Discover the Secret and Fascinating North Korea
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A unique adventure in an unknown world.
Explore the enigmatic North Korea and its hidden treasures.
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North Korea: A Journey to the Heart of the Unexpected
Meet the inhabitants of the "hermit kingdom":
Visiting North Korea is, of course, an act of curiosity towards a regime without equivalent in the 21st century. It is also, and perhaps more importantly, an opportunity to meet the North Korean people, far from clichés and preconceived ideas. It would be a shame to reduce this country to its regime alone. North Korea offers a rich culture, stunning landscapes, and friendly and curious inhabitants. Thus, one visits the showcase of the regime and returns having become acquainted with North Korea and its people.
Dominique Auzias, co-founder of Petit Futé, who had decided when creating the publishing house to visit every country in the world, declared upon his return from a three-week trip to North Korea, without further comment, that he was happy twice when visiting this country: at the moment he entered and when he left.
A Mysterious and Captivating Adventure
North Korea piques the curiosity of adventurers seeking thrills and the unexpected. One thinks they know what they are looking for: the survival of a totalitarian communist state, excessive surveillance, or a unique experience. However, it is difficult to predict what one will actually take away from it. Once there, our views and preconceptions change, for better or worse. This country, although largely unknown to the general public, is a media star. Negative reports fuel travelers' desire to go there to form their own opinions. Thus, the North Korean regime is an attractive destination for some.
This is the case for Andrew Swearingen, a Danish student at Oxford, who visited North Korea in 2005 out of "morbid curiosity." He justifies his trip by the totalitarian nature of the regime and the desire to see it with his own eyes. North Korea offers a mix of heightened security for tourists and total disorientation, sometimes giving the impression of being a goldfish in a gilded bowl.
Exploring a Mysterious Territory
Traveling to the place means comparing what we are told in our daily media with reality. It is about verifying the information about this country, which is abundant but often clouded by preconceived ideas. While one can criticize North Korea in many respects, there are also some pleasant surprises. Who knows that many apartments in Pyongyang are equipped with solar panels, or that you can see beautiful German sedans and American SUVs on the streets? We only hear about the economic sanctions, but not how some countries, which initiated the sanctions, continue to indirectly sell their goods to North Korea. The majority of the current population was born under this regime, knowing only what they are told and nothing else. Visiting North Korea is thus worth all the documentaries and books dedicated to this country, provided one knows how to open their eyes.
Travel to North Korea: A Unique Experience
Finally, the real advantage of a trip to North Korea is that when you return to Europe, you appreciate the freedom you have much more after having lacked it there. This is incomparable to what the North Korean population obviously goes through. It is quite strange to realize that you cannot leave the hotel in the evening or take the bus with the local population. Having the freedom to move freely in your own country is something obvious for us, but not for them. North Koreans need permits to travel.
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