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North Korea ​((ko)조선 민주주의 인민 공화국)
Flag
Information
Capital city	Pyongyang
Area	120 540 km²
Population	22 665 000 hab. (2009)
Density	188,03 inhab./km²
Form of State	Single party, family dictatorship, Juche
Other languages	Korean
Change	won (KPW)
Electricity	220 V/50 Hz, European plug
Telephone prefix	850
Internet suffix	.kp
Flow direction	Right-hand drive
Spindle	UTC 9
Location
40 ° 18 ′ 0 ″ N 127 ° 30 ′ 0 ″ E
Official site
Touristic site
edit

The North Korea, its official name Democratic People's Republic of Korea, is a country ofEast Asia, neighbor of the China and some South Korea (the Republic of Korea).

Foreign travelers are accompanied by a guide, an interpreter and a driver during all of their trips organized by specialized agencies such as North Korea Travel. Travel in North Korea are generally carried out in groups, but it is possible to do private tours.

In addition to 100,000 South Koreans, some 3,000 Westerners travel to North Korea : If the desire to discover one of the countries deemed to be the most difficult to access in the world is often the main motivation for visitors, historical sites and natural landscapes offer other assets for increasing tourism than the North Korean authorities seek to develop.

Understand

North Korea is a country marked by a dual Asian culture, steeped in Confucianism and socialism.

Geography

Weather

History

In the aftermath of Japan's surrender on September 2, 1945, Korea was already split in two: Soviets and Americans face each other on the 38^e parallel. Kim Il-Sung, who had led one of the resistance groups to the Japanese occupation, is imposed by the Soviet occupiers as head of the provisional government proclaimed in the north of the country. He then became the general secretary of the Labor Party of Korea, which emerged from the merger of the Communist Party and the New Democratic Party of Korea. In the South, the American military administration organized elections on May 10, 1948, which led to the proclamation of the Republic of Korea the following August 15. After holding at Pyongyang of a conference bringing together organizations from the North and the South in April 1948, legislative elections (organized clandestinely in the South) were held on August 25, 1948. On September 9, 1948, the Supreme People's Assembly proclaimed the Democratic People's Republic of Korea to Pyongyang.

The Korean War (1950-1953) was triggered by North Korea's attack on the South Korea, Kim Il-Sung having persuaded Joseph Stalin, leader of the USSR and Mao Zedong, leader of the People's Republic of China, to support him to forcibly reunite the whole country under his aegis. This war, which results in more than two million deaths, more than half of which in the North, ended with an armistice in 1953, which left the two Koreas separated by a demilitarized zone.

Since then, the country has lived in seclusion, and thus has an architectural and cultural heritage based almost exclusively on State Communism. Although some monuments dating from the time of the Korean Empire are still standing, it is still difficult to access them given the current political situation in the country. The cities are in a Stalinist style, similar to that of the time of the USSR. There are, however, at Pyongyang, the capital, monuments to the glory of the regime such as the statues of Kim Il-Sung and Kim Jong-Il, the two former rulers of the country.

Population

North Koreans live at the pace imposed by the North Korean government. The national clock radio at five in the morning sets the start of the day. The end of the day takes place after leaving the office, not all North Koreans having the opportunity to go out after certain hours. North Korean travel guide says North Korean people tend to go to bed around 10 p.m. [1]. However, it is necessary to remember that, given the political context, it is strictly forbidden for any tourist going to North Korea to interact with any locals.

Holidays and public holidays

To date, only the birthday of the incumbent leader and the anniversary of the Korean Labor Party are known to be the only two public holidays and feast in the country.

Regions

North Korea has nine provinces and five cities with their own administrative status.

Cities

• Pyongyang  – , the capital is home to two international hotels (the Koryo hotel and the Yanggakdo hotel, the latter's price: 170 dollars at night, but significant reductions for groups) which provide all the services of international luxury hotels. Pyongyang is a city where many green spaces have been developed and whose monumental architecture, inspired by the Soviet socialist style, includes many frescoes and monuments to the glory of Korean socialism: metro, Kumsusan memorial palace housing the mortal remains of the president Kim Il-sung, triumphal arch of Kim Il-sung, tower of the Juche idea ... The capital is the point of departure and arrival of tourist circuits in North Korea. (last update Feb. 2018)

Presentation of Pyongyang on the official Naenara website: [2].

