US student Otto Frederick Warmbier, who was arrested for committing hostile acts against North Korea, speaks at a press conference in Pyongyang. Picture: AFP/KCNA

And even after their customer died following a 17-month stint behind bars in the rogue state, the tour guide’s site still says that “North Korea is probably one of the safest places on Earth to visit”.

Mr Warmbier, a 22-year-old University of Virginia honours student, died on Monday, days after he was released back to the US from North Korea. He spent more than a year of his detention in a coma after sustaining a catastrophic brain injury following his conviction for committing a “hostile act” against the country.

American student Otto Warmbier cries while speaking to reporters in Pyongyang, North Korea. Picture: Korean Central News Agency/Korea News Service via APSource:AP

Now, attention has focused on the budget tour operator that brought Mr Warmbier to the country in the first place — Young Pioneer Tours.

The China-based company announced on Monday that it would no longer accept Americans on its tours, due to the high risk to those travellers, as it faces claims that its trips have a boozy culture.

A Young Pioneer Tours staff member has been pictured on Instagram swigging alcohol, amid touristy shots inside North Korea.

One picture was posted just a few days after Mr Warmbier was arrested in 2016.

British traveller Adam Pitt told US site ConsumerAffairs that a Young Pioneer Tours staff member and their tour group drank heavily during his trip with the company in 2013.

Mr Pitt said that when the group’s train made it to the border with China, one staff member was “was almost unable to stand and barely understandable when he did speak”.

Young Pioneer Tours spokesman Rowan Beard said the company had a “strong focus on safety” and that customers had “different perceptions” about drinking while in North Korea.

“It seems a vocal minority, many of whom travelled with us years ago, have suddenly decided they have concerns to be shared, but frankly everyone has different perceptions on things like drinking and what concerns it raises,” he told news.com.au.

“On tour, a small minority of customers manage to convince themselves that they could be detained for almost any reason, almost all of which are frankly not cause for concern.

“With the recent tragedy, it’s human nature for some people to overemphasise certain aspects of their experience, but it shouldn’t be forgotten that we have had no other incidents in our years of operating and our reviews speak highly of our professionalism and preparation.”

While US citizens are no longer permitted, Australians are still able to take advantage of the company’s small guided tours, which start at 445 euros ($A654) for a three-day stay.

“The risks of travelling to North Korea has not changed for Australians, although politically our relationship with North Korea has not been going well recently,” Mr Beard said.

The Australian Government officially advises Australians to “reconsider their need to travel” to North Korea, citing the danger of the country’s nuclear and ballistic missile tests “further aggravating the already tense situation on the [Korean] Peninsula”.

Visitors look through binoculars towards North Korea at the Odusan observatory, near the Demilitarised Zone (DMZ) separating North and South Korea. Picture: AFP/Ed JonesSource:AFP

“Foreign visitors have been subject to arbitrary arrest and long-term detention,” the Department of Foreign Affairs’ Smartraveller website advises.

“Foreigners may be arrested, detained or expelled for activities that would not be considered crimes in Australia, including unsanctioned religious and political activities, unauthorised travel, or unwarranted interaction with local nationals.”

Young Pioneer Tours’ website, however, plays up the fun and adventure that can be found in the hermit kingdom, while downplaying the dangers.

North Korean leader Kim Jong-un attends the 8th Congress of the Korean Children's Union in Pyongyang. Picture: AFP/KCNA via KNS/STRSource:AFP

“Despite what you may hear, for most nationalities, North Korea is probably one of the safest places on Earth to visit provided you follow the laws as provided by our documentation and pre-tour briefings,” the site reads.

“North Koreans are friendly and accommodating, if you let them into your world and avoid insulting their beliefs or ideology.”

The site notes, however, that “consequences can be severe” if tourists violate the “extremely strict lèse-majesté laws”, which punish those who insult the country or its leader, Kim Jong-un.

Otto Warmbier pictured in a group photo for the National Merit Scholarship semi-finalists.Source:Supplied

It is these laws that Mr Warmbier fell foul of at the end of his five-day trip with Young Pioneer Tours.

He was arrested in January 2016 at the Pyongyang airport after being accused trying to steal a propaganda poster.

His family say he was coerced into giving a tearful confession, which was broadcast worldwide.

American student Otto Warmbier is escorted at the Supreme Court in Pyongyang, North Korea. Picture:AP Photo/Jon Chol JinSource:AP

At the time of his arrest, Young Pioneer Tours leader Charlotte Guttridge told Reuters that the incident that sparked his arrest happened away from the rest of the tour group.

“What happened, happened at the hotel and my belief is that Otto kept it to himself out of hope it might go unnoticed,” she said.

Young Pioneer Tours founder Gareth Johnson said at the time that he stayed behind in Pyongyang when he found out Mr Warmbier had been detained.

“It was an automatic response. I wanted to try and work out what the situation was and it was my hope that I would at least be able to speak with him,” he told Reuters.

Despite the suggestion of the company’s boozy culture, 96 per cent of the 511 customers who left a review on TripAdvisor gave Young Pioneer Tours an “excellent” rating.

“YPT tours to North Korea was a fantastic and unique experience. The tour guides are organised and professional and provide an opportunity to go to one of the least visited places with ease. Highly recommend!!” Patrick K wrote a month ago in a typical review.

YPT spokesman Rowan Beard emphasised the company’s good safety record.

“We have taken more than 8000 people to North Korea with only one incident,” he told news.com.au.

“One TripAdvisor we have over 500 reviews, a five-star rating and a certificate of excellence.

“This would be impossible if we didn’t have a strong focus on safety and preparing our customers for their tours.

“We brief our tourists well — both through documentation and at our meetings in Beijing, so they understand what types of behaviour could create problems and how to avoid contravening the law.”

Meanwhile, pressure is growing on US President Donald Trump to punish North Korea over Mr Warmbier’s death.

One move under consideration, according to The Wall Street Journal, is to ban American tourists from visiting North Korea, which welcomes about 5000 Western visitors each year.

Mr Trump has called the death of Mr Warmbier a “total disgrace” but stopped short of accusing the reclusive nation of “murder”, which Republican senators John McCain and Marco Rubio have done.