I travelled to North Korea last September, a couple weeks before the unveilling of Kim Jong-un. When we were in North Korea, none of the guides, etc. even knew for sure if Kim Jong-il had any children. The story had just broken in the west about the likely new role Kim Jong-il’s youngest son would have, but there had not been a word spoken of this in the North Korean press.
The Juche tower in the background is one of the main landmarks of North Korea. Juche is the main ideology of the state. The people in the foreground are all practicing for the “Mass Games”, a huge production involving tens of thousands of people.
Travel to Southern South Korea – Episode 286
Travel to Seoul, South Korea – Episode 157
Old City Wall and Guard Tower – Suzhou, China – Daily Photo
Temple of the 10,000 Buddhas / Sha Tin Temple – Hong Kong – Daily Photo
Matt | ExpertVagabond
Says:March 23rd, 2011 at 8:52 am
Wow! Crazy how all the buildings are built symmetrically like that.
How hard is it for the average traveler to get into North Korea? Where you there for a purpose, or just visiting on your own?
Rob DeCamp
Says:March 23rd, 2011 at 5:07 pm
I was just there as a tourist. It is not exactly easy, but it is not too difficult to travel to North Korea. (And unlike Cuba, it is completely legal to go to North Korea.) You must go as part of a tour (I went with Koryo Tours, which I recommend). Americans typically can only receive a visa through the North Korean embassy in Beijing, which your tour company will arrange. Other nationalities (many Europeans, etc.) may be able to secure a visa from the NK embassy in their home country, but again you must be part of an organized tour. It was an incredibly fascinating trip.