• The other main stages of the tourist circuits are:

- the city of Kaesong, former capital of the Korean kingdom of Koryo (918-1392), whose visit is generally coupled with that of the demilitarized zone (at the site of Panmunjeom) Close ;

- the Kumgang Mountains (in Korean: Kumgangsan), in the east of the country, were widely opened to inter-Korean tourism and welcomed the millionth South Korean visitor in the summer of 2005; visitors to the Kumgang Mountains traditionally stay in the port city of Wonsan ;

- at the Sino-Korean border, the Mount Paektu is considered by Koreans to be one of the most beautiful mountains on the peninsula, but is currently only accessible by bus after a journey of more than half a day;

- in the north of Pyongyang, the Myohyang Mountains are home to several of the main Buddhist temples of North Korea, in a landscape of peaks and deep valleys preserved from industrialization;

- in the port region of Nampo, maritime outlet for Pyongyang lies the great dam of the western sea.

Other destinations

Specialized circuits - focused on the discovery of nature, trekking, trips by locomotives ... - are possible, all trips being organized by the official North Korean agency for international travel (link [3]).

Several tour operators offer general or thematic organized trips, some of which specialize in travel in North Korea, such as the Swedish agency Korea Konsult ([4]) and the British agency Koryŏ Tours ([5]).

To go

Formalities

To book your stay in North Korea, it is advisable to contact a specialized tour operator, an embassy (or a general delegation) which provides visa procedures (minimum recommended time: 15 days) or a friendship association. .

Specialized agencies

Agencies specialized in organizing tours in the DPRK:

• Les Loups Voyageurs / Lupine Travel (UK/France)  (last update June 2015)
• Experience North Korea (Shanghai)  (last update Feb. 2018)
• Go & See Korea (Seoul)  (last update Feb. 2018)
• Adventure Korea (Seoul)  (last update Feb. 2018)
• Asia Pacific Travel, Ltd (Chicago)  (last update Feb. 2018)
• Geographic Expeditions (San Francisco)  (last update Feb. 2018)
• Korea Konsult (Stockholm)  (last update Feb. 2018)
• Koryo Group (Beijing)  (last update Feb. 2018)
• PRK Tours (London)  (last update Feb. 2018)
• Reliance Tour World (Malaysia)  (last update Feb. 2018)
• VNC Asia Travel (Netherlands)  (last update Feb. 2018)
• North Korea Travel (China)  (last update Feb. 2018)

Friendship Associations

• General Delegation of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea 3, rue Asseline, 75014 Paris (last update Feb. 2018)
• Franco-Korean Friendship Association (AAFC) 13, rue François-Laurent Gibbon, 92 220 Bagneux, France (last update Feb. 2018)
• Belgian-Korean Friendship Association "Korea is one" , email: [email protected] (last update Feb. 2018)
• Swiss-Korea Committee Lötscher Martin, Korrektor, Mischelistr. 55, 4153 Reinach BL.,   41 61 711 19 95 (last update Feb. 2018)

By plane

The official airline of North Korea is Air Koryo. It provides domestic and international connections.

The international cities connected to Pyongyang are:

- Beijing (China) - 2 weekly flights

- Bangkok (Thailand) - 1 flight

- Khabarovsk (Russia) - 1 flight

- Macau - 1 flight

- Shenyang (China) - 2 flights

- Vladivostok (Russia) - 2 flights

There are also, from time to time, flights to or from Moscow, Tokyo, etc.

Other companies, notably Aeroflot and Air China, organize trips, but on a less regular basis, to or from North Korea.

On a boat

Regular connections are organized by Koreans from Japan, members of the "Chongryon", between the Japanese archipelago and the Korean peninsula, but in principle they do not welcome non-Korean visitors.

Tourist connections between North and South Korea are mainly provided by sea by a Hyundai ferry that disembarks in North Korea at Kosong

By train

The opening of a rail link between the North Korea and the South Korea is planned as part of the inter-Korean rapprochement, but without a precise timetable for passenger traffic. However, the "test" journey of a train carrying 200 Koreans (half of them from the south and half from the north) was to take place on May 25, 2006 but was canceled at the last minute.

In addition to the possibility of reaching North Korea by the Trans-Siberian, rail links, lasting twenty-four hours, are mainly made with the China : the Beijing-Pyongyang train (departure 17 h 25 from Beijing) runs Monday, Wednesday, Thursday and Saturday; the Pyongyang-Beijing link is provided on the same days, at 10 h 10 from Pyongyang.

By the road

Impossible to access by road from the South Korea.

Since 2001 the Korean Motorcycle Federation has been providing rallies to the North Korea (cost in August 2002: 1,000 dollars per driver).

