US tourist held in North Korea

On Oct. 26, an 85-year-old US tourist was escorted off of a plane by North Korean officials as his tour group was preparing to leave Pyongyang. At press time, he was still being detained. The tourist is a veteran of the Korean War and had discussed his opinions with a tour guide and another North Korean the day before. This is the first time a registered tourist has been detained.

On Nov. 19, the US Department of State recommended against all travel by US citizens to North Korea (Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, or DPRK).

The government of North Korea has not only imposed heavy fines on but has detained, arrested and imprisoned persons who violated DPRK laws. Since January 2009 and prior to Oct. 26, 2013, four US citizens were arrested for entering North Korea illegally and two US citizens who entered on valid DPRK visas were arrested inside North Korea on other charges.

Foreign visitors may be arrested, detained or expelled for activities that would not be considered criminal outside North Korea, including involvement in unsanctioned religious and/or political activities, whether those activities took place inside or outside North Korea. Security personnel may regard as espionage unauthorized or unescorted travel inside North Korea and unauthorized attempts to speak directly to North Korean citizens. 

Authorities may fine or arrest travelers for exchanging currency with an unauthorized vendor, for taking unauthorized photographs or for shopping at stores not designated for foreigners. 

It is a criminal act to show disrespect to the country’s former leaders or to the current leader, Kim Jong Un. It is a criminal act to bring printed or electronic media criticizing the DPRK government into the country. If you bring electronic media, including USB drives, CD-ROMs, DVDs or laptops, into the country, you must assume that DPRK authorities will review the information on those devices. If DPRK authorities permit you to keep your cell phone upon entry into the country, you should assume your communications are monitored. 

Sentences for crimes can include years of detention in hard labor camps or death.