I’m planning to visit next spring, I heard that N Korea is a very hard place to book a visit, and I’d love to see the unique buildings and how they have implemented the idea of Juche.
Can someone tell me all the possible facts and what life is like for the average N. Korean what I should do and not do and if anyone else who is a member of this board has been there.
Thanx
30-second lesson in Korean:
(I’m going to type this phonetically, for obvious reasons)
Hello (in person)
Ahn - yaung ha say oh (formal, polite)
Ahn - yaung (informal, short)
Hello (telephone)
Ya baa say yo
Thank you
Kam sa hap ni da (but say it fast, so it sounds more like kamsamnida)
** My name is <name>**
Nanun <Slimshady!> im ni da
I am from <place>
Nanun <place> esso wa sum ni da
If you go out to eat, get bul go gee, it’s really good (spiced beef). Be careful of Kimchee, it can get really bad sometimes. And if you want bread, take it with you, it’ll be very hard to find there. Lobster, however, is cheap and plentiful. My kinda place. (well, S. Korea, not north)
Are you sure you want to go there? After the whole “axis of evil” thing? I’d think S. Korea would be a lot nicer and a lot more fun.
Here’s a “lonely planet” guide to N. Korea
Would you maybe prefer South Korea? There’s food there, and it’s not run by an insane absolute ruler who doesn’t understand the difference between movies and real life.
Hey, don’t make me call the Pulgasari!!!
The unique buildings are for governmental functions only, or for tourists. Everyone else lives and works in featureless concrete buildings or shacks.
You don’t actually believe in the Juche idea, do you?
No. But it is an experience to see how they implement it. Also it is one of the very last places on Earth where western influences haven’t penetrated. Stalinism acts like a preserving agent.
Whats the conditions in the apartments for civilians? What should I avoid doing there to keep out of trouble, I know talking about the government (eg badmouthing it) is a nono, but what about the small activities smoking and freedom of movement?
Smoking should be no problem, but you will have no freedom of movement. You will have your tour guide with you at all times, and you will go where he wants you to go.
If you aren’t in a tour, you aren’t going. They won’t give you a visa.
Conditions for civilians are pretty grim, but you won’t be allowed to see that. You won’t run into too many civilians on your trip anyway. Civilians will go out of their way to avoid you, since associating with foreigners will bring them many negative repercussions.
I can think of a million more fun places to visit.
Stalinism is a western influence, cxu ne?
I think Cuba would be easier to get to, even for US citizens, wouldn’t it?
The Straight Dope on the Ryugyong Hotel in Pyongyang: Is the world’s tallest building in North Korea?
And don’t miss Simon Bone’s extraordinary account of his visit. And Ron Gluckman’s visit.
Official Food - Scraps of treebark
Official Tree - Can’t tell, all the trees have been stripped of bark by starving peasants
Official Flower - volunteer weeds growing in minefield in DMZ
Official Sport - marching around in parade to celebrate Great Leader and Dear Leader with empty rifle because they are afraid someone may take a shot at them
Official Vehicle - Obsolete Soviet T-34 tank cast off from WWII
Maybe you should instead go to a place with a little warmer climate, like Camp X-Ray!