Circulate

If the main cities of Korea are connected to the capital Pyongyang by plane and train, group travel within the country is mainly by bus.

It is impossible for a foreigner to drive a vehicle themselves, even when rented.

Speak

The Korean, official language, spoken in North Korea is identical to that spoken in South Korea, with the notable difference that the terms of foreign origin used in the South have a Korean equivalent in the North: many words of English origin, entered into the vocabulary common in South Korea, do not exist as such in Korea North.

In addition, the Chinese transcription of the characters of the Korean alphabet (Hangeul, in Korean: "the great writing") is only used in the South.

Housing

Western visitors to Pyongyang stay at one of the two international hotels in the capital, Hotel "Koryŏ" or the hotel "Yanggakdo". Unfinished, the"Ryugyong hotel" would have been the tallest tourist hotel in the world.

Buy

The currency of North Korea is the North Korean Won (￦ or KPW),

Korean silks can be purchased both north and south of the peninsula. Payments by foreigners are made exclusively in euros.

Stamps, coins, handicrafts are some of the main items bought by tourists in North Korea.

Badges representing President Kim Il Sung, founder of North Korea, and worn by all adult North Koreans, are not for sale in North Korea.

Eat

Korean cuisine can be sampled in major hotels in the city, as well as restaurants in major cities (including Pyongyang Boat Restaurants No. 1 and 2). Kaesong tours often feature a traditional Korean meal.

Tasting Korean cuisine with a spicy flavor is a unique experience for the palate. High in vitamins and low in calories, Korean dishes use a variety of ingredients such as garlic, chili peppers, leeks, soy sauce, fermented bean paste, ginger, and sesame oil. You cannot leave Korea without tasting kimchi, this fermented and very spicy dish of cabbage; famous today around the world, which accompanies every Korean meal. There are dozens of varieties: fragile stomachs, consume in moderation! European visitors will undoubtedly appreciate galbi and bulgogi better. These two meat dishes, pork or beef, always complement festive meals. Galbi looks a bit like Chinese "chops", and bulgogi consists of strips of meat marinated in a garlic-based sauce and other condiments. These dishes are not very spicy and are cooked over charcoal, on a barbecue in the center of the table. One of the peculiarities of the Korean table is that all the dishes are served at the same time. In the past, the number of side dishes ranged from three for ordinary people to twelve for members of the royal family. The table arrangement differs if the main course consists of noodles or meat. Formal rules have been drawn up for the table, revealing Koreans' attention to food. Another peculiarity, the spoon is used more than in China and Japan, especially for soups.

Dishes

• Jeon (Fried dishes) - Mushrooms, zucchini, fish fillets, oysters or leeks stuffed with minced meat are rolled in flour, dipped in beaten eggs, and then fried in a pan. There are also “pancake” type jeons: mung bean powder, wheat flour or grated potato is used to make a smooth paste, and onion, kimchi, or cut pork. are incorporated, then fried.

• Jjim and Jorim - Jjim and jorim are similar. Meats or fish are boiled over low heat seasoned with soy sauce and other ingredients until everything becomes tender and flavorful. Jjim also relates to a steamed dish.

• Mistletoe (Grill) - Bulgogi (marinated beef cut into thin slices) and galbi (marinated beef ribs) are well-known examples of Gu-i. Fish are also often grilled.

• Jjigae and jeongol (Stew and casseroles) - Less watery and more filling than soup, these dishes can be the main course of a meal. Soybean paste or jjigae stew is very popular. Jeongol is usually cooked in a casserole dish over the fire for dinner. Noodles, pine mushrooms, octopus, tripe and vegetables are the best ingredients for jeongol.

• Hoe (Raw Fish) - Sliced ​​raw fish is gaining popularity around the world. Tuna, plaice, oysters, skate, sea cucumber, abalone, sea urchin, squid are popular in Korea, and beef is also sometimes eaten raw. They are served with sesame leaves or lettuce, and ginger, mustard or red pepper paste sauces provide a harsh or spicy taste. NB: "hoe" is pronounced "hwé."

• Namul (Green or Wild Vegetable Dishes) - Korean diet consists of hundreds of different vegetables and wild green vegetable dishes called namul. A quick tour of a Korean market will show you the variety and diversity of green vegetables that are unusual in Europe. Namul is usually blanched, fried, and seasoned with salt, soy sauce, sesame seeds, sesame oil, garlic, and green onion.

