Found out about this great organization called the Korean Friendship Association about 3 months ago. Long story short, I'll be in Korea from the 12th to the 19th of August. I think they still may have 1 or 2 spots available. It would be cool to go with some Aggies. If you are interested, please visit:

http://www.korea-dpr.com/kfa2010/kfa-usa-aug-2010.htm

(and shoot me an email at my username at yahoo dot com)

I'm planning on going next year. Really jealous, be sure to take lots of pictures (where appropriate, of course).

That's really cool. I went with a mission group to Viet Nam last September and will be going again in October. This time my wife will be coming along. While its a Christian group, because of the communist government, our work was purely humanitarian in nature. Have a good time, be safe, and take photos if you can.

no thanks.

OP, don't mention soccer while you're there.

cool - exciting news that some semblance of the internet exists there, though I doubt you'll find anybody on the street who uses it!

I'm sure you've seen the vbs.tv documentary - check it out if you haven't.

I would read everything the State Department has to say about North Korea before going. I would also make arrangements in case I was detained while there. There is nothing "friendly" about the North Korean government. You will be assigned a handler and escorted everywhere you go on a pre-arranged schedule. Assume that everyone you meet works for the North Korean government. Do not try to break loose and meet common people. All you will be doing is dooming them to a camp somewhere.

Also, realize that if you have any ideas of working for the federal government in the future, this trip may jeopardize that.

Do bring apolitical gifts for your guides. They have (by far) the most at risk. If you go off and do something against the rules, it's the guides (and their families) who will be punished.

Be very nice to your guides, and you may get to go off the beaten path a little.

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Do bring apolitical gifts for your guides. They have (by far) the most at risk. If you go off and do something against the rules, it's the guides (and their families) who will be punished.

Be very nice to your guides, and you may get to go off the beaten path a little.

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Wow. Sounds like a win-win for everyone...

At least it only costs about $4k to go where you aren't really welcome and could get yourself and some locals in trouble.

I don't get it either. Is the point of going to say that you've been to the most secretive and restricted country in the world? I guess I can see some value in that, but I doubt the white-washed, highly-restricted government tour will allow you to see much. If the point is to push some sort of Western or religious agenda, then I see no value in the trip at all.

Any of you ever been to China? They're just as horrible to their people, just as restrictive, yet people don't have any problem going there.

Yes, while you're there you're basically on a propaganda tour, but seeing the Arirang in person is supposed to be incredible.

As far as the politics go, every time a North Korean sees an American who isn't a monster, it helps. I have a big compassion for them, because their eyes have been darkened for so long. There are some times on these trips where you get to see the locals, although not necessarily speak to them.

In short, it's a real polarizing trip, just like Iran (where I want to go even more than North Korea). Some people will see value in it, for the spectacle if nothing else.

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They're just as horrible to their people, just as restrictive, yet people don't have any problem going there.

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No they're not.

I would typically say "to each his own" with regard to this sort of thing, but have (and will) have a problem when these sort of activities lead to international incidents. I'm sure the "Friends of Korea" group will be fine, but who foots the bill when somebody goes to someplace like Korea, Iran, or Afghanistan and has to be bailed out by the US government when they do something wrong? It riles me to no end when the State Department has to expend time, money and resources to rescue some joker who thought the rules of a restricted, non-friendly country didn't apply to him or her.

I agree with you 100%. If you're in ANY country, do your best to be informed and not break any rules.

I'm watching the video from vbs.tv and it shocking! Wow.

Correct me if I am wrong, but why do the North Koreans just think of themselves as the Koreans? Do they not adknowledge South Korea much?

And when North Korea played in the World Cup, did that team stay seperate from any western people?

To your first question:
The North Koreans are obsessed with reunification with South Korea. They don't think it will happen; they KNOW it will happen. They know it will happen and when it does, North Korea will be in charge, not South Korea.

I love the bit of the VBS vid where he says the SK troops look like Rave Military and the NK troops look like hardened assassins.

And yes, the NK team stayed very isolated from the media.

If the N Koreans don't like the S Koreans, then why do they want to unify?

Think of "unify" more as "takeover".

Militarily though, let's be honest. As soon as they decided to invade the South, the second they cross that border every single soldier will run for their lives and defect.

I disagree. Those people are SO brainwashed. They think Kim Jung Il is GOD for goodness sake.

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As soon as they decided to invade the South, the second they cross that border every single soldier will run for their lives and defect.

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This is foolish and it certainly didn't happen 50 years ago. NK soldiers will be too busy digging pits and filling them with SK civilians to have an opportunity to run away.

As for the World Cup team, I wonder how many players and their families are now wasting away in camps after the loss to Argentina. Presumably the families were already in camps to provide an additional incentive against anyone thinking of defection.

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In short, it's a real polarizing trip, just like Iran (where I want to go even more than North Korea). Some people will see value in it, for the spectacle if nothing else.

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Be sure and get a proper photo taken of yourself before you go on this trip, or the Iran trip, so that when you get into some stupid mess and the government has to get you out, the news folks will have a decent photo of you to show on the newscast.

I've worked/lived with many South Koreans and they by no means hate North Korea or its people. They feel sorry for them and want the unification (with South Korea in charge of course).

[This message has been edited by BaylorHistory (edited 7/16/2010 2:07a).]

Anybody been to NK since this post?

Here I am reading this post thinking who goes to N Korea and am halfway through realizing it is 8 years old....

Took me a second to realize it was 8 years old as well. I admit going to Cuba interests me, but going to North Korea seems like an awful idea.

dc509 said:

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Took me a second to realize it was 8 years old as well. I admit going to Cuba interests me, but going to North Korea seems like an awful idea.

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From what I've heard in my industry, going on a cruise ship is what most recommend. The ones that go and stay there, its still very outdated. They do not have resorts, etc. Its more staying in older hotels and I've heard the food is pretty bland. You definitely aren't going for a pampering style vacation.

Edited to add - there is also a travel advisory out right now for Cuba (has been for some time, since the hearing loss issues arose)

Just realized this thread was OLD!

histag10 said:

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I think the better question is- ha anyone seen the OP since he left for NK 8 years ago?

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Exactly what I was thinking.....

Did anyone check to see if he posted after 2010?

Rodman,

Is that you?

Rod Man