Democratic People's Republic of Korea

[amaroo]

Re: Democratic People's Republic of Korea (North Korea)

Wow....Wow. TR's & members that post them IMO - put the FLYER in the "Australian Frequent Flyer" community

What a wonderful read! Thanks.

 

[k3nnis]

Re: Democratic People's Republic of Korea (North Korea)

Thanks for the explanation. Actually can children go to DPRK? Or what is the age restriction?

I assume you mean for tours from the South (as opposed to those form the North, like the one contained in this report).

The Koreans have a useful website in English - Panmunjom , which states a minimum age limit of 11 years for Panmunjom JSA visitors from the South.

When you think about approaching the demarcation line of the Koreas from the South, you should consider three levels of restrictions, as you head north to Panmunjom.
1. Firstly you encounter the CCZ (Civilian Controlled Zone). Access is controlled by the South Koreans, and mostly just amounts to an ID check.
2. Secondly you encounter the DMZ (Demilitarized Zone). Access to this area is controlled by the UN, and you will require prior approval to enter. (Basically need to be booked on a tour.)
3. Thirdly you encounter the JSA (Joint Security Area). Access through the southern section of this area is controlled by the UN, and there are even further entry restrictions in place.

There are different points of interest to see in each of the three zones.

For DMZ tours, you should book with a tour provider well in advance. But note that for tours which include the JSA, availability dates are only finalised about 2 months in advance, and they are on selected days only. (And, tours may be cancelled at a moment's notice, due to training or other military requirements.)

 

[Fantic125]

Re: Democratic People's Republic of Korea (North Korea)

Very interesting TR for me. Have been to South Korea numerous times and have been told lots of stories about the North.

Even though (as you acknowledge) there was some degree of propaganda it's still fascinating to see the similarities and differences between the two.

 

[ermen]

Re: Democratic People's Republic of Korea (North Korea)

Thanks for the explanation. Actually can children go to DPRK? Or what is the age restriction?

No restriction that I am aware of. We had a boy in our tour who was around 7 or 8 and was also able to go to the DMZ without any problems as well. I guess chances of meeting a recalcitrant soldier at the DMZ is quite low coming from the North!

My experience was actually quite different from dk4's. Basically they just bussed you all the way to the DMZ. No overt checkpoints - probably because all controlled by the DPRK!

 

[ermen]

Re: Democratic People's Republic of Korea (North Korea)

We visited that exact same school and saw the same performance by, I think, the same children!

Now that's spooky!

You mentioned that you went during winter / or just after (different countryside landscape). What made you choose to go then?

 

[etops1]

Re: Democratic People's Republic of Korea (North Korea)

Now that's spooky!

You mentioned that you went during winter / or just after (different countryside landscape). What made you choose to go then?

I was "in the area" at the time. If I had the opportunity I'd definitely time the visit with the mass games.
The school is the "June 9th" secondary school so named as it was the date Kim Jong-Il visited it. Many buildings/institutions are named in this fashion.


Iirc, we visited on a non-school day. The kids came in and performed for us anyway.


Like most buildings it was unheated and the temperature must have been near zero. They also continued playing and waving until we left the building. Most of our group were doubtlessly impressed by the talent but saddened somewhat by the whole spectre of it.

 

[etops1]

Re: Democratic People's Republic of Korea (North Korea)

A few more pics to hand:

Pyongyang from the hotel. The Taedong river is frozen over


Looking south from the top of the Juche Tower


The pavement was cold enough to sled down


The freeway south to Kaesong and DMZ. The lack of cars make it eerily quiet and idiots are able to stand in the middle of it quite comfortably


On the train to Dandong. Machinery and the fuel to run it is in short supply

 

[etops1]

Re: Democratic People's Republic of Korea (North Korea)

These are from Mt. Myohyang which was pretty interesting to visit and to get out of the capital. I recall the road there was very bumpy, god knows what it is like now.

The international friendship exhibition where the 210,000+ gifts for Kim Il-Sung are housed. It is organised by gifting country, the USA cabinet has about six items, the Australian cabinet about the same including rocks from a mining company and something from the Fraser government. There is a separate building for his son which famously houses a basketball signed by Michael Jordan. The interior is all marble, you must put on fabric overshoes to avoid scuff marks. No photos are allowed.



Hiking in the surrounding hills


A revolutionary piece of carving


The road back to Pyongyang. There are checkpoints along the way. No one from outside the capital is allowed in without the correct papers

 

[etops1]

Re: Democratic People's Republic of Korea (North Korea)

And finally some pictures of the bird we flew in on from PEK to FNJ

Leaving from a terminal that's not Terminal 3. Air China staff processed the check-in and the boarding pass is on CA stock


Simple but effective livery


Clean interior. You can watch the safety video here: Air Koryo Inflight Video Intro - YouTube


Superb catering for a <2 hour flight. Complimentary Pyongyang Times also provided. Invariably the front page carries a picture of one of the Kims. Pictures of them are as venerated as the person, you must not fold the newspaper over their face or otherwise desecrate the image. A previous tourist threw his copy in the hotel room bin; he was made to write a full letter of apology.


Smooth flight on the new Tu204. We did need the entire runway length to stop. A barren wasteland surrounds the airport. As a companion remarked on landing, "Welcome to the moon"

 

[TheEmu]

Re: Democratic People's Republic of Korea (North Korea)

Great photos: thanks for sharing them.
Welcome to the moon, indeed - man that looks cold!

 

[robd]

Re: Democratic People's Republic of Korea (North Korea)

Thanks for posting this report. A very interesting read.

 

[scooby]

Re: Democratic People's Republic of Korea (North Korea)

thank you very much for such an amazing trip report.

 

[Paddy55]

Re: Democratic People's Republic of Korea (North Korea)

Just discovered this TR and have to say it really opened my eyes.

Really appreciate the effort you put in to the TR!