North Korea - Noord-Korea

North Korea (officially Democratic People's Republic of Korea or DPRK) [1] is a country in EastAsia. It occupies the northern half of the Korean Peninsula, which lies between Korea Bay and the Japanese Sea. It borders to the north China and Russia and to the south South Korea.

Info

Tourist trips to North Korea are only possible with the presence of North Korean guides. The options in travel are limited. Individual travel as a tourist is permitted accompanied by two state-appointed guides. If you object to limited freedom during your trip and the continuous presence of your guides, it is better not to travel to North Korea. On the other hand, a trip to one of the last remaining communist states in the world is truly a unique experience, as only a few thousand tourists a year travel to North Korea.

You need to book your entire travel program in advance. In the Netherlands this is possible at travel organization Your Planet. Via the website www.jouwnoordkoreareis.nl [2] you can compose your own individual trip or opt for a group trip.

History

Until 1910, Korea was a kingdom and later an empire. In 1910, Korea was annexed by Japan and Japan introduced a reign of terror in which the Koreans were suppressed. For example, Korean and the native Hangul script were banned and education was given exclusively in Japanese. This came to an end when Japan capitulated at the end of World War II. Both communist Soviet troops and capitalist Western, mainly American, troops were stationed in Korea. The Korean peninsula was divided into two parts with the 38th parallel as the border. North Korea became the domain of the communists with the support of the Soviet Union, led by Kim Il Sung, South Korea became the domain of the capitalists with the support of the United States, led by Rhee Syng Man. Several attempts at a reunification of the two Koreas failed. In 1950 a civil war broke out between the communists and the capitalists. More than 3 million Koreans were killed. In 1953 there was a cease-fire and the border between the two countries was again at the 38th parallel. The two Koreas have still not signed a peace agreement and are officially still at war.

Since then, North Korea, unlike South Korea, has become a totalitarian communist dictatorship. Kim Il Sung continued to rule until his death in 1994, now he is the Eternal President even after his death. Although the propaganda suggests otherwise, after the fall of the Soviet Union and communism, the country fell into a severe economic decline, leading to severe famines and a population living in poverty. Today, North Korea is one of the most isolated countries in the world and has few allies, the most notable of which is China.

climate

The climate is temperate with rainfall mainly in summer. Late spring droughts are often followed by severe flooding. There are often tornadoes in early fall. The winters on the Korean peninsula are often harsh by Dutch standards. Despite this capricious climate, the south of North Korea is suitable for growing rice.

Landscape

Mainly hills and mountains separated by deep, narrow valleys.

Population

The vast majority of the population in North Korea is ethnically Korean. The several hundred foreigners are mostly tourists. Due to the lack of immigration, North Korea is one of the most ethnically homogeneous countries in the world.

Art & culture

In North Korea, daily life revolves around Kim Il Sung, his son Kim Jong Il and his grandson (and current leader) Kim Jong Un. They enjoy a great deal of status and personality glorification. Statues and propaganda slogans can be seen virtually all over the country, but mainly in Pyongyang. All art and culture is regulated by the state. Communism, especially Kim Il Sung's version that later evolved into the Juche idea, is seen as the only correct form of government. The propaganda is anti-capitalist, but above all anti-American. North Korea has no freedom of the press and state television is the only source of information for the people. North Korea is known for its mass gatherings and military parades. A good example is the Mass Games, in which about a hundred thousand North Koreans participate every year.

Holidays

• February 16 - Kim Jong Il .'s birthday
• April 15 – Kim Il Sung's birthday, the most important day of the year in North Korea.
• August 15 – Liberation Day, the day Japan capitulated.
• September 9 - Independence Day, the foundation of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea.

Regions

Towns

• Pyongyang - the capital
• Chongjin — industrial city in the northeast, rarely visited by tourists
• Hamhŭng — one of the largest industrial cities
• kaesong — ancient capital during the Goryeo Dynasty
• Nampo — industrial center and port city on the west coast
• Rason
• Sinuiju
• Tanchon
• Wonsan — port city on the east coast, rarely visited by tourists

Other destinations

• Kumgangsan - the scenic Diamond Mountains, accessible by tours from the south
• Myohyangsan - the Mysterious Fragrant Mountain is one of North Korea's best hiking spots
• Paektusan - the highest mountain in Korea and the mythical birthplace of the Kimdinastie
• panmunjom - the last Cold War outpost in the DMZ (Demilitarized Zone) between the south and the north

Arrive

Passport & visa info

Only a handful of organizations offer trips to North Korea. In the Netherlands, travel organizations are Your Planet [3], Tiara Tours and KoningAap the most famous of these. All tours are ultimately organized by the state-owned company. North Korea requires a visa, which you only get when you have booked and paid for a tour that has been officially approved by the North Korean government. People with a South Korean passport cannot enter the country, restrictions apply to Americans. Difficulties can sometimes arise with a Japanese or British passport. There is no known case of people with a Dutch or Belgian passport who have had difficulties in North Korea on the basis of their nationality, although the North Korean government is always wary of the presence of tourists within the country's borders. Your passport will be taken by your guide after entering North Korea "for security reasons" and will be returned when you leave the country. There were some places in North Korea that you could visit from South Korea without a visa, such as Panmunjom and kaesong. This is now no longer possible due to the very tense situation between the neighboring countries.

By plane

North Korea's only airline, Air Koryo[4], currently has flights from Beijing scheduled, which depart at 11:30 a.m. every Tuesday and Saturday. Air Koryo also flies from Shenyang in the north-east of China every Wednesday and Saturday, and from Russian Vladivostok every Tuesday morning.

