Can North Korea Become A Tourist Hotspot For Israelis?
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By Naomi Zeveloff February 13, 2017
Israelis who wish to visit the repressive totalitarian state of North Korea will have an easier time now that an Israeli company has received the exclusive franchise to issue tourist visas there.
According to the Israeli economics paper Globes, a tour company will begin offering the visas in the spring, with two organized trips planned.
Haim Peres, manager with the tour company, called North Korea “one of the most fascinating countries in the world today,” adding that “more is unknown than known about the country.”
A representative with Israel’s Foreign Ministry noted that there is no travel ban to North Korea, a nation with which Israel does not have official relations. The representative recommended “extreme caution” to Israeli travelers.
Tourists must bring hard cash, since there are no ATMs or currency changers in North Korea.
An estimated 100 Israelis have visited the closed country, where human rights groups say that the government uses torture, forced labor and abuse to silent dissent. Previously, their visas were issued in China.
Americans have been able to visit North Korea since 2010, with heavy restrictions on their movement there.
Contact Naomi Zeveloff at zeveloff@forward.com
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