Whether it’s a year-long adventure or just a summer escape, many people cherish the opportunity to travel abroad and experience new surroundings.
However, one Danish individual has pushed these travel ambitions to their limits by visiting every country in the world, including the elusive North Korea.
Henrik Jeppesen, on his blog Every Country In The World, recounts how he embarked on his first solo journey across Egypt at 17. He began documenting his travels in 2009 and has since ventured to 2000 destinations, covering all countries recognized by the United Nations.
Jeppesen, who hails from Denmark, detailed a particularly close call he had with the law during his visit to North Korea.
Accompanying him was a man on a mission to disperse his friend’s ashes globally. This friend, once considered among the ‘world’s most traveled’, tragically passed away before completing visits to every country.
Despite the heartfelt motive, North Korea did not approve of the ashes being scattered there.
This nation uniquely restricts independent travel, and when permission was sought from the guides to scatter the ashes, it was denied.
Nonetheless, Jeppesen’s companion was intent on completing his mission, opting to disperse the ashes and document the act with a selfie-video at the DMZ, the boundary separating North and South Korea.
Unfortunately, this decision led to complications.
As they returned to North Korea’s capital, they were asked by guides to review the footage on their camera.
Upon reaching Pyongyang International Airport, North Korean officials once again requested to inspect his electronic devices.
After a thorough examination, they discovered the video of the ashes being scattered.
This revelation was met with anger, as the act was deemed to have ‘polluted’ North Korea. Both Jeppesen and his companion were taken aback and uncertain about potential imprisonment.
Fortunately, they avoided arrest; instead, they were required to write an apology letter.
The situation was resolved without incident, but it serves as a reminder of the severe restrictions faced by the few tourists allowed entry to North Korea.
In this totalitarian regime, strict limitations on freedom of expression are enforced, and violations can lead to severe consequences. For instance, all media is tightly controlled by the government.