North Korea

cocodrilo · Joined: 12 Apr 2004 Posts: 494 Location: Western Japan

Has anybody ever made the trip to North Korea? I, along with a couple American buddies who have been living in Japan for a long time, are dying to venture over there. Where else can one experience the last bastion of TRUE communism at its finest? (I am not being facetious.) We get ALL of the news in detail about the goings on over there- the hundreds of abductions that have occurred since the 70's and the truly twisted ways of Kim Jong Il, their wily leader, who has managed, along with his father, Kim Il Song, to brainwash an entire nation! Do some reading on the tourism over there and it will blow your mind(high-rise hotels with no guests, freeways with no cars on them, etc) I thought visiting the former Soviet Union(Baltic States, etc) was a real trip, but I am really motivated to get over to North Korea before Bush nukes it.

steve_irwin · Joined: 23 Feb 2005 Posts: 30

Well I haven't been there yet, but a cousin of mine went as part of a diplomatic entourage (he was the intern/toilet scrubber ;)).

From what I heard North Korea does offer limited hosted tours, mainly of their major regions (most tourists head to Pyongyang). I don't know if American citizens are restricted from going, but if you do, you won't see much poverty or public issues - the tour guides take you only to areas approved by North Korean administration. I suppose if you slip him a bit of money...

However times are changing fast. Despite the American image of the "unchanging fortress", North Korea is actually starting to implement free market reforms due to China's pressure (although don't expect Korea Kola anytime!).

By the way, during your visit to the former Soviet states, did you happen to visit Estonia? Really cheap beer over there ;)

cocodrilo · Joined: 12 Apr 2004 Posts: 494 Location: Western Japan

They have government-operated tours that take you to noteable sightseeing spots, like The Great One's memorial statue(no, not Elvis!), and you are carefully monitored everywhere you go. So much as give a souvenir pen to your guide and he or she will most likely be convicted for collaborating with a spy(namely, you).

Passport and visa are required to enter North Korea. Visas must be arranged prior to arrival in Pyongyang, usually through a tour packager.(The best places to procure N Korean visas are Bangkok & Macau). You must pay for your entire trip before you depart, as you will be part of a government-organized tour. Length of tours vary, but most are for 14 days. You'll need 3 passport photos and US$15 for the visa. By air, you can get to Pyongyang via Beijing on Air China or Air Koryo. Pyongyang is also serviced by Aeroflot. By train, you can enter North Korea from Beijing via Tianjin, Tangshang, Dandong and Shinuiju. I hear Japanese tourists can take a bus from South Korea.

David · Joined: 04 Apr 2004 Posts: 162

There is a wealth of information on the North Korea Zone blog:
http://www.nkzone.org/nkzone/
If you are interested in reading some interesting stuff, check it out.