Should the US government issue a travel ban for North Korea?

radcen · Jun 21, 2017

After Warmbier's Death, US Weighs Travel Ban on North Korea

After Warmbier's Death, US Weighs Travel Ban on North Korea | NBC 5 Dallas-Fort Worth

I say 'no'.

1) I am not a fan of travel bans, in general. Part of being supposedly free includes being allowed to do dumb things.

2) We should allow our citizens to travel anywhere they want. Anywhere. Individual citizen travel, not opening businesses. But, issue warnings that if they do travel to certain countries, and something happens, we will make no effort whatsoever to help them. They're on their own. (Realistically, with some countries, there's nothing we can do, even if we want to.)

3) This idea to issue the travel ban is typical government post-tragedy impotent action. Despite all the rhetoric, there was nothing we could have done for Warmbier, and now that he has died, politicians feel the need to appear to be doing something about it. Since there's nothing we can do directly, or that is actually meaningful, we'll institute a travel ban and claim victory. This happens after almost all tragedies, regardless who is in power, and is not a partisan response.

According to the news last night, it is estimated that roughly 1,000 Americans visit North Korea every year. Just adding that for context.

CMPancake · Jun 21, 2017

While my gut reaction would be a resounding "YES" there's more at stake with a North Korea travel ban than just the feel good moral statement from the US. China and NK have a very complicated relationship and instituting a travel ban could potentially stir our relationship with China. That being said, at this point it should be "strongly discouraged" to enter a Communist hellhole like North Korea. I also believe the US would be well within their rights to demand sanctions against North Korea for what they did to Warmbier.

WCH · Jun 21, 2017

If one has a dying need to visit NK, I say GFI.

Praxas · Jun 21, 2017

CMPancake said:
While my gut reaction would be a resounding "YES" there's more at stake with a North Korea travel ban than just the feel good moral statement from the US. China and NK have a very complicated relationship and instituting a travel ban could potentially stir our relationship with China. That being said, at this point it should be "strongly discouraged" to enter a Communist hellhole like North Korea. I also believe the US would be well within their rights to demand sanctions against North Korea for what they did to Warmbier.

It already is "strongly discouraged". From the State department site on travel to NK:

https://travel.state.gov/content/passports/en/alertswarnings/north-korea-travel-warning.html

On that note, no do I support a travel ban, but at the same time I don't blame the US for not being able to do anything about people detained there. This isn't new news that US citizens shouldn't travel to NK and if idiots want to go there, well that's up to them as well as the consequences.

Skeptic Bob · Jun 21, 2017

No. I oppose all travel bans.

Rogue Valley · Jun 21, 2017

The United States issues travel advisories and travel bans to states where the international rule of law is ignored, the threat of terrorism is high, violence persists.

There is no compelling need for any American to voluntarily enter the distorted and unpredictable dictatorship of Kim Jong-un.

radcen · Jun 21, 2017

Rogue Valley said:
The United States issues travel advisories and travel bans to states where the international rule of law is ignored, the threat of terrorism is high, violence persists.

There is no compelling need for any American to voluntarily enter the distorted and unpredictable dictatorship of Kim Jong-un.

I don't believe things like this should be based on "need". My wife and I went on a direction-less road trip to nowhere in particular a few weeks ago. There was really no compelling need, other than we wanted to.

Fenton Lum · Jun 21, 2017

CMPancake said:
While my gut reaction would be a resounding "YES" there's more at stake with a North Korea travel ban than just the feel good moral statement from the US. China and NK have a very complicated relationship and instituting a travel ban could potentially stir our relationship with China. That being said, at this point it should be "strongly discouraged" to enter a Communist hellhole like North Korea. I also believe the US would be well within their rights to demand sanctions against North Korea for what they did to Warmbier.

Perhaps we shouldn't have sold them those reactors two years before we placed them on an "axis of evil" list.

radcen · Jun 21, 2017

I hate the political thetoric... by politicians and individuals... that claim something should have been done sooner for Warmbier. I'm sorry, but that's disingenuous on the part of politicians and naive on the part of individuals.

Do we demand his release? Do we send the "strongly worded letter" of protest to the UN? Seriously, what could have been done?

radcen · Jun 21, 2017

CMPancake said:
While my gut reaction would be a resounding "YES" there's more at stake with a North Korea travel ban than just the feel good moral statement from the US. China and NK have a very complicated relationship and instituting a travel ban could potentially stir our relationship with China. That being said, at this point it should be "strongly discouraged" to enter a Communist hellhole like North Korea. I also believe the US would be well within their rights to demand sanctions against North Korea for what they did to Warmbier.

What's left to sanction?

I agree with everything else you said.

