What is illegal North Korea?
Ava Mcdaniel
Updated on February 17, 2026
Foreign movies, songs not allowed
Watching foreign movies or listening to foreign music can send North Korean citizens to jail. In 2015, North Korea's dictator Kim Jong-un ordered the destruction of all cassette tapes and CDs that had state-banned songs in order to contain dissent.Why is North Korea illegal?
North Korea - Level 4: Do Not TravelDo not travel to North Korea due to the serious risk of arrest and long-term detention of U.S. nationals. You cannot use a U.S. passport to travel to, in, or through North Korea without a special validation from the Department of State.