Korean Job Discussion Forums

[VanIslander]

[jinju]

Nice. So you are basically forking over cash so that KJI can profit? Its a repressive regime that kills, starves, tortures its people and you are going to give them money?

[coldstream1]

I was in North Korea for a week at the beginning of May. It was the first time I've ever travelled on an organized tour, and all things considered, the tour bus experience was not as bad as I had imagined. Without a doubt you are only shown what the regime wants you to see, but I was actually surprised with how much freedom we were given to wander, interact with the local people, and take photos at will. The propaganda from our guides was also dialed down a lot more than I had anticipated.

As far as the "tourist vs. traveler" debate, putting the inherent arrogance of that dichotomy aside, ultimately it is up to each traveler to weigh the pros and cons of the ethical dilemma of visiting countries like the DPRK, and make a decision for themselves. The group of people on my tour were anything but your typical "tourists" ��lets face it, nobody chooses to visit North Korea because of the posh luxury of their five star resorts! The week was an eye-popping experience that confirmed many of my pre-exisitng beliefs about the country, but shattered just as many others.

On balance, I recommend the experience. There are certain rules and parameters that go along with a visit ��I was never fully comfortable with that, but did decide I was willing to accept it in exchange for the experience. I completing understand someone making a different decision.

If anyone is interested, you can check out my pictures from the trip by clicking here: http://www.flickr.com/photos/bryanh/sets/72157594159120851/

[Kwai_Chang_Kain]

Those are some amazing photos. Where did you book your tour from? I'm very much interested in going on one. Thanks for sharing!

[just because]

I am sure going to Guemgangsan will be a lovely trip but it is about as North korean as Seoul is.....

It is just a special tourist extension of South korea....witha few added rules

Now if you are going to pyeongyang, that would be interesting

[Lizara]

So was anyone here on the first tour? how was it?

[Carole Anne]

I was. It was amazing. Of course there were rules, and shedules, but there were things they couldn't control like what we saw of the towns and farms while on the bus. Also, the guards were everywhere. They put up a red flag and whistle if you break a rule. At one point some people were taking pics in an area they weren't supposed to and about 5-6 guards came running from every direction. These were the ones that we couldn't see of course. There is a sense of being watched, but the area is absolutely breath taking. If you are thinking of going, just do it. It costs alot, it is controlled, but I am so glad I did. It really opens your eyes and helps you to remember, these countries are still at war.

[ilovebdt]

[trevorcollins]

Sounds like an awesome trip. A great adventure.
The moralists need to get off their high horses (a long step down for some of them) and perhaps think about human rights abuses that happen in virtually every Asian country.
I'm sure the same hippocrites will happily sit on a beach in Thailand or climb the Great Wall and turn a blind eye to what goes on there.

[endo]

Do you need someone who speaks Korean with you to go on the tour?


Or is there somebody to help out us non-Korean speakers?

[ilovebdt]

[cazador83]

i went on that trip as well and i agree, it was cool! i definitely am now interested in pyeongyang

carol anne and ilovedbt, i'm wondering if i'd recognize you two...

[ilovebdt]

[Dev]

[plato's republic]

So how does one get to Pyongyang? Would be an interesting little trip.