Korean Job Discussion Forums

Manner of Speaking · Joined: 09 Jan 2003

How was it? I'm booked for February.

MOS

Mr. Pink · Joined: 21 Oct 2003 Location: China

I did it. They were bitchy about taking pictures into N. Korea from certain spots.

Over all not tooo bad, except the BS you can only take pictures at certain spots.

Kind of boring when having lunch at the nearby camp.

If you want pics, suggest have a zoom lens and be sneaky about your pictures Twisted Evil

Bunty Ponting · Joined: 02 Apr 2003 Location: Coughing Up A Lung

I went on the DMZ tour last June and I really enjoyed it. My friend booked it through the USO (I think those are the right letters) office and I wasn't really keen, I mean, we had to get up early and stuff! But, I totally enjoyed it and would recommend it to anyone.

I managed to get a good photo of 'Propaganda Village' in North Korea with it's "world's largest flag". Also, going into the meeting room where the table divides north and south was a highlight... I have a photo of me in north korea! They were a bit weird about when and where you can take photos but it all adds to the drama!

Hope this helps
Bunty.

waterbaby · Joined: 01 Feb 2003 Location: Baking Gord a Cheescake pie

It was great. I did one last September. It was especially nice to be on a crowded bus with mostly military folk who were so damned polite when it came to getting of the bus... no elbows and plastic bags whacking everyone seated in the head while pushing down the aisle for pole position Very Happy

"after you ma'am"... *sigh*

Harpeau · Joined: 01 Feb 2003 Location: Coquitlam, BC

I went many years ago. Do note that there is a certain dress code that must be followed. I really enjoyed it. Seeing N. Korean soldiers with weapons made it very stark. Added clearity to the whole standoff on the penninsula.

Also, I thought that the tour guides were very helpful.
Have fun!
Harpeau

jaebea · Joined: 21 Sep 2003 Location: SYD

I read an article somewhere, off a link of a blog of someone here perhaps.

The dress code in South Korea is paradoxically more stringient than the one imposed on visitors to the DMZ from North Korea.

I think shorts, jeans and t-shirts are not allowed to preserve the dignity of the UN or something.

Whatever.

:)

jae.

kangnamdragon · Joined: 17 Jan 2003 Location: Kangnam, Seoul, Korea

I went about 6 years ago and enjoyed it. There is a REASON we cannot take photos of the North Koreans. WE ARE AT WAR! Shooting them with cameras could look like spying. We also weren't allowed to point.

Make sure you go with the USO and not a Korean company.

crazylemongirl · Joined: 23 Mar 2003 Location: almost there...

yeah there is a Dress code so that we can't be used as a propoganda by the north.

But I had a good day. It's a great a escape from korea, and you don't even have to leave the country (well I did venture 1m over the MDC).

Plus you get to learn stuff. A hint: try and wear something that has pockets as your not allowed to bring a bag with you. And you may not feel to comfortable leaving your passport etc. lying in a bus.

ratslash · Joined: 08 May 2003

it was excellent. thoroughly enjoyed myself.

Juggertha · Joined: 27 May 2003 Location: Anyang, Korea

Did I hear right that Korean citizens can't take the tour?

Bulsajo · Joined: 16 Jan 2003

I've been three times, but by far the best time was when somone asked our guide why we couldn't point and he replied "Because the North Koreans could take a picture of you with a zoom lense and digitally edit the picture to make it look like a picture with you and Kim Jong Il standing together with your arm around his shoulder." He said this totally deadpan without even the hint of a smirk- the perfect straightman.

Bulsajo · Joined: 16 Jan 2003

RedRob · Joined: 07 Jul 2003 Location: Narnia

I did it in 2000, and thought it was cool. I saw a bunch of Korean black eagles they were freakin' HUGE, got a few pics of 'em. Photos aren't a problem, just be discrete.

There's a south african bird-watching fan who posts here- his name escapes me, but if you PM him he may be able to fill you in on some of the wildlife to be seen, and make it a more complete experience.

Anybody help me with this guy's name?

RedRob · Joined: 07 Jul 2003 Location: Narnia

I thinks the dude's name is Rapier.

Tiger Beer · Joined: 07 Feb 2003

I went on the tour as well. It was alright.

hopped on the bus and heard a few things about how it was the Americans that had this long-standing stand-off with North Korea. (South Korea was uninvolved somehow).

Went to some tourist place twice (once there and once on the back) to see if I wanted to buy any touristic stuff). Lingered around both time for about 30 minutes and enjoyed a Coke while watching people actually buying up the stuff.

The DMZ itself was pretty cool though. Got to see some North Korean soldiers and such.. the 'stance' of their stare and 'in position' just in case an attack was suddenly launched. Got to stand on the South Korean side and look at the North Koreans viewing back from a distance. Tried to use my telescopic hearing and it appears they were checking out the blond girls and if there was enough of them to make an international incident happen and raid the tourists. Apparently not quite enough that time.

There is a dress code.. button-up shirt i believe.. and nice shoes and such.. if you for some reason can't follow it.. you can either rent or borrow one at the last second.. my friend had this situation and he had to wear some plaid pants with brown checkers along with some green checkered button up shirt. Pretty snazzy.