As interest in holidays to North Korea increases, we’re highlighting the importance of checking the latest FCO travel advice to ensure that your destination is safe and your travel insurance will be valid.

North Korea may seem like a strange place to go on holiday, but it seems that many Brits do want to visit this mysterious country.

In the last few weeks as tensions between North Korea and South Korea have increased, tour operators has reported a rise in enquiries for trips to North Korea, despite the threat of nuclear war.

Both Regent Holidays and Cox & Kings have seen an increase in enquiries about tours in North Korea over the last couple of weeks.At the moment, both operators say that no flights have been cancelled and that tours are operating as normal.

Check the latest Travel Advice

The situation in North and South Korea could change rapidly so it is important to check the latest advice from the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) before you travel.

The FCO is currently stating that there is no immediate risk or danger to British nationals travelling to the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (North Korea). However you should check their travel advice pages regularly where new information will be posted if the situation changes.

British nationals travelling to North Korea should register with the British Embassy in Pyongyang prior to or on arrival.

FCO Travel Advice and Travel Insurance

If you are planning a trip to North or South Korea it is vital to check the latest travel advice before you depart the UK and regularly whilst you are away. If you travel against the advice of the FCO your travel insurance will become invalid and you will not be covered for your trip.

The situation in North Korea is quite an extreme example, but it highlights the importance of checking the FCO travel advice to ensure that you don’t inadvertently visit any places where you will be at risk and where your travel insurance would become invalid.For instance Egypt is a very popular holiday destination and most resort areas are unaffected by unrest in other parts of the country, but there are areas, such as North Sinai, where the FCO is advising against all travel.