North Korea - Inside the Hermit Country - North Korea pictures on Worldisround

North Korea - Inside the Hermit Country

(Article Text)
by Shon Ellerton

September 2003. By far the most unusual, interesting and disturbing travel experience I have ever had! I was intrigued a long time ago when I first heard a reporter on BBC Radio 4 describing this quiet city packed with amazing monuments and beautiful women directing almost non-existent traffic. But this is a place which should just simply not exist the way it is. There is no contact with the outside world (unless you're one of the privileged party officials of course). There is no freedom here despite all their (the Party) best efforts to show us all the redeeming qualities of their nation.

This trip was a very daring one on my part. Although I used my UK passport, little did they realise that I was an American citizen. So here I was, stuck with a group of about 12 to 13 other people, of which many of them denigrated the United States as far as humanly possible. Only as we landed 'safely' back in China, that I mentioned that I was an American! I'm sure I will be expecting an unexpected visit from Room 35 which is the North Korean equivalent of an overseas intelligence agency!

I've never been to such a place where there is so much animosity towards Americans and Japanese. But is this really the case? I don't think so. The guides we were with know what it's like to be in the free world (well, Beijing is definitely free in comparison!) but never spoke in such a way that this underlied their nations's beliefs. Remember, all these guides have families who may experience the ramifications from any instance of flawed allegiance to their nation. This is a nation of fear from themselves.

Re-unification is supported by most from both South and North Korea, but, alas, those wielding the power in both of these nations will lose out if this ever happens. I also believe it's a great myth that Kim Jong Il holds all the power. Believe me, there's a plethora of very high-ranking party officials who will never rescind their power and I am sure they will continue to use Kim Jong Il as their figurehead of a 'supreme' leader for their people.

The one redeeming feature about visiting North Korea was that you were not swamped with other tourists and that the guides did everything in their power to make you feel comfortable. I mean, we even had a relaxing lunch AT the DMZ! How bizarre is that?

Welcome to '1984'.

Comments

Add a comment

Your pictures and travel are very interesting. Shows a look of a strange country.

Thanks
— Horacio from Argentina, May 12, 2008

I was looking at these again today and finding them (again!) ever so fascinating! I feel so bad for the poor embroidery girls, working in the dim lights! Also, wonder how and why you were able to go there, maybe with your Russian galpal? thanks again for sharing these excellent and interesting photos with us!!
— Eleanor Robb, April 21, 2008

Thanks for the pictures
I went to Pyongyang in 04 on business trip for airbus.We only could stay two days but wish i could have got pics like you. We could not take pic without permission from our guide(minders).Did not get any of regular citizens. What got me was the large buildings that appeared to have no one in them. At night it was eerie since nearly the entire city was dark. Our group met with gov'ment officials and was picked up each day by volvos along a highway with no traffic. So odd! But thanks.
— phillip, January 26, 2008

Great comments on the visit to DMZ! I visited the DMZ on the Southern side. They did kinda rush us through there. We were allowed to walk around the table in the conference building but, as you noted, were not allowed to sit.
— Mr Kim, July 20, 2007

Awesome (and rare) pics. Thanks for posting.
— Stephan, January 27, 2007

such great photos. the comments are also witty and funny. they give us different views about North Korea.5 thumbs up!
— Karina Prananto, November 8, 2006

only flight of the day?
Do you ever believe because you were the only flight in this trip that the people knew you were coming? I recommend reading Orwell's "1984." Did you notice the strange cover over the TV in the school? Probably the Big Brother box...get my jist? This photo essay was extremely interesting, but I can't help but be skeptical since everyone's "big brother" box or daily propaganda newsletter most likly informed them of the some of few Westerner's visit...also telling them to look pretty and put on a big smile. Did they allow you to visit anywhere else? Was a guide present the whole time? Just a few questions left unanswered. Thanks.
— Miranda, July 12, 2006

Thank you for sharing your experience.
Awesome pictures. I wish to visit North Korea,someday. Thank you for sharing your experience.