• Jeotgal (Seafood fermented with brine) - Fish, clams, shrimp, oysters, fish roe are popular for making jeotgal. They are very salty. It is a side dish that is eaten with boiled rice, it is sometimes added to kimchi or used to season other foods.

• Juk (Broth) - Sometimes broth is a health fortifier. Pine nuts, kidney beans, pumpkin, abalone, ginseng, chicken, vegetables are good for you, mushrooms and bean sprouts make up most of the ingredients in this very popular broth.

• Guk and tang (Soups and Soups) - The Korean table is never complete without soup. Vegetables, meat, fish and shellfish, seaweed, and even boiled cow bones are used to make guk or tang.

• Bap (Rice) - Boiled rice is an integral and indispensable part of the Korean diet. Barley, beans, chestnuts, millet or other grains are often added to give it a special taste and more nutritional value.

• 김치 Kimchi (Fermented and chili cabbage) - Ingredient: Chinese cabbage (radish, cucumber, etc.), minced radish, chili powder, minced garlic, minced onions, fish brine, salt, etc.

Kimchi is a fermented vegetable dish allowing prolonged storage. In the past, Koreans used to prepare it as a substitute food for fresh vegetables during the winter months. Today, housewives still prepare a large amount of winter kimchi, in late November or early December. This annual event across the country is called the gimjang.

The introduction of red pepper from Europe, by Japan, to XVII^e century brought significant innovation to kimchi and the Korean diet in general. Now there are over 160 different kimchi varieties per region and ingredients. Kimchi is the staple side dish at every Korean meal; it is also an ingredient in other popular dishes such as kimchi stew, kimchi pancakes, rice, and fried kimchi ramyeon (noodles). Kimchi is widely tried in various ways in an effort to create new tastes and flavors. Currently kimchi is gaining popularity around the world for its nutritional value and disease prevention abilities.

It is a food made from cabbage or other vegetables that undergoes fermentation after being stored in salt and then covered with a sauce. There is a wide variety of them: cabbage kimchi, cucumber kimchi, radish kimchi, onion kimchi, etc. Kimchi contains different nutrients: lactic ferments, mineral salts, vitamins.

• 비빔밥 Bibimpap (Rice mixed with a cold assortment of vegetables) - Ingredients: Rice, young fern shoots, campanula roots, soybean sprouts, sliced ​​beef, chili paste, sesame oil, etc ...

It is a rice dish where different vegetables are added and mixed together just before tasting. Its richness in nutrients comes from its diversity in vegetables. Jeonju's bibimpap is the best known.

• 불고기 Bulgogi (Beef marinated in soy sauce) - Ingredients: Beef meat (pork), pear juice, sugar, soybean oil, minced garlic, minced onions, sesame oil, etc.

It is a dish of beef or pork that is finely cut and marinated before cooking.

• 갈비 구이 Galbi Gui (Grilled ribs) - Ingredients: Beef rib (ribs), sugar, soy sauce, minced onions, minced garlic, sesame oil, etc ...

It is a grill of marinated ribs of pork or beef. Galbi's grill from Suwon is the most famous.

• 삼계탕 Samgyetang - Ingredients: A chicken, sticky rice, ginseng, garlic, chestnuts, jujubes, etc ...

it is a small chicken whose inside has been emptied, then stuffed with several ingredients and then boiled.

• 물 냉면 Mul Naengmyeon (Cold buckwheat noodles) - Ingredients: Buckwheat or wheat noodles, meat broth, slice of meat (beef), minced cucumber, minced cabbage, hard-boiled egg, etc.

Mul naengmyeon are noodles cooked in beef broth. This version of naengmyeons is very refreshing however naengmyeon can also be eaten without broth, mixed with chili paste, this version is called “bibim naegmyeon”.

• 해물탕 Haemul Tang (Seafood soup) - Ingredients: Crab, shellfish, shrimp, fish, radish, bean sprouts, chili paste, chili powder, onions, garlic, etc.

It is a soup made by boiling seafood with paste and chili powder. The special feature of this soup is its tangy and refreshing flavor.

• 김치 찌개 Kimchi Jjigae (Kimchi soup) - Ingredients: Kimchi, pork, sesame oil, onions, garlic, etc.

The recipe for jjigae kimchi involves browning pork, then adding water and kimchi to finally boil it all. If the kimchi used is sour, the taste is improved.

• 닭 갈비 Dak galbi (Chicken rib with vegetables) - Ingredients: chicken, chili paste, sweet potatoes, chili powder, barley sugar, sugar, minced garlic, onions, etc.

