23 Countries the U.S. Warns Americans Against Visiting Now: The Full Story

11. North Korea (DPRK): No Consular Protection, Extreme Risk

The "Do Not Travel" advisory for North Korea is absolute. U.S. passports are invalid for travel to, in, or through the DPRK without special validation. The risk of arrest and long-term detention for actions that would not be considered criminal elsewhere is exceptionally high. The U.S. has no diplomatic relations and cannot provide consular services. The full story is a totalitarian state with an opaque legal system where U.S. citizens face grave, unpredictable dangers.