Travel to North Korea
 

I consider of travelling North Korea in Feb. But I hesitate to travel NK because of a few reasons. At first, NK tested Nuke recently, isn't it dangerous to go to such country? Also I worried about radioactive contamination. Secondly, I heard that some foreigners including U.S citizens were detained in NK for a long time.

Is it ok to travel to North Korea?

That would be the last place I would go to. Also what are the restrictions for US citizens to go there? In addition as we have no diplomatic ties to them you would be helpless if they decided to detain you and they could do so easily. Why would you want to go there in the first place?

I have looked into travel there. I'm waffling on the idea for what I perceive to be ethical reasons. That's a question only you can for yourself.

The Americans who've been detained in NK were accused of doing "other things." You would be on a tour, a highly structured tour. (There's no other way an American can legally visit.) As long as you don't violate the terms of the tour, (in other words, going off on your own, taking photos of things you're not supposed to, "spreading Western propaganda or religion," working as a journalist), you should be okay.

A few Western tour operators are permitted to take groups, including Americans, to NK. Koryo Tours is one of the best known. The owners are British, and the company is based in Beijing, from where all tours depart.

Independent travel is not permitted.

And any money spent goes to their govt. Need more be said.,

Couldn't agree more with jacket watch' comments. We did a tour from Seoul to the Demilitarised Zone that was enough for me.
http://accidentalnomads.com/2015/07/...ized-zone-dmz/

Not for nothing did Bill Clinton describe it as "the scariest place on earth".

You have pretty much answered your own question jina.

When I saw the title of the thread, I thought the North Korean spammers were back! I'm glad to see it is a genuine travel question.

I've read a couple of accounts by people who have traveled to North Korea. Nothing I read makes me want to go there.

Wow! Great link and narrative Crellston. I hope someday we can see that. It seems you won't forget that experience.

North Korea has a well known policy of three generations of punishment so if you are convicted of a crime vs. the state real or trumped up you, your children and grandchildren will live your lives in prison camps.

Food shortages are a chronic problem and some who have escaped to freedom have said that grass has to sometimes be eaten. I also read that the previous premier and father of the current premier spent over 200 k on himself for cognac!
Just know this before you decide to go.

JM2C.

Crellston: We have about 13 hrs. in Seoul in March for a connection back home. Is seeing the DMZ possible in that time fram.? We arrive to ICN at about 0615 and depart 2020 the same day.

Thank you.

I think it might be possible, but only just! Here is a link to the various tour options which depart/ return at various times. Difficult to see which would provide some margin of safety for your ongoing connection.

http://www.koridoor.co.kr/bbs/board....fo&sca=JSA/DMZ

Our tour was run with military precision ( not surprising as much of it was actually run by the military!)

It takes around 45 mins from Incheon into Seoul station in the centre of the city and the same to return. You would then need to get to get the subway to the Namyuong station nearest to the the JSO Camp
http://www.koridoor.co.kr/01_about/a...?direc=yongsan

If you are not returning to Seoul then a visit to Gyeongbokgung Palace and possible even Bukchon Hanok Village, which is reasonably close by should be possible.
http://accidentalnomads.com/2015/07/12/seoul/#more-1248

Thank you. I have contacted the uso/Korea and will wait too see what they say. Hopefully we have to time to safely squeeze this in.

Cheers, Larry

Well I also contacted the desk of our transit hotel of the day and he said it would not be enough time. We'll see what the USO will say.

Hi jacketwatch. We had limited time in Seoul on ast March and took a 1/2 day DMZ tour. The tour left at about 9:30am from a downtown hotel and returned by 4pm. We weren't sure what to expect, but I highly recommend the whole experience, which included an excellent authentic lunch, gift shopping at the military store and lots of time in the JSA area and border area. After researching on tripadvisor, we arranged it online through Veltra. You will have to send copies of your passport in advance. Make sure you include the JSA area.

http://www.veltra.com/en/asia/korea/ctg/110790:DMZ/

Thank you Crellston. Unfortunately our day to see the DMZ is a Sunday and I think all tours are closed then. However as it turns out In early Dec. 2016 we have the same Asiana flight back to Chicago when we finish another cruise, this one out of Tianjin and finishing in Singapore. We arrive in Seoul at 0615 and leave 2020 and its on a Friday so now that I know what to do I can plan a tour then. I would love to see the DMZ and I'll bookmark that like above.

Best of luck, Larry.

>>When I saw the title of the thread, I thought the North Korean spammers were back! I'm glad to see it is a genuine travel question. <<

There has been some fascinating info posted in response - but looking at the OP's only other contribution, no, I don't think it is a 'genuine' travel question.

http://www.fodors.com/community/asia...angkor-wat.cfm

Interesting observation Janis. This persons first post pretty much slams NK and discourages going to grand panorama at angkor was as any money spent will go to a brutal regime.

Now the question posed by this member 7 mos. later indicates a possible willingness to travel there??? Strange.

There is an article in the NYT today about the museum at Angkor: http://www.nytimes.com/2016/01/26/ar...T.nav=top-news

Thats interesting. You can't deny the art work. it is amazing. However I saw this phrase "Mansudae artists, modern-day masters of Socialist Realism" and immediately thought this is an oxymoron. Nothing gets out of NK officially unless it espouses the views of that regime. I do wonder how other aspects of this "Socialist realism" would be expressed as art if allowed like the poverty, the food shortages and the policy of three generations of punishment to anyone even suspected of a crime against the regime.