North Korea Photos - April 2012

[saithkar]

As the least open, least visited and least understood country in the world, North Korea is bound to generate many misconceptions, however it seems the most pervasive one is that you can’t actually go there. In reality nothing could be further from the truth. All you do is fill out a visa application, send them some money, and providing you’re not a

Comments

[saithkar]

It's a very interesting place.

While our trains are more modern here in Melbourne, I will concede our underground stations are nowhere near as fancy, nor do they have such bombastic names.

[boomz83]

I must say, I love your posts dude. You take us to a place where we can only wish to see. And dispute the fact its on a screen when we read the education you provide to us its really overwhelming. Thanks for sharing your experience with us.

[saithkar]

No worries, I aim to educate as well as entertain :)

And of course you can go to North Korea if you want, just follow the links to the Young Pioneer Tours website.

[clappamungus]

Absolutely fascinating post. What I wouldn't have given to evade the minders and just observe the goings on without the (clumsy) sheen of propaganda, if I were you.

Too many things to point out, but I'd like to say that some of those horrendously larger-than-life sculptures are either acts of pure genius or the product of a severely hampered mental state. Actually, probably both...

You're very lucky for having had the opportunity to go there. I'm kind of tempted now. A friend of ours is going to be living in CHina for a while; maybe we should make the trip.

[saithkar]

Everyone entertains such notions, but despite the promotion of English lessons, it's doubtful you would get very far with the locals away from the group. In addition the language issue it's also the fact that they are so isolated, most North Koreans would be totally unfamiliar with foreigners so probably those outside the businesses that cater to tourists wouldn't know how to deal with them. Because I of the way I look I attract stares wherever I go, but simply being a foreigner in North Korea makes you an object of curiosity. Not in a rude way, people including soldiers would often spontaneously wave to our minibus and seemed delighted when we waved back, try doing that in New York and see how far you get. Still, except for a few occasions I've highlighted above, this was the closest as we got to interacting with the ordinary Korean people

[ironlord]

Just like Journey Into Kimland, this was simultaneously fascinating and terrifying. Fascinating that you've had the opportunity to go to North Korea in the first place and get some photos out to show us, and terrifying that not only does such a regime still exist anywhere in the world, but also that there are those who think it would be an excellent idea to spread it worldwide.

[saithkar]

It is such an amazing time warp back to the 1980s when you look at most of the cars (only saw one American car, a Jeep, in the time we were there, most are European but saw plenty of old Soviet-era Russian made cars and trucks), the fashions (mostly polyester, the women's jackets and dresses almost all had shoulder-pads and all the colours were muted, black, grey, brown, navy, olive green etc) and of course the atmosphere of omnipresent nuclear terror (encouraged by the regime to justify the deprivation under which most of the populace lives). However the cult of the Kims is straight from the era of Stalin, and because of the way the Korean War didn't end, it's eternally 1953 in North Korea

[tcpip]

I'd really like to see you and aske give a presentation on the politics and economy of North Korea....

[saithkar]

Haha that would be enjoyable, already have most of the powerpoint presentation above, now just need a venue and an audience....

[tcpip]

I reckon I can arrange something along those lines :)

[saithkar]

Have to see what Ash thinks but and interesting thought.