-Sachin
— Sachin, November 21, 2005

I thought the picture were taken in 60s or 70s if you did not write the date ! I am glad I was not born there.....Thank you very much for sharing the 'secrets'.
— Cassandra Chuah, November 16, 2005

Thank you for pictures of North Korea
I'm Korean of the south. It was a very good experience for me to see the pictures of north korea. Although it is about 50 km distant from my home to a border of north korea, but I can't go there.
— Hyungjune Kim, August 20, 2005

Great photos
I have a strange desire to visit North Korea. How much did you end up spending?
— Anders Riise Koch, August 16, 2005

after looking this photos, i feel so strange about this country. There is few people and bus in the street. why?
— lixdayu, July 7, 2005

Great Photos!
Really enjoyed the photos. Would love to visit North Korea,someday. I spent over eight years in the Republic Of Korea in the 70s, 80s & 90s. I travelled the entire Country, unescorted. To bad you were restricted to the hotel/island & could not meet the common person. The escorted tour, however resulted in some interesting photos. Also, the captions of some of your photos offer a facinating "rewrite" of historical fact. Then, my favorite posting from James Kim, "unfortunely I'm a US citizen", Well, Mr. Kim that is problem easily fixed! However, do remember it is not so easy to fix if you are a North Korean citizen. I especially enjoyed the PROPOGANDA POSTERS, they say it all. Thanks, for sharing an insight into this imprisoned "Country". I look forward to future postings on travel in North Korea.
— Gary, June 5, 2005

Wow
Awesome pictures. Thank you for sharing your experience.
— Moon, May 9, 2005

Good job.
Good job on doing a wonderful job with these photos of DPRK. I am truly enlightened. Although born in South Korea and spent 1/3 of my life there, I was always taught at school that Northern part of Korea was occupied by starving people and is ruled by a dictator with monsterous 2-3 heads. What a MF propaganda!! It is unfortunate being a citizen of the US. Until Korea is united as one like the Germans, I will never be able to visit DPRK.
— James Kim, January 27, 2005

OMG..
OMG... I've never thought thought about they HAVE tall buildings and even metro stuff. It's totally amazing...I've never learned about this far of North Korea in South. Thank you for all those awesome pictures!!
— NaYeon Lee, September 12, 2004

Very interesting and unusual
It's great that you share this North Korea photo as it's very rare we could see the difference between the life and society of people in North Korea and the outside world.
— Aaron Chong, September 10, 2004

An interesting coverage. From the pictures, the people in DPRK might be poor, but they all looked healthy, well-fed, happy and contented, just like most people in other parts of the world. So glad to see that and to see your work.
— Henry Yim, August 26, 2004

well done
a thoughtful and sensitive portrait of a place we shall never see
— pilotfriend, August 20, 2004

I got a strong impression...
I'm a Korean...South Korean in detail. The youngers like me never been to North Korea and for most South Korean it's still difficult to face North Korean real life. Although we're one race, we were devided into two parts for 50 years...it's so tragic for both of us... I had been to DMZ 3 years ago. The opposite side of DMZ was also Korea. yeah,we were one...we are one...we'll be one.

Thank you for the really touching photos.
— Jeong, Jae Hoon, August 20, 2004

Thank you, thank you, it's totally amazing and fascinating!!
— ellie robbe, August 6, 2004

Wow. What a fascinating country. I've never seen pictures of N.Korea before. Thanks for sharing.
— Jason Xu, July 30, 2004

Fascinating!
I would love to visit this surreal place someday but since I am American, maybe when reunification comes!
— Robert Bibeault, July 15, 2004

Great Job!
As N.Korean Neighbour, We konw very few about this country as well.Surely my country China is one of the only countries which is "friend" of DPRK. If I can get its visa and I really want to be one of the 2000 lucky persons. I of course again keep what I see in the pictures. Well Done,British!
— Ronghong Xiao, July 15, 2004

Interesting place for sure fella.
— Rafe, July 6, 2004

I agree with everyone else... and how in the world DID you get in?
— Steffon Hamulak, June 26, 2004

Wonderful set of photographs. It would be most interesting to read about your reaction and what you've learned from your short excursion into this country.
— Ms Ann Thrope, June 26, 2004

Isn't this the first?
I think this is the first article I've seen on North Korea on this web site. I didn't even know it was open to outsiders. Since it was so unusual, I hope you tell us more about your trip. Why did you go there? How on earth did you get in? There are a lot of questions I'm sure others will have and I hope you can enlighten us about this totally fascinating country.
— Bob Fairbanks, June 25, 2004