You might have recently noticed foreign people visiting the DPRK specifically for the 10 10 Party Foundation Day celebrations. Big foreign delegations, photos with banners, flags, and that trademark enthusiastic flag waving make it impossible to miss if you follow the news.
You might also have wondered why on earth we had not gone to celebrate. The truth is that those foreigners who did visit were almost exclusively part of friendship or fraternal organizations with the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea. These are groups officially recognized by the DPRK with a long history of ideological and cultural exchange rather than independent tour companies or casual tourists.
Some of you may now ask, “Well, aren’t you one of them?” The answer to this despite many cries to the contrary is no. We are an independent tour company that brings regular tourists to the DPRK rather than exclusively supporters or members of such organizations.
And if I know anything you are now probably thinking, “Can I pretend to be part of one?” The simple answer is pretty much no, you cannot. Joining one is not just a matter of filling in a form or paying a fee. Membership is selective, monitored, and usually involves years of activity and alignment with the organization’s mission before you would even be considered for a trip.
A history of fraternal organizations with the DPRK
Fraternal and friendship organizations with the DPRK have been around for decades. During the Cold War, numerous communist and workers parties from Europe, Asia, and Latin America established formal connections with Pyongyang. The Communist Party of Britain for instance used to send delegations through Progressive Tours to attend anniversaries and cultural events. Other groups from France, Italy, and Japan were also regular visitors often studying Juche philosophy, North Korean cultural programs, or political developments firsthand.
These organizations were not about tourism in the modern sense. They were political and cultural delegations designed to maintain ideological solidarity, show support for the DPRK, and exchange knowledge. Visits could involve weeks of lectures, factory tours, school inspections, and meetings with local party representatives. Media coverage at the time was minimal but the DPRK valued the presence of these delegations as proof of its international support network.
Over the years the number of active friendship groups has shrunk but the legacy remains. Contemporary iterations still exist in countries such as Germany, Russia, Japan, and Italy often tied to communist, socialist, or progressive parties. They continue to organize visits for carefully vetted members usually coinciding with national holidays or major anniversaries such as Party Foundation Day or the Day of the Sun.
The Korean Friendship Association
The Korean Friendship Association is arguably the most controversial of all these organizations. Founded in Spain but now operating internationally, the KFA claims to maintain close ties with Pyongyang and regularly organizes trips and cultural exchanges. Its notoriety comes from aggressive online promotion, public statements defending the DPRK, and high-profile media appearances.
In practice the KFA does provide opportunities to visit the country but it is highly selective and membership involves demonstrating political alignment and commitment to the organization’s activities. Recent developments have seen stricter vetting of participants and occasional internal controversies over representation and legitimacy.
International Meeting of Communist and Workers Parties
The International Meeting of Communist and Workers Parties is another channel that has historically facilitated DPRK visits. This is a network of communist and workers parties around the world all sympathetic to North Korea’s ideology. Delegates from member parties may occasionally be invited to Pyongyang for events, study tours, or anniversaries.
It is not a sign up today visit tomorrow situation. Potential visitors must be established party members, active within their organization, and often vetted months or even years in advance. Opportunities are rare and generally tied to major international conferences or commemorative events.
Current fraternal groups and how to visit
Today a handful of fraternal organizations still facilitate visits for their members. Groups like the Korean Friendship Association, certain communist parties in Europe, and smaller study focused organizations are the main channels. In practice membership is not instantaneous. You would likely need to be active for at least a year participate in organizational activities and be vetted by existing members before being considered for a trip. These trips do not happen every year and availability can be unpredictable.
Even groups that study Juche intensely or express strong pro DPRK sympathies are selective. Companies like Koryo Tours or Young Pioneer Tours that bring tourists independently do not count as fraternal membership. Even newer organizations such as Paektu Cultural Exchange or VisitTheDPRK do not meet the standards. Simply wanting to be there is not enough. The DPRK’s process prioritizes loyalty, activity, and trust over casual interest.
Conclusion
If you are genuinely supportive of the DPRK and its ideology then more power to you and you should get involved. If however you see this as a quick fix way to sneak into the DPRK it is most likely not going to work. Fraternal organizations are selective, cautious, and slow moving. There is no short cut.
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