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Would you ever go to North Korea?
Tether
Posts: 951 Forum Member
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Or have you been?
Say for instance you had the chance to go, would you take it?
I would be fascinated but kinda scared to go and experience a truly once in a lifetime trip.
Say for instance you had the chance to go, would you take it?
I would be fascinated but kinda scared to go and experience a truly once in a lifetime trip.
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Nope.
South Korea on the other hand, yes please.
I can't say I would like to visit - not after reading about the way the people have to live there.
http://www.amazon.co.uk/The-Dark-Tourist-Sightseeing-Destinations/dp/1847398464
http://www.2point6billion.com/news/wp-content/uploads/2011/02/DPRK-Traffic-Girls-3.jpg
You can see women like that much nearer to home, unless the uniform is a big factor.
As for visiting North Korea, not a ******* chance.
Political Rights: 0 / 40
A. Electoral Process: 0 / 12
B. Political Pluralism and Participation: 0 / 16
C. Functioning of Government: 0 / 12
And we're off, a massive 3/60.
Civil Liberties: 3 / 60
D. Freedom of Expression and Belief: 0 / 16
E. Associational and Organizational Rights: 0 / 12
F. Rule of Law: 0 / 16
G. Personal Autonomy and Individual Rights: 3 / 16
https://freedomhouse.org/report/freedom-world/2015/north-korea
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Political Rights: 40 / 40
A. Electoral Process: 12 / 12
B. Political Pluralism and Participation: 16 / 16
C. Functioning of Government: 12 / 12
Civil Liberties: 57 / 60
D. Freedom of Expression and Belief: 15 / 16
E. Associational and Organizational Rights: 12 / 12
F. Rule of Law: 15 / 16
G. Personal Autonomy and Individual Rights: 15 / 16
https://freedomhouse.org/report/freedom-world/2015/united-kingdom
Tough choice. : rolleyes :
...but still no.
True but that's the one reason I'd go there for, no others.
I think you're sort of missing the point.
Exactly the reason I'd go there is because it is one of the most oppressive and censored nations in the world. There's virtually nowhere else on planet Earth you can see such madness. I suppose it's the same reason people visit Auschwitz, for example. We feel the need to see such grounding/humbling spectacles, even if they are tremendously depressing.
I suppose Cuba, and possibly places like Iran are broadly similar to NK in a number of ways - but even they are like bastions of freedom compared to North Korea. I'll grant you Cuba and Iran are a lot more beautiful in terms of weather and scenery.
I've been to Cuba (before things started to change recently) and that was fascinating, but North Korea would be much more so. I have looked into it before now, to see how difficult it would be to go but there are companies who specialise in trips to North Korea.
http://www.koryogroup.com/travel_tours.php
Also, there are plenty of reviews for Pyongyang hotels on Tripadvisor which make an interesting read!
I would find it very hard to play along with all the pro-Kim anti-Western propaganda, like being forced to visit the USS Pueblo and lay flowers in front of those giant bronze statues; you don't have any sort of choice in what you see or do during these organised tours.
I'd also find it heartbreaking not being able to talk to the locals besides the tour guides; I teach a lot of (South) Koreans and they're delightful people, and why not go on holiday to meet the natives?
However all of that is kind of morbidly part of the reason I want to go; because it's just not like any other civilisation on earth and not like any other kind of 'holiday' you'd have again. Those old Russian planes which take you over the border from China, the empty streets, the patriotic music piped through Pyongyang, the metro system which is allegedly populated by 'actors' a la 'Truman Show' for the benefit of foreigners....it's amazingly eerie and mindblowing.
A bit worried about what I'd eat there but I think they like kimchi as much as the Southerners so I'd be in my element with that.