미국사람: Americans in the DPRK

Mi-guk Sahrahm

Visiting The Democratic People's Republic of Korea

You've booked your ticket to North Korea, now there are some rules you should follow while you're here: DO's & DON'Ts.

You will be observed at all times by a tour guide. To keep both of you safe, you should follow their directions carefully .

If you would like to visit North Korea, there are many options. Several companies offer various tour packages. Koryo Tours has leaves out of Beijing China. For around $1,500.00 You can go with Yangpa Tours. Brouchures can actually be found in South Korea. However, your five-day tour begins and ends in Beijing. Another company boasting an all inclusive package to the DPRK is New Korea Tourism. They showcase "luxury stays" and discounts for booking together. When planning these trips, a 30-day wait on your visa is to be expected. They will do a background check on you before you can enter the country.

Bring gifts. It is customary to bring your hosts and tour guides a gift. Fruit is a good one.
Bring cigarettes. Here, the men are very grateful for cigarettes.
Dress with respect in mind. Wear clean clothing that is appropriate for business.
Take your shoes off. It is customary to remove your shoes when entering someone’s home.
Be very respectful.
Make sure you bow. Not bowing is very disrespectful.
Listen to your guides very carefully.
Buy your goods in Beijing before going into the DPRK.
Use a Polaroid camera if you have one. People would love to have a photo of themselves (so long as it is done with permission).
Be open and friendly.
Bring pictures from home: “We strongly suggest you bring home/family photos to let your guides/waitresses see a little of how you live.”
Use both hands: “When offering or accepting food, gifts, etc., it is polite and customary to use both hands.”
Smile.
Learning the basic greetings goes a long way.

Do Not

While visiting, do not wander off on your own.
Do not take pictures without expressed permission. You cannot take lens over 150 mm into DPRK.
Do not speak ill of the Dear Leaders.
Do not try to start a protest: “Public protest and proselytizing of any religion are not allowed.”
Do not try to use a cell phone: yes, they are allowed, but only for games, music, alarm clock, and so on. There will be no GPS signal.
Do not bring a GPS device (including a camera with one built in).
Do not bring South Korean won (money) into the DPRK.
Do not bring literature about the DPRK into the DPRK (especially if it is written in the west).
Try not to bring any literature, if you can help it.
Do not argue with your guides about "The War."
If a North Korean guide tells you not to do something, then that means DO NOT DO IT.

*If these rules are not followed, it will be the guides who pay the price for your behavior.

The green-eyed citizens of Pyongyang.

Into the Democratic People's Republic

When Larry Allen Abshier had defected from the United States Army and crossed the 38th paralell heading north, it shocked the world.

Why? Because he went into North Korea during the conflict.

Larry Allen Abshier had been the first to defect from the United States Army into North Korea.

Three months later, in 1962, Private first class James Dresnok defected from the United States military into North Korea. His reasoning? He was “fed up.”

Jerry Wayne Parrish and Charles Robert Jenkins followed soon after. The men have acted in several films for the DPRK, gaining a bit of fame in their adopted country.

There is a Documentary called Crossing the Line if you'd like to know more. Dresnok is the only surviving member of this group.