I've been to North Korea more than 180 times. Here's how tourists can stay out of trouble.

Fri, 08/23/2024 - 04:56

Inside North Korea and South Korea's Demilitarized Zone (DMZ) in Panmunjom, 2002. [ONLY LICENSED FOR USE IN THIS ARTICLE] — South Korean and US military personnel steps away from Simon on his first visit to the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ) in 2002. He says they didn't say hello when greeted.
Simon Cockerell

Simon Cockerell, a tour operator, has visited North Korea more than 180 times.
North Korea is opening partially to tourism for the first time since the COVID-19 pandemic.
He said visiting can be full of pitfalls, like mentioning religion or South Korea.

This as-told-to essay is based on a conversation with Simon Cockerell, a manager at the travel agency Koryo Tours. It has been edited for length and clarity.

The first time I went to North Korea, I thought I knew what to expect.

I was living in Beijing at the time, which was near North Korea. I figured it would be a bit like China or a bit like Russia.