Korean Job Discussion Forums

[Stalin84]

I'm thinking of doing one of those package tours to North Korea (Pyongyang) next year.

I announced it to some friends and family and I've been getting nothing but flak about it.

The general criticisms I've been getting are:

-The money I pay on the tour (through a British company) funds the government of North Korea.
-If I go there, I support the DPRK.
-They're going to kidnap me and put me in a gulag.
-The Visa they put on my passport will make it impossible to get jobs in government in my home country, especially if the job requires security clearance.
-I'm a disaster pervert.

Etc.

I don't really see a lot of point to these arguments. There are a few, however, that make me want to reconsider going, especially the first and the fourth.

Are there any stock to these? What say you?

Does it make me a monster?

Oh and who here went? How was it?

[Milwaukiedave]

People go for different reasons and I think it's up to you. They did have overland tours to Kaesong until awhile back, but as things have gotten worse between the two countries, those were canceled. Personally if I was going to go, I'd rather do just the day trip.

As for the criticisms:

1) Yes, it is. There's little you can do about it. If that's their opinion, they are entitled to it, but it's your life. If you feel you want to go, then do it.

2) same as 1

3) No, as long as you follow directions and don't take pictures of things you are not suppose to you'll be fine. I know a few people who have gone.

4) This would be my major concern, not because of getting a government job, but because the US government opposes travel to North Korea.

5) Can't address that one.

In the end, it's up to you. I personally am curious about seeing North Korea because my father-in-law is from a village near Kaesong and fought on the South Korea side in the Korean war. I'd prefer to go on a day tour which would likely be cheaper anyway. I'll wait it out and see if they restart tours over land in a few years.

Some people on here will belittle you for choosing to go, ignore them. In the end it's a personal choice.

[madtownhustl]

going on a "guided" tour in North Korea wouldn't be worth it...
and you'll be expected to bow to a huge statue of Kim Il Song.

no thanks...

[partymop]

good on you, I'd love to do that if I had the money. To say it will be a unique experience is a pretty big understatement. This is what I would say to the people back home:

1. My money may be going to the regime, but its too little to make a difference. Even if you add all the tourism revenue the country takes in in a year its gotta be still peanuts. On the other hand, North Koreans see that you are not some demonic psychopath frothing at the mouth and killing babies. This is one of the few ways they have a chance to have contact with outsiders and I think that justifies it.

2. I would be nervous being there too, but people go all the time and there are rarely any big problems. Remember, they think they're educating you and you can't spread the word if you can't get out of there.

3. For the passport thing, check into this, because I heard they dont actually stamp in your passport. Your given like a temporary passport thing, but I've heard it doesn't actually show up in yours. Ask the company about that cuz ya, thats important

do it, I would if I had the money. It would be a trip! good luck

[tanklor1]

[Stalin84]

Thanks for all the encouragement, guys!

I had written a reply earlier but the website ate it so I'll retype it.

I don't see how they would find out about the visa thing. For starters, my passport expires late next year (before I plan on returning to my home country). If I were to simply not show it to any future employers, how would they know I went to North Korea? I'm sure North Korea nor China (where I'm flying through) keeps tabs on who passes through and even if they did, I'm sure they wouldn't share it with our home countries unless there was some INTERPOL search going on.

I did have a few friends have trouble getting government jobs in Canada after teaching in South Korea. They had to have much lengthier background checks.

As for the morality of actually visiting North Korea... I agree with partymop. I mean, yes I'm giving them a little bit of money but on the other hand I'm interacting with them which is the number one thing they need and I'm learning about them which is also, something that could greatly benefit me in that I could share my experience with other people and help people understand the place.

...and the people that give people crap about doing a DPRK tour, well, shouldn't they also give crap to people who go to China? Cambodia? Thailand? Those countries have corrupt governments as well, they're just not batshit like the DPRK's.

[JBomb]

I went there this summer through a North Korean travel company based out of Shenyang. It was one of the wildest, weirdest, and strangest experiences of my life. Some of my friends gave me some shit and asked them what countries made their clothes. You basically can not spend a penny without oppressing someone, or screwing up someone's life. It is the way of the world. Even if it is scripted and you are only shown what they want you to see, they are still seeing you. The more exposure they get of the outside world the better. Also, where on Earth are you going to go and see something like that? Nowhere. It is seriously like stepping out of a time machine.

[thomas pars]

The arguments that going there funds the regime are pretty invalid.

If you felt that way then you wouldn't go to say Israel...or for that matter The States.

Not to argue that either are in any way similar to the DPRK. But that the former have some pretty disgusting domestic and foreign policies.

It could also be argued that tourism would open up the DPRK. Its happend in other countries before.

Usually though if people tell you youre crazy for wanting to do something it usually means you are on the right track.

[crossmr]

[ThingsComeAround]

[chellovek]

How much will it cost you?

[dharma bum]

I'm also curious about cost. How much did your trip run you, JBomb?

[runthegauntlet]

[Stalin84]

[runthegauntlet]