I've been to North Korea more than 180 times. Here's how tourists can stay out of trouble.

The first time I went to North Korea, I thought I knew what to expect. I was living in Beijing at the time, which was near North Korea.

I figured it would be a bit like China or a bit like Russia.

There are definitely those elements, especially if you look for them; but the reality is that it is its own place.

In the two decades since then, I've visited North Korea more than 180 times on various tours and trips — perhaps the most of any Westerner.

(Tour operator Simon Cockerell on his first trip to North Korea in 2002.Pictured with a North Korean tour guide in front of a statue of North Korean leader Kim Il Sung in Pyongyang.Simon Cockerell)

North Korea has been closed to visitors for almost five years, but is partially opening up to tourists at the end of 2024.

I've shown hundreds of visitors around the country over the years, and if you've ever thought of visiting, this is how to get the most out of a trip to North Korea.

Careful what you talk about

Interacting with the local people and tour guides in the country is not like meeting aliens — it's actually one of my favorite things to do.

The fact remains though, that when you're allowed to interact with them, you need to watch what you talk about.

You don't have to go around praising North Korea's leaders, but openly criticizing Kim Jong Un is a definite no-no.

So if I go over there and say, "Oh, hey guys, I want to tell you the truth about your leaders, they're actually quite terrible," I'm putting them in a very, very dangerous position.

(Simon [far right] with Grammy-award winning singer Joss Stone [center] and North Korean tour guides at Pyongyang Airport at the end of a tour.Simon Cockerell)

Absolutely no religious talk

This is the most common reason foreigners get detained in North Korea. Most of the ways tourists get into trouble in North Korea is for acts that have been pre-meditated, like leaving a Bible behind, handing out religious material, or bringing in other contraband. Don't take in or leave behind contraband

South Korean cultural products like Korean dramas or K-pop songs should definitely be left behind before coming into North Korea.

Other things on the list include religious material and any material about North Korea published abroad, whether it's literature, guidebooks, or videos.

Steer clear of comparisons to S

outh Korea

A lot of tourists who come to North Korea have experience in South Korea as well.

These people tend to think "Okay, this is where we will connect. Let me tell you about my life in South Korea!"

The problem is that comparisons between North and South Korea tend to favor the South, and you can imagine people don't like to hear it.

(Colorful dancers perform at North Korea's Arirang Mass Games in 2002, a mass event that happens every few years and features 100,000 performers.Simon Cockerell)

About 90% of the country is off-limits — so don't wander off

I've seen beautiful seasides with basalt columns and other places tourists still haven't been allowed to visit.

Something like 90% of the country is off-limits for tourists both legally and logistically.

Horrific poverty means that there's not much infrastructure conducive to tourism outside approved areas.

There are also military bases and operations throughout the country that are off-limits for obvious reasons.

I would definitely advise that tourists stay with their guides at all times, and not wander off for some personal adventure.

(Simon's travel documents on his 180th trip to North Korea - boarding pass for Pyongyang, DPRK visa, and a well-used passport.Simon Cockerell)

Ref: I've been to North Korea more than 180 times. Here's how tourists can stay out of trouble. (businessinsider) Photo Credit- Simon Cockerell