Baralis · Jun 21, 2017

No

Aduquate warning is enough and I also feel this should absolve the US government of any further responsibility. If a citizen ignores the warnings they are without any type of government assistance.

jamesrage · Jun 21, 2017

radcen said:
Should the US government issue a travel ban for North Korea?

I say 'no'.

1) I am not a fan of travel bans, in general. Part of being supposedly free includes being allowed to do dumb things.

2) We should allow our citizens to travel anywhere they want. Anywhere. Individual citizen travel, not opening businesses. But, issue warnings that if they do travel to certain countries, and something happens, we will make no effort whatsoever to help them. They're on their own. (Realistically, with some countries, there's nothing we can do, even if we want to.)

3) This idea to issue the travel ban is typical government post-tragedy impotent action. Despite all the rhetoric, there was nothing we could have done for Warmbier, and now that he has died, politicians feel the need to appear to be doing something about it. Since there's nothing we can do directly, or that is actually meaningful, we'll institute a travel ban and claim victory. This happens after almost all tragedies, regardless who is in power, and is not a partisan response.

According to the news last night, it is estimated that roughly 1,000 Americans visit North Korea every year. Just adding that for context.

We should ban travel to that country. Because any one of those 1000 morons could end up becoming a hostage and possible bargaining chip for that **** hole country that our elected officials waste tax payer dollars and time trying to get back. Telling people that you will be SOL if something happens doesn't work. Because look at the latest moron who came back in a coma and later died. Because I am pretty sure that the airlines, travel agencies, passport people and his family and friends probably told him the dangers and probably told him he was ****ing nuts for wanting to go to that country. Despite all those warnings that moron still went.

Top Cat · Jun 21, 2017

Anyone stupid enough to go there is stupid enough.

Abbazorkzog · Jun 21, 2017

No. People should do some research and take better care of themselves. We don't need a nanny state telling us who can or cannot go where or there...

cuban smokes · Jun 21, 2017

NO, the gubmint should NOT issue any travel ban to any destination

please, allow all of the brain dead that do not think for themselves to go & visit all of these third world Hell holes; they will learn ..............

Deuce · Jun 21, 2017

As a heathen liberal who believes in Darwinian evolution, naturally I have selected no.

jdog21 · Jun 21, 2017

Travel bans would hurt the freedom of richer north koreans to leave that country to come to the united states then ask for asylum and be able to stay. Thats the reason you keep travel open. To help free people from North Korea. We do the same thing with Cubans

Moderate Right · Jun 22, 2017

radcen said:
Should the US government issue a travel ban for North Korea?

I say 'no'.

1) I am not a fan of travel bans, in general. Part of being supposedly free includes being allowed to do dumb things.

2) We should allow our citizens to travel anywhere they want. Anywhere. Individual citizen travel, not opening businesses. But, issue warnings that if they do travel to certain countries, and something happens, we will make no effort whatsoever to help them. They're on their own. (Realistically, with some countries, there's nothing we can do, even if we want to.)

3) This idea to issue the travel ban is typical government post-tragedy impotent action. Despite all the rhetoric, there was nothing we could have done for Warmbier, and now that he has died, politicians feel the need to appear to be doing something about it. Since there's nothing we can do directly, or that is actually meaningful, we'll institute a travel ban and claim victory. This happens after almost all tragedies, regardless who is in power, and is not a partisan response.

According to the news last night, it is estimated that roughly 1,000 Americans visit North Korea every year. Just adding that for context.

I answered yes but, honestly, only a total idiot would want to go to North Korea at this time. A travel ban should not be necessary.

trouble13 · Jun 22, 2017

radcen said:
Should the US government issue a travel ban for North Korea?

I say 'no'.

1) I am not a fan of travel bans, in general. Part of being supposedly free includes being allowed to do dumb things.

2) We should allow our citizens to travel anywhere they want. Anywhere. Individual citizen travel, not opening businesses. But, issue warnings that if they do travel to certain countries, and something happens, we will make no effort whatsoever to help them. They're on their own. (Realistically, with some countries, there's nothing we can do, even if we want to.)

3) This idea to issue the travel ban is typical government post-tragedy impotent action. Despite all the rhetoric, there was nothing we could have done for Warmbier, and now that he has died, politicians feel the need to appear to be doing something about it. Since there's nothing we can do directly, or that is actually meaningful, we'll institute a travel ban and claim victory. This happens after almost all tragedies, regardless who is in power, and is not a partisan response.

According to the news last night, it is estimated that roughly 1,000 Americans visit North Korea every year. Just adding that for context.

I would issue a travel warning but not a ban.

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Should the US government issue a travel ban for North Korea?