Megan Lacina photographed in Pyongyang in April. Photo: Facebook
Megan Lacina, 28, of Los Angeles, USA, arrived in Korea for a marathon in April. However, she said that if she did, she would probably not make that decision.
The death of American male student Otto Warmbier has left Lacina and many tourists thinking about arriving in one of the world's most mysterious countries, according to the BBC.
Warmbier died on June 19, after nearly a week of North Korean release. The 22-year-old student was sentenced to 15 years in prison by Pyongyang for stole a propaganda sign from a hotel in Pyongyang.
Lacina said the Koreans were "timid and discreet but not unfriendly". Although many advised not to go, she decided to go to Korea for "want a one-dimensional view of the human country" here.
But I'm glad that I was there, but at this moment, after Otto Warmbie's death, if I leave next week, I can not imagine how my trip will be. "
She showed sympathy when she learned that Warmbier had been arrested for stealing a banner at the hotel. "I understand the comfort of staying in a hotel. It makes you forget where you are," she said.
Travel companies have not long praised and described North Korea as "a land of seclusion and wonder" or "one of the pristine destinations left in the world" or "a surreal experience." Memorable". Besides, understanding the concerns of tourists, these companies insist that Korea is a safe place.
However, after Warmbier's death, most travel agents expressed their reluctance to respond to the press because of concerns that any information they may disclose could have an impact on the business.
Young Pioneer Tours (YPT), which was established in 2008 in China, regularly organizes trips not for the faint of heart. In addition to the tour to North Korea, the company also offers visitors an area affected by the Chernobyl nuclear power plant explosion.
In an interview with NHK News, YPT representatives believed that North Korea remains a safe destination if tourists are well prepared. At the same time, the company points out that during its ten years of operation, Warmbier was the first and only visitor case to have been detained in Korea.
However, the YPT announced on June 20 to suspend the deployment of Americans to North Korea due to high risk aversion, according to the SCMP. Some travel agencies then issue the same notice.
The State Department warns citizens not to travel to Korea and is considering issuing a ban. "We are evaluating the situation to see whether to restrict travel to those traveling to Korea," Foreign Minister Rex Tillerson said.
"Koreans seduce Americans to their countries through China-based tours, they advertise online that no American has ever been arrested for traveling to and that it is a safe destination." Warmbier's father claimed, believing he had been tricked into the North, according to CNN.
The tourism sector is a significant source of revenue for Korea. Each year, there are an estimated 100,000 foreign visitors to Korea, most of them Chinese, while visitors from other countries range from 8,000 to 10,000.
With the growing tension in relations between the United States and North Korea, Americans are more likely to be targeted by Pyongyang. Currently, a businessman and two American university lecturers are still detained in the North.
"As tensions between the United States and Korea increase, we see the number of tourists dropping." After the United States stiffened its stance, claiming it could attack the military, people naturally hesitated to book tours. North Korea, "said Andre Wittig, a travel agent based in Berlin, Germany, Pyongyang Travel. Thank you for leaving valuable comments
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