Air Koryo is the only 1-star (worst) airline on Skytrax's list [5] and has been banned from the EU for security reasons. However, there has been only one incident to date that resulted in deaths. Air travel is practically the only way to legally enter North Korea as a Westerner.

By train

Trains run between Pyongyang and Beijing. These tickets, only the 'soft sleeper class', are very scarce, only at the station in Beijing. The question is whether you as a tourist will just be let in via this route and the North Korean authorities must of course give you permission. Trains also sometimes run between Pyongyang and Vladivostok. Tourists are not yet welcome on this train. Only two western tourists have managed to (illegally) enter North Korea this way.

The Dutch travel organization Your Planet is the first travel organization that has succeeded in obtaining permission to carry out a trip in 2013 in which a group will cross the border from Russia to North Korea by train. More information about this trip can be found here: Pioneer trip Russia - North Korea [6]

Travel around

Getting around is a very limited affair in North Korea. You almost always travel in a group with other tourists and with at least two guides from the state. Usually tourists are transported in a van. As a tourist, it is only allowed to do a pre-approved individual tour. During this tour, tourists are also accompanied by a guide from the state. Yournorthkoreareis.nl [7], Tiara Tours, North Korea2GO [8] and King Monkey [9] in the Netherlands these can organize individual tours. However, it will always be a long-term and bureaucratic process to make your own tours in North Korea. Even the walking routes are restricted and strictly regulated by the state. There is no such thing as 'wandering around'.

Language

The guides you will receive on your trip almost all speak English at an at least understandable level. Some also speak other languages, such as French, German or Mandarin. Conversations with the local population are practically impossible due to the language barrier or fear of reprisals from the regime.

To look at

To do

To buy

The North Korean currency is officially the won. In practice, however, tourists pay in the major world currencies, such as the euro, the dollar, the yen or the Chinese renminbi. This is because there is almost no other way for North Korea to obtain fixed-value currency and because the state shops you end up in as a tourist will not accept a North Korean won. Because of this scarcity of foreign currency, it is advisable to take a lot of change with you, paper money of larger values ​​will usually not be exchangeable due to lack of change. While the North Korean won is practically worthless outside state lines, it is strictly prohibited to transport North Korean won in and out of the country!

Cost

In North Korea you will incur little costs. The tours include hotels, transport and meals. Possible costs are snacks and drinks for the journey, a drink at the hotel bar, souvenirs or a tip for your guides. Please note that the price level in the state shops where you are guided as a tourist is just as high as in Western countries. Your guides will not allow you to visit a shop for the ordinary North Korean people. Souvenirs consist mainly of propaganda, such as translated books by Kim Il Sung about Juche and figurines of North Korean tanks. Provided you don't gamble money in the hotel, 200 euros for a week should be enough to buy the necessary.

Food

Although there is a lot of poverty in North Korea, which means there is a lot of food shortage, the tourist is not bothered by this. Your guide will order all your food for you. Vegetarians and people with special diets will also be taken into account. A visit to a local restaurant is often not possible, but sometimes the guide may allow it. Be aware that food is scarce in North Korea and the food in such a restaurant is not of a good quality, although it is much better food than what the average North Korean eats on a daily basis.

Going out

Drinking is also no problem as a tourist. Local alcohol is cheap, although it is clearly not appreciated when you get drunk as a tourist. It is important to continue to show respect and abide by the rules. As for water, it is advisable to drink only spring water, as in many developing countries.

stay overnight

In North Korea you spend a relatively large amount of time in your hotel, since you are usually not allowed to be outside the hotel after sunset. You may only stay in hotels that are specifically designated for tourists. Prices of a hotel stay vary between 70 and 200 US dollars per night.

To learn

To work

Safety

You will not be bothered by crime as a tourist, as you are strictly separated from the normal population of the country. The best way to control your own safety is to show respect for the country and your guides. We pay a lot of attention to what you do and what you say. Photos you take will also be monitored. When photographing things that will cast a bad light on North Korea, your guides will ask you to remove the photos from your camera. You are also officially not allowed to leave the hotel on your own, although permission is sometimes given for this. As long as you do not seek contact with the population and you keep quiet, little can go wrong.

Health

Healthcare in North Korea is very underdeveloped, although the government shows otherwise. If you get sick on your trip, you will most likely be taken to China for medical help.

respect

It is important to know that Kim Il Sung, Kim Jong-Il and Kim Jong Un are very important to North Korean society. Tourists are not supposed to attribute that same devotion to the Great Leaders, as the Juche system is not intended for foreigners. However, offensive comments about the Great Leaders or North Korea are illegal and punishable. The guides already know what the rest of the world thinks about their country, so there's no need to emphasize these things. Remain respectful of your guides. This can even make them a bit smoother and show you places, for example, that are rarely shown to tourists. A small gift for the guide is certainly appreciated. Tourists are usually also asked to bow and lay flowers for Kim Il Sung when visiting a very important statue or effigy of Kim Il Sung, out of respect. If you are not willing to do this, it is not wise to go to North Korea. Stay out of trouble as a tourist. Every little thing can make the visitation rules for subsequent groups of tourists even stricter, or that tourism is temporarily completely banned in North Korea.

Contact

Cell phone use is not allowed in North Korea. When you enter North Korea, you must hand in your mobile phone to the security of the airport, where you will receive it back on departure. Also, the internet is practically impossible to find in North Korea. You can ask permission to use it in the hotel. If this is present in the hotel, the use will probably also be strictly limited and censored or you will be closely monitored.

This is a usable article. It contains information on how to get there, as well as the main attractions, nightlife and hotels. An adventurous person could use this article, but dive in and expand it!

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