Former U.S. Envoy Urges Easing of North Korea Travel Ban, Citing Humanitarian Impact
A former U.S. envoy for North Korean human rights has urged the United States to ease its long-standing travel ban to North Korea, saying the prohibition has also blocked American humanitarian aid to the reclusive state. The State Department, however, reiterated its warning against all travel, emphasizing the risk of arrest and long-term detention.
Robert King, who served as special envoy for North Korean human rights from 2009 to 2017, wrote in an article released by the Korea Economic Institute of America that Washington has renewed the travel ban without any public assessment of what a decade of prohibition has accomplished. The ban was first imposed in September 2017, after North Korea released Otto Warmbier, a U.S. college student who had been detained for 17 months on charges of anti-state activities. Warmbier returned home in a vegetative state and died days later. The ban has been extended annually since then.
"The extension of the travel ban comes without any effort to identify whether it has been helpful. Over the last decade, the travel ban has been extended with no indication of improving North Korea's attitude toward the U.S. or the conditions under which the North Korean people suffer," King wrote. He added, "The prohibition has kept American tourists from taking 'unforgettable' and expensive tours to North Korea, but it has also prevented U.S. citizens from providing much-needed humanitarian assistance."
King acknowledged that there is still "good reason" for concern that some "naive" tourists might fail to recognize the potential problems, dangers, and differences in Pyongyang that could involve serious risks of punishment for U.S. travelers. However, he stressed that humanitarian aid groups understand how to work with North Korean officials to ensure safe and effective operations.
In response to questions from Yonhap, a State Department spokesperson reiterated the official warning, saying, "The Trump Administration has no higher priority than the safety and security of Americans. Due to that strong commitment, the Department's Travel Advisory for Americans regarding the Democratic People's Republic of Korea remains at Level 4: Do Not Travel." The spokesperson added that Secretary Marco Rubio extended the existing Geographic Travel Restriction, making U.S. passports invalid for travel to, in, or through North Korea, due to "continuing concerns over the serious risk to Americans of arrest and long-term detention in North Korea."
The State Department posted a notice in the Federal Register last month announcing the extension of the travel ban until Aug. 31 next year, as the current measure was set to expire on Aug. 31 this year. The ban has been extended annually since its imposition.
The former envoy's call comes as the U.S. continues to maintain a policy of no travel to North Korea, despite occasional diplomatic overtures. The State Department spokesperson also noted that President Donald Trump has made clear the United States remains open to dialogue with Pyongyang "without preconditions," though no specific talks have been announced.