Americans face imprisonment without recourse in North Korea as the U.S. government elevates its travel advisory to the most severe level, categorizing the rogue nation as one of only 21 countries worldwide that citizens should absolutely avoid.
Key Takeaways
- The U.S. government has placed North Korea on its “Do Not Travel” Level 4 advisory list for 2025, escalating from “increased caution” to an absolute prohibition.
- Americans detained in North Korea face arbitrary arrest and long-term detention with virtually no diplomatic support, as Swedish representatives often face delays or denials in accessing detained U.S. citizens.
- U.S. passports cannot be used for travel to North Korea without special validation from the Secretary of State.
- Pilots are warned against flying over or near North Korean boundaries through a Federal Aviation Administration NOTAM due to persistent safety threats.
- Burkina Faso has also been added to the “Do Not Travel” list, bringing the total to 21 countries deemed too dangerous for American travelers.
North Korea’s Danger to American Citizens
The Biden administration has issued its strongest warning yet to Americans regarding travel to North Korea, upgrading the nation to its highest threat level. The State Department’s “Do Not Travel” advisory explicitly warns of the risk of arrest, long-term detention, and wrongful imprisonment without due process. This change from merely advising “increased caution” to an outright travel ban reflects the administration’s recognition of the grave threats faced by Americans who enter the hermit kingdom. The complete absence of diplomatic relations between the U.S. and North Korea creates a dangerous scenario where detained Americans have virtually no protection.
“Because the U.S. government does not have diplomatic relations with North Korea, it cannot provide direct help to U.S. citizens in North Korea in emergencies,” advisory
The State Department’s dire warning comes after numerous cases of Americans being detained on dubious charges and used as political bargaining chips by the North Korean regime. When Americans are arrested, the only diplomatic recourse is through Sweden, which acts as the U.S. protecting power. However, even this tenuous lifeline is frequently obstructed by North Korean authorities who routinely delay or completely deny Swedish officials access to detained Americans. This deliberate obstruction strategy effectively leaves American citizens at the complete mercy of a hostile authoritarian regime.
Growing List of Forbidden Destinations
North Korea joins Burkina Faso as the newest additions to America’s “Do Not Travel” list, which now comprises 21 countries worldwide deemed too dangerous for U.S. citizens. The Level 4 advisory represents the State Department’s most severe travel warning category, reserved for nations with extreme security risks. Other countries sharing this dubious distinction include Iran, Yemen, Russia, Afghanistan, Venezuela, and Haiti. This expansion of the travel warning list under the Biden administration raises questions about America’s deteriorating international relations and the increasing number of global hotspots where American citizens cannot safely travel.
For Burkina Faso, the advisory highlights specific dangers including terrorism and kidnapping threats. The warning specifically notes that dual nationals face additional risks, as Burkina Faso authorities may not recognize their American citizenship, further complicating any potential diplomatic intervention. The fact that the Biden administration continues to add countries to this list while seemingly unable to improve global security conditions represents a concerning trend for American travelers and our standing in the world.
“Terrorists may attack anywhere with little or no warning and may utilize various tactics including the use of common, commercially available items or the use of kidnapping for ransom, ” travel advisory
Airspace Dangers and Travel Restrictions
Beyond land-based travel warnings, the Federal Aviation Administration has issued a Notice to Airmen (NOTAM) cautioning pilots against flying near or over North Korean territory. This comprehensive warning extends America’s concern beyond just tourism or business travel to include the very airspace surrounding the regime. The NOTAM highlights the unpredictable nature of North Korea’s military activities and their potential threat to civilian aircraft, adding another layer to the already complex security situation on the Korean peninsula. This air travel warning demonstrates the regime’s danger extends beyond its borders.
The Biden administration has reinforced existing travel restrictions by emphasizing that U.S. passports cannot be used for travel to North Korea unless they receive special validation directly from the Secretary of State. Such validations are extremely rare and typically only granted for humanitarian purposes or when determined to be in the national interest. This passport restriction, combined with the Level 4 advisory, creates a nearly impenetrable barrier for Americans considering travel to North Korea – a barrier that exists for good reason given the regime’s history of using American visitors as political pawns in its diplomatic games against the United States.
