Korean Job Discussion Forums

[Underwaterbob]

According to my co-teacher the most beautiful mountain in all of Korea (South and North) can now be driven to from South Korea.

I'm not sure I caught the name of the mountain and I'm not entirely sure this was what my co-teacher intended to say. Does anyone know anything more about this?

I think the mountain's name was 은강산, but an Internet search revealed little.

If this is true I want to go (once it calms down a bit, I'm sure 4.5 million South Koreans will visit in the first weekend).

[RACETRAITOR]

Geumgangsan. How long have you been in Korea?

[Saxiif]

I thought it was only by boat? In any case it's been a massive financial black hole...

[Underwaterbob]

I've been here since late 2004. This is the first I've heard of it. I do live in the boonies though.

He assured me you could get there by car. He made a steering motion in the air despite being actually driving at the time.

[mistermasan]

don't give money to that SOB. ain't nothing there worth paying to keep him in friots for.

[Smee]

It's true: http://english.chosun.com/w21data/html/news/200803/200803070024.html

Maybe it will take some of these tourists getting executed for South Korea to get real about their "brothers and sisters" to the north.

[Underwaterbob]

[Underwaterbob]

[mistermasan]

SOB= the hereditary president of our neighbor to the north.
fritos( a popular american snack food) typo. sorry.

[RACETRAITOR]

I know quite a few people who have gone up there. A Canadian friend of mine got up by bus. Also my in-laws have been a few times. There was a program set up to reunite South Koreans with their North Korean relatives, and my 96-year-old grandmother-in-law got to meet her grandkids. The program was cancelled due to the missile tests.

[DongtanTony]

I've been on the Keumgangsan tour...a little on the pricey side...but totally do-able.

Bus tours have been operating for quite some time. Most travel agents...including Xanadu...have had this tour listed for a while now.

We departed from Shinsaegae Dept store next to the Express Bus Terminal (Express Bus Terminal Station next to Jamwon...line 7 is it??), took a coach bus to an ID processing station to receive your temp visa and ID "necklace."

From there...you continue on your bus to the K Immi office...process through relatively quickly...then you transfer onto a specific Hyundai Tour bus...which you will take through the DMZ to a North Korean immigration tent area. After clearing that...back on your designated bus to the Keumgangsan complex area.

Beautiful tour...we went during Chuseok...and surprisingly enough...it was mobbed...Koreans actually have way more hoops to jump through to get on this tour. Background checks...any family communist sympathizers...they really get their pasts combed through. As an American, we signed up through Xanadu...they sent along the processing information...no problems at all.

Great hotel rooms...great hiking...easy trails...it truly is a gorgeous...and rare opportunity to actually cross into North Korea. You'll encounter troops...but citizens are kept at a distance. Great experience...and if you have a few bucks to blow...highly recommend it.

There's a 2 day/one night package...or a 3 day/2 night package...all of your currency will be US dollars in this complex. They do have an exchange bank inside the complex...no need to exchange before you go. Pretty good rate of exchange too. Prices are high...bibimbap will run you $10.00 USD...as will most meals...Duty free is also on site.

If you'd like any more info...or opinion...feel free to contact me. But as for this tour existing...it's no longer a boat departure...you do take a bus.

[DongtanTony]

http://xanadu.co.kr/eng/pakage/pro_sangse.asp?bunho=71

Here you go!! Our tour did in fact have an English guide...special Chuseok tour...you may or may not get lucky in this aspect.

[casper5]

Maybe this is a silly question, but is there much of a concern for safety for tourists on the Mt. Keumgang tour? Is there much of a chance that the DPRK authorities would want to detain a foreigner and potentially try to exploit that person? I have heard that Japanese and South Koreans have been abducted and brought to North Korea. I am just wanting to get a sense as to how safe it might be to be hiking and sightseeing around Mt. Keumgang.

[DongtanTony]

It's a very controlled environment on two parts.

The Hyundai Tour company has this tour very well organized. There are specific areas you can simply wander around...otherwise, for the hiking excursions...you're loaded on to a bus and you are shipped to your destination. There isn't a single hike that originates from the main complex area.

The North Korean side of things is well defined...green fences are everywhere. The reality of the situation though is that the fences are more for the DPRK citizens than they are for the tourists. Guards are posted at every fence intersection or crossing that the local citizens use...and the only time I saw any type of weaponry was at one of the main gates at night. Otherwise the DPRK soldiers are supposed to seem "non-threatening." Honestly...most of them looked like 16 year old kids.

I felt very safe and very relaxed on this trip. I never had a single exchange with a guard because their posts are so far removed from the main complex area. You won't see any on your actual hikes. It doesn't mean that someone isn't watching...I'd bet video surveillance is pretty tight...but you won't see any guards during your hikes.

I'm actually a full supporter of this tour. The hikes were good...probably the most gorgeous scenery I've seen in Korea...and for the experience to say that you've actually crossed into the DPRK.

I was never worried about abductions...or any interaction with the DPRK guards. It's a safe tour...expensive...but safe.

[nicholas_chiasson]

it is also like writing a check to the most despotic insane govt. on earth.