US State Department Renews Warning on Travel to North Korea

The US State Department claims that US citizens should avoid travelling to North Korea because they could be subject to arrest and long-term detention.

WASHINGTON (Sputnik) — US citizens should avoid travelling to North Korea because they could be subject to arrest and long-term detention, the US State Department said in a press release.

“The Department of State strongly recommends against all travel by US citizens to North Korea,” the release said on Thursday. “This replaces the Travel Warning for North Korea of May 14, 2014, to reiterate and highlight the risk of arrest and possibly lengthy detention.”

The State Department received reports, according to the release, that North Korean authorities have detained US citizens without charges, including those participating in organized tours.

“Do not assume that joining a group tour or using a tour guide will prevent North Korean authorities from detaining you or arresting you,” the release said.

Since the United States does not maintain diplomatic or consular relations with North Korea, the US government has no means to provide consular services.

US citizens can look to the Swedish Embassy for assistance for limited consular services, according to the release.

US citizens who plan to travel to North Korea, the release instructed, should contact the US Embassy in Beijing, China about their trip and enroll in the State Department's Smart Traveller Enrollment Program.