The group entered the country through China on their trip to Rason in the far northeast — more than 500 miles from the capital city of Pyongyang, which once occasionally welcomed occasional tourism groups, albeit under strict supervision and no real freedom of movement.

But tourism to North Korea is contentious, especially as travellers have been allowed back before aid workers and most Western diplomats, including the UK's. Critics, including Joanna Hosaniak from the Citizens Alliance for North Korean Human Rights, argue these trips mainly benefit the regime.

Despite efforts to revive tourism, North Korea's image as a risky destination remains, potentially limiting interest from Western tourists.