How a Kenyan Man Accidentally Ended Up in North Korea, Becoming the First Known Kenyan to Visit
Share
Daniel Olomae Ole Sapit is the first known Kenyan man to set foot in North Korea, a distinction he earned after an unexpected travel mix-up sent him to Pyongyang instead of his intended destination in South Korea.
Sapit, a Kenyan Maasai environmental professional, was travelling to South Korea in 2014 to attend a United Nations biodiversity conference when a booking error reportedly confused Pyeongchang with Pyongyang.
However, what was supposed to be an ordinary international trip quickly turned into an extraordinary journey into one of the world’s most isolated countries.
Daniel Sapit: A Flight to the Wrong Korea Ends in Pyongyang
Daniel Sapit was scheduled to travel to Pyeongchang, a South Korean city that would later host the 2018 Winter Olympics, but his journey took him to Pyongyang, the capital of North Korea.
Even though the two destinations have similarly sounding names, they are separated by a heavily militarised border and belong to countries with dramatically different political systems.
According to reports, the Maasai only realised he was heading to the wrong destination as the aircraft approached North Korea after he landed at Sunan International Airport.
Also Read: Beyond the Blonde Wig: The Story of Dolly Parton
At the airport, Sapit noticed soldiers and unfamiliar surroundings, confirming that something had gone seriously wrong.
He had entered North Korea without intending to do so and without a North Korean visa.
A photo showing Daniel Olomae Ole Sapit, the first Kenyan to visit North Korea. Photo/ Courtesy.
Detained and Questioned
His unexpected arrival immediately raised concerns among North Korean authorities.
Sapit was detained and questioned for several hours as officials sought to establish why a Kenyan national had arrived in Pyongyang without the required travel documents.
His explanation was simple: he was supposed to be in Pyeongchang, South Korea, and the wrong destination had been entered into his travel itinerary.
Also Read: The Story Behind the Tall Mushroom-Shaped Structure in Donholm and Its Owner
After questioning him, officials accepted that he had entered North Korea because of a genuine travel error rather than an attempt to enter the country deliberately.
He was nevertheless fined US$500, which is Ksh64,700, for entering the country without a visa.
Sapit was subsequently sent back to Beijing, China, from where he rebooked his journey and continued to South Korea.
Therefore, International records identify him as a Kenyan representative involved in indigenous peoples’ and sustainable development initiatives.
His accidental detour into North Korea consequently became an unexpected footnote in both his professional journey and Kenya’s travel history.
Follow our WhatsApp channel for instant news updates.
A photo showing the North Korean city. Photo/ File