Travel Advisories
North Korea
The External Affairs Office strongly urges Jovian citizens to avoid all travel to North Korea/the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea due to the serious risk of arrest and long-term detention under North Korea’s system of law enforcement. North Korea arrest people for things we do not consider crimes. The NPC has condemned the government of North Korea for acts of aggression.
If you are planning to travel to North Korea,
Be advised that the Kingdom does not have any diplomatic missions in the area. There is no way of protecting you if you get into trouble.
North Korea's government will search your property and may confiscate items on your person.
In North Korea, the following, whether done knowingly or unknowingly, have been treated as crimes:
- Showing disrespect to the country’s former leaders, Kim Il Sung or Kim Jong Il, or for the country’s current leader, Kim Jong Un, including but not limited to tampering with or mishandling materials bearing their names or images;
- Entering North Korea without proper travel documentation;
- Possessing material that is in any way critical of the DPRK government;
- Proselytizing or carrying out religious activities, including activities that may be construed as such, like leaving behind religious materials;
- Engaging in unsanctioned political activities;
- Traveling without authorization, even for short distances;
- Having unauthorized interaction with the local population;
- Exchanging currency with an unauthorized vendor;
- Taking unauthorized photographs;
- Bringing pornography into the country;
- Shopping at stores not designated for foreigners; and
- Removing or tampering with political slogans and signs or pictures of political leaders.
We beg you to follow all instruction given and follow all rules posted by North Korea.
EXTERNAL AFFAIRS OFFICE, MAY 2, 2017
Libya
The External Affairs Office warns Jovian citizens against traveling to Libya due to terrorist and militant action in the area.
If you are planning to travel to North Korea,
Be advised that the Kingdom does not have any diplomatic missions in the area. There is no way of protecting you if you get into trouble.
Tripoli and other cities have witnessed fighting between armed groups and government forces as well as terrorist attacks. Hotels frequented by westerners have been caught in the crossfire. Militia controlled checkpoints are common. Militia groups sometimes detain travelers for arbitrary reasons, do not grant detainees access to a lawyer or legal process, and do not allow detainees to inform others of their status. Jovian citizens should carry valid visas at all times but be aware that these documents do not guarantee fair treatment.
Most international airports are closed, and flights out of operational airports are sporadic and may be cancelled without warning. On December 23, 2016 an airplane traveling from Sabha to Tripoli was hijacked and diverted to Malta by armed men threatening to blow up the plane. Seaports and roads can also close with little or no warning. Violence in Libya against civilian commercial interests raises serious concerns about the safety of maritime vessels and their crews. The Libyan National Army (LNA) announced on January 7, 2015 that all vessels in Libyan waters require LNA approval for transit, following the January 4, 2015 bombing of a Greek-operated oil tanker that killed two crewmen near Derna, Libya. Vessels are advised to proceed with extreme caution when approaching all Libyan oil terminals and ports. Mariners planning travel to Libya should check for any maritime advisories and alerts.
Jovian citizens should avoid areas of demonstrations and exercise caution if in the vicinity of any large gatherings or protests, as even demonstrations intended to be peaceful can turn confrontational and escalate into violence. Crime levels in Libya remain high, including the threat of kidnapping for ransom.
If travel in the desert or border regions of Libya is critically necessary, exercise caution and comply with local regulations. Terrorist organizations, including Islamic State-affiliated groups and al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb, continue to threaten the region. Recent terrorist attacks have occurred in the border region, where extremists have kidnapped Westerners, most recently two Italians and a Canadian citizen in September 2016.
EXTERNAL AFFAIRS OFFICE, MAY 2, 2017