All The Things You Need To Remember When Going To North Korea

North Korea is a hermit country often associated with Communism and its strife with South Korea. In fact, some people think that North Korea is closed even for tourists. This is because only a few people visit and exit the country. However, there are still a great many places to see here and what makes the country more interesting is the fact that barely anyone has an idea of what goes on in North Korea.

If you are planning a trip here, it’s best that you take a moment to know how you should behave here or at the very least, familiarize yourself with what to do and what not to do. There are very few travel guides on the country. So we’ve put together this guide to let you know what to expect and help make things easier for you when you arrive in this culturally unique destination.

All your photos will be screened

Before you even leave the country, all your photos will be screened. There are times when an officer will ask you to delete a certain photo and you should always remember to follow them. There is no point in fighting as this can cost your life.

At the same time, there are places where cameras are not allowed and tour guides will ask you to keep cameras away. There are places and scenes that should never be recorded and for your sake, do not venture to steal shots.

There is no wi-fi

Although you can buy a sim card when you get to North Korea, don’t expect to find wi-fi areas. There is only one place where you can get a wi-fi connection and that is in Masik Ski Resort. If you have any correspondence needed to be done, you should ask your hotel’s e-mail address so that you can use it to send e-mails outside the country.

You are required to bow down to statues of their leaders

Whether you are a local or not, you are required to bow down to every statue of a North Korean leader you will see. There are no exceptions to this, so if you have strong feelings against it, it would be best to avoid places that have statues. Another way to show respect is not pointing fingers on any leader, even if it’s a statue. If you are going to address a leader or point towards the statue’s direction, then point using one whole hand.

You should never call it North Korea

The right way to call the country (at least when you are there) is by calling it “Democratic People’s Republic of Korea”. Saying this instead will keep you safe and out of the police’s radar.

Don’t expect to be immersed with the locals

Almost everything in North Korea is controlled or screened so there is little to no room for anything spontaneous. If you plan on talking to some locals, you can say goodbye to that plan because you are only allowed to talk to fellow tourists and your own tour guide. There are no side trips included and it’s not advisable that you wander off alone.

If you still plan to go to North Korea after this, then it’s highly recommended to read more about the country and its etiquette. While it may not sound fun, it will give you a better appreciation of what the country is and how it is run.