On April 6, North Korea hosted its annual Pyongyang Marathon, with participants from 46 countries, including Southeast Asian nations like Thailand and Vietnam. Alongside this event, North Korea is also preparing for major tourism events, such as the opening of the Wonsan-Kalma Coastal Tourist Zone in June.

These efforts signal the regime’s continued push to attract foreign visitors and boost its tourism industry.

However, this push for tourism should be viewed with caution. While the North Korean regime is promoting its tourism sector as a source of economic revenue, the reality is that much of the foreign currency generated from these efforts is funnelled into the pockets of the regime to fund its nuclear weapons programme, rather than benefiting the country’s population.

The tourism projects themselves, built at great cost by North Korean citizens through forced labour, are not symbols of economic prosperity for the people, but rather tools used to enhance the government’s grip on power and control over the population.

North Korea’s attempts to position tourism as a pillar of its national economy have only exacerbated the suffering of its citizens. The regime uses forced labour extensively, and controls its people with an iron fist, even as foreign tourists are invited to visit the country.

For instance, foreign visitors have reported witnessing the use of cart-pulling oxen and horses in the 21st century, a sign of the country’s underdeveloped infrastructure. Moreover, the regime has been criticised for its human rights abuses, particularly the use of child labour in state-sponsored performances such as mass dances.

Perhaps the most haunting reminder of the dangers faced by foreigners visiting North Korea is the case of Otto Warmbier, an American tourist who was arrested on charges of espionage, tortured and left in a coma before dying shortly after his release.

This tragic incident serves as a stark reminder that North Korea’s regime is willing to punish foreign tourists arbitrarily and without due process. Those who choose to visit North Korea should be aware that they could easily become victims of similar arbitrary detention or worse.

While the idea of visiting one of the world’s most secretive and isolated countries may hold a certain allure, particularly for those curious about the regime’s inner workings, it is crucial to understand the broader implications.

Tourism in North Korea essentially supports one of the world’s most repressive regimes, one that has consistently violated human rights and engaged in aggressive actions on the global stage. Supporting North Korean tourism, directly or indirectly, means aligning with a government that continues to perpetrate egregious human rights abuses.

Moreover, for those who choose to engage in tourism in North Korea, there are significant personal risks. Foreign nationals may find themselves subjected to arbitrary detention or even placed on watchlists by governments around the world. For example, travellers may face difficulties when attempting to enter countries like the US, where North Korea-related activities are scrutinised closely.

It is important for potential tourists to reflect on the ethical and personal risks of supporting a regime known for its grave human rights violations.

Rather than romanticising a visit to North Korea, tourists must recognise that their actions could be interpreted as tacit support for a regime that systematically abuses its people and violates international law.

In conclusion, while North Korea’s tourism sector may seem enticing, it is essential for the international community to consider the moral implications of visiting a country that continues to operate under one of the most authoritarian regimes in the world.

The risks to both the citizens of North Korea and foreign tourists are far too great to ignore.

The world must remember the plight of the North Korean people and work to hold the regime accountable, rather than turning a blind eye to its abuses under the guise of tourism.

Dr. Phy Veasna is geopolitical researcher at the Royal Academy of Cambodia. The views and opinions expressed are his own.