The last American to run in North Korea

North Korea is a no-go zone for Americans - we haven’t been allowed to visit the country since late 2017. I speak to Jay Nunn, who ran the last Pyongyang Marathon before the travel ban.

It was 1st September 2017 when the United States banned its citizens from traveling to North Korea. People from other countries were still welcome to visit as part of a very strictly organized tour, but not Americans. 

Upon the ban being announced, the North Korean government cried foul¹, claiming that it was now clear that the U.S. saw them as an enemy, but what other option was there after Otto Warmbier’s untimely demise? The college student may well have tried to steal a poster, but his descent into an unexplained coma and resultant death is undoubtedly the act of a foe, rather than a friend.

After closing its borders completely in 2020, when COVID-19 began ravaging the world, North Korea started welcoming tourists again in February². Still no Americans. Indeed the Pyongyang Marathon was meant to be held this past Sunday, but was cancelled - probably due to a lack of time to organize the event³.

I spoke to Jay Nunn about running the Pyongyang Marathon in April 2017 - the last one before …