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Can a North Korean Travel
The short answer is yes, but only a selected few and under rigorous government control. For the average North Korean citizen, international travel for leisure or personal reasons is largely unknown and typically requires official permission.
Who Can Travel Abroad?
The North Koreans who are permitted to travel typically do so for purposes that benefit the state and have been approved by the government. This often includes: Diplomats and Government Officials: Staffing the nearly 60 North Korean overseas missions. Students: Sent to study in countries like China and Russia, often in fields like language, science, or technology.
Overseas Workers: Laborers sent to work on construction projects or in factories, primarily in China and Russia, to generate foreign currency for the government. Businesspeople/Merchants: Those involved in approved international trade. Athletes: Traveling to participate in international sporting events like the Olympics. Performers/Staff for North Korean-run restaurants abroad.
Key Restrictions on Travel
Government Permission is Mandatory: Citizens are strictly prohibited from leaving the country without explicit permission from the government, and unauthorized attempts to leave are severely punished. Defection Risk: The government views emigrants as “defectors” and is concerned that those who travel abroad may not return or may become “capitalist-roaders.” Travelers often have to submit their passports to the authorities upon return. No Leisure Tourism: International travel for the sole purpose of vacation or leisure is not a common practice for North Korean citizens.
In summary, while North Koreans are traveling internationally, it is a tightly controlled process limited to a small, often privileged group whose travel serves specific state interests.
Can I Travel with an expired passport?
The answer to this question depends entirely on where you are traveling and what your citizenship is.
International Travel: Generally NO
For international travel, an expired passport is not a valid travel document.
Airlines will deny boarding: The airline is responsible for ensuring you have the proper documentation to enter your destination country. They will not let you board a flight with an expired passport because they know you will be denied entry by the foreign country’s immigration authorities.
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Immigration will deny entry: A passport is your proof of citizenship and your right to return to your home country. An expired passport does not fulfill the entry requirements of a foreign country. The “Six-Month Rule”: Many countries require your passport to be valid for at least six months beyond your date of entry or date of planned departure. If you are close to the expiration date, even a currently valid passport can be an issue.
Action Required: You must renew your passport before you can travel internationally.
Domestic Travel: Possibly YES (depending on the country)
For travel within your own country, a passport is often just one of several acceptable forms of ID. Some countries’ agencies may accept a recently expired passport.
Example: United States (TSA)
The U.S. Transportation Security Administration (TSA) currently states that it will accept an expired U.S. passport for domestic flights up to one year after expiration. This is for ID purposes only to get through the airport security checkpoint. You may also use other forms of valid government-issued ID, like a driver’s license (especially a REAL ID-compliant one).
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Example: European Union (EU)/UK
Airlines like easyJet mention that for domestic flights, they may accept an expired passport up to a maximum of five years after expiry as a form of photographic ID.