This is a casserole dish that sautéed marinated chicken. Chuncheon's dak galbi is the most famous.

• 설렁탕 Seollongtang (Beef soup) - Ingredients: rice, beef, beef broth, onions, minced garlic, (chili paste, chili powders at will), pepper, salt, etc.

It is a dish made from beef broth, rice and seasonings. The best thing is to boil the beef for about 10 hours to obtain a consistent broth.

• 갈비탕 Galbi Tang (Soup with beef ribs) - Ingredients: ribs, radishes, onions, garlic, pepper, sesame oil, sesame seed powder, etc.

Soup obtained by boiling radish and ribs. It is ideal to consume this thick broth with rice.

• 죽 Juk (Creamy soup) - Ingredients: various cereals

Very thick soup obtained by boiling cereals for a long time in 6 to 7 times the volume of water. There are many varieties: Sesame juk, pine nut juk, jujube juk, beef juk, pumpkin juk, abalone juk.

Desserts

• Tteok (traditional cake) - Ddeok is a traditional Korean cake made from rice powder. Koreans prepare it for festive occasions such as weddings and birthdays as well as for memorial services to ancestors. They also prepare it for the seasonal occasions for Seollal (Lunar New Year) and Chuseok (Harvest Festival). It is customary for Koreans to prepare ddeok when they move, and distribute a tray to their new neighbors. It constitutes a natural and healthy snack.

• Hanggwa (traditional candy) - Hangwa is valued for its artistic and decorative colors and shapes as well as for its sweet and pleasant taste. Often taken with traditional drinks, it is considered a healthy snack or classic dessert. Pretty baskets or hangwa boxes also make great gifts, especially popular with older people. They are found in stores specializing in traditional cakes and sweets and in some departments of department stores.

• Gangjeong - This light candy is made from sticky rice and honey. It is deep fried and coated with puffed grains of rice, cinnamon and sesame.

• Hwachae (traditional cold drinks) - Traditional cold drinks are called hwachae. They are usually made with fruit or grain juice, and sweetened with sugar or honey, or seasoned and colored with omija (a "five-flavored" fruit from the Chinese Schisandra tree). There are also hwachae made from traditional medicinal herbs, azalea or pine.

• Sikhye - Sikhye is a sweet drink made from rice. Koreans love it so much that it is now found in cans.

• Sujeonggwa - This sweet drink is spiced up with ginger and cinnamon. Softened dry persimmons and pine nuts are added to the glass.

Have a drink / Go out

Although their guides may wish to accompany them, foreign tourists can move around Pyongyang on their own (to be checked). As in South Korea, North Koreans enjoy coffee (Korean: tabang) and are beer and wine lovers. North Korea also produces local wines.

The "Diplomatic club" is Pyongyang's main nightclub, reserved for foreigners. The basement of the Yanggakdo Hotel has a games room and a massage parlor.

There is also another nightclub in Pyongyang, but this one is reserved for leaders of the Korean Labor Party (PTC).

To study

It is impossible to study in North Korea for a Westerner. The country is very closed and extremely suspicious of Westerners.

To work

Communicate

The French-speaking guide and interpreter, who will accompany you throughout your travels, will be your privileged contacts with all the Koreans you meet.

security

North Korea is one of the safest countries in the world, although there have been a few reports of thefts at Pyongyang Airport. As stated above, never criticize Kim Il Sung, Kim Jong Il, Kim Jong Hun, Juche, the party and the people (under penalty of an unfriendly travel time extension ..). Also, avoid clothing, attitudes that may make you think you are from the United States (the North Korean people were bred against the United States)

Government travel advice

• Canada (Government of Canada)  (last updated Apr 2018)
• France (Ministry of Foreign Affairs)  (last updated Apr 2018)
• Swiss (Federal Department of Foreign Affairs)  (last update May 2018)

Health

No vaccine is compulsory.

It is advisable to bring a toiletry bag with the main common drugs, especially against diarrhea.

Respect

When Koreans greet each other, they bow to each other to show respect.

Korean language has several language levels to show respect.

If you take or receive something from an older person, always use both hands. If this is not possible, you can support your right arm with your left hand.

Likewise, when you shake hands with someone you should support your right arm with your left hand.

When you have a drink with someone older, you need to turn your head when it comes time to actually drink from the glass.

A person younger than you will often have a hard time refusing to drink if you offer to drink it. So be careful not to offer more than is reasonable.