annually, and with a four-day visit restriction. It will be interesting to see whether the four-day rule is relaxed, now that tourism is apparently going to be allowed year-round.)
Another area of interest will be on how the current currency revaluation is being handled with respect to all the current foreigners who live in the DPRK (e.g., diplomats, aid workers), and current/anticipated tourists. I have understood that with the recent revaluation and calls for no one except DPRK banks (not even foreigners) to be allowed to use f/x, how this will impact on tourism and pricing.
It will also be interesting to see whether the current "blue won for foreigners" and "red/brown won for DPRK citizens" will be in place, or if they will go to some kind of a single currency system, as Myanmar did (well sort-of...) When I was in Myanmar in 2002, foreigners had to purchase foreign exchange certificates (FECs) in exchange for USD 300 at the airport on arrival (however, this was not so strictly enforced). FECs were sold at around Kyat 6.00 to USD 1.00. However, the reality is that anyone could get Kyat on the streets of Yangon for Kyat 1,000+ to USD 1.00. And the Kyat you got on the streets were the same ones that everyone used (and the only ones people would accept at local restaurants, hawker stalls, etc.)
The FECs were pretty much only accepted by (at that time) the only Western (actually high-end Asian hotel group) there, and I think at the govt-run jewelry shops. I did not come across any FECs floating around in the local places.
---Dom
Replies to This Discussion | 이 토론에 대한 답글들
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Permalink Reply by Youngil Ely Loew on -
Man, I can't wait to get into North Korea! I hope they lift that 4 day rule, otherwise it isn't quite worth it. Interesting story about Myanmar. I'm pretty sure however DPRK makes the rules and sets up the money system, it won't quite work for the next few years. I get the impression that they're a bit stubborn ;P
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Permalink Reply by Steven S. Bammel on -
Even if the DPRK lifts the travel ban on Americans, does the US really allow Americans to visit the DPRK? I'd be interested to know what the current laws are regarding US travel and contacts in N. Korea and with North Koreans.
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Permalink Reply by Dom LaVigne on -
There are currently no US restrictions against Americans going to the DPRK for purposes of travel. This policy has been in place since at least 2005.
For purposes of Americans doing business there, it is actually allowed except for prohibitions relating to the current UN sanctions, and US Treasury Dept Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) restrictions, which have been scaled back in recent years. The main prohibitions are concerning "US persons'" involvement relating to a DPRK-flagged vessel. .
UN Security Council Resolution 1718: http://www.un.org/sc/committees/1718/index.shtml
OFAC: http://www.treas.gov/offices/enforcement/ofac/programs/nkorea/nkore...
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Permalink Reply by Steven S. Bammel on
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That's very interesting and helpful. Thanks!
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Permalink Reply by Dom LaVigne on
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Attached are several documents from the aforementioned web sites that may make this clearer. The UN1718.pdf file gives a good (brief) synopsis of the UN's current sanctions.
- Attachments:
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un1718.pdf, 38 KB -
us-un-report-N0945713.pdf, 41 KB
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treasury-contacts.pdf, 56 KB
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Permalink Reply by Dom LaVigne on
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One caveat... a couple important points I forgot to mention:
1. So far as I am aware, current DPRK policy states that citizens of all nations who wish to visit as tourists can do so, but the lengths of the visits and times of the year when this is possible can vary (with US citizens only being allowed in a for a max of four days, typically during the Aug-Oct timeframe).
2. However, South Koreans and Israel citizens are not able to visit. The exception to this would be the Hyundai-run tours to Kaesong and Mt. Kumgang, on which SK citizens can go (assuming the tours were to be restarted at a future date, pending current discussions and a resolution to the Mt. Kumgang shooting last year). That said, does anyone know whether non-SK nationals can participate in these tours?
3. I don't believe the policy on Israeli citizens being able to visit the DPRK has changed.
4. Individual nations might not allow their citizens to visit the DPRK (even if the DPRK would allow them to enter), so best to check with your respective Ministry of Foreign Affairs for clarification on this.
5. Korean-Americans: From what I have read in US govt resources, Korean-Americans are advised not to visit the DPRK as tourists. The definition of "Korean-Americans" encompasses Koreans born in the US, Koreans who are naturalized US citizens and/or permanent residents (Green Card holders), and Koreans with dual citizenship or dual US/Korean passports. I believe* that the reasoning behind this is -- given the continuing sensitivities on both sides of the DMZ -- a person with SK ties (even if they were born in the US and have not lived or worked in SK) could face potential difficulties if he/she were to enter the DPRK, except on official G2G business.
[*Please note that this last sentence is my personal opinion and analysis based on publicly-available information that I have read, and in no way intends to state or reflect the official government policies of the US, ROK, or DPRK on this issue.]
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