So I'm (finally) going to North Korea...! ^__^

[Kiruri]

Define "serious offence", now, ask for the NK's definition of "serious offence"

Probably something that'd get you into jail in normal countries.

But then, I suppose your guides wouldn't be entirely keen on you leaving the official tour route. So yeah, there are a couple of (pretty obvious) things you really shouldn't do. But those are generally quite obvious, and don't really require care at all.

NK isn't a normal country. Bend one of their bills, give your back to a statue or portrait of the state's founder, do something they don't like and you're probably toast :s

[Glasgia]

Actually, with all the state surveillance you're under as a possible spy, it's probably one of the safest places in the world.

Not safe from the government. One wrong move, and they'll frame you for anything they possibly can (which, given their bullshit, is a lot), and destroy any evidence that will exonerate you (if not outright openly ignoring it).

So yes, maybe a tourist there is safe from the citizens, but almost certainly not from the government.

Nah, they're not stupid enough to hurt tourists if the tourist isn't stupid enough to hurt themselves. Tourists importantly provide good income, but also any arrest will be big news. Just don't start looking where Kimmy doesn't want you to look, and you should be fine.

[Herrebrugh]

Probably something that'd get you into jail in normal countries.

But then, I suppose your guides wouldn't be entirely keen on you leaving the official tour route. So yeah, there are a couple of (pretty obvious) things you really shouldn't do. But those are generally quite obvious, and don't really require care at all.

NK isn't a normal country. Bend one of their bills, give your back to a statue or portrait of the state's founder, do something they don't like and you're probably toast :s

No. Because, like I said, tourism = money, and North Korea can really use money. Contrary to popular opinion, they aren't completely and utterly stupid.

[Katyuscha]

Why.

[Grenartia]

He's going to try moving there.

No, I haven't seen anything to indicate that.

They've mentioned it in the past.

I wonder if they're going to turn out like Oswald...

Not safe from the government. One wrong move, and they'll frame you for anything they possibly can (which, given their bullshit, is a lot), and destroy any evidence that will exonerate you (if not outright openly ignoring it).

So yes, maybe a tourist there is safe from the citizens, but almost certainly not from the government.

If anything, the North Korean government wants more tourists. Things like this will not improve tourism.

Everybody (including North Korea) knowsthat if they really wanted more tourists, they'd improve their human rights, and stop their nuclear weapons program, among other things.

[Othelos]

In any case, I'm currently living in the wondrous city of Beijing, China, and owing to the fortuitous circumstances I've found myself in, I've found a way where I'm feasibly able to visit North Korea. I'm in the final stages of making arrangements to do so; so if all goes well, I *should* be in North Korea from the 13th to the 20th of April this year, in Pyongyang and several other cities. It seems everyone who's ever wished me to go there is about to have their wish granted. So thank you, I guess. xD

Have fun visiting the gulags and seeing starving people. And don't worry, you'll get used to the stifling atmosphere and complete lack of genuine culture.

[Vorkova]

snip

I hope you enjoy the blackouts and constant surveillance. Be sure to tell us what the food was like, if there actually was any.

[Herrebrugh]

If anything, the North Korean government wants more tourists. Things like this will not improve tourism.

Everybody (including North Korea) knowsthat if they really wanted more tourists, they'd improve their human rights, and stop their nuclear weapons program, among other things.

That's not logical. The North Korean upper class won't simply give up its power just for tourism. I'm saying tourism is important to North Korea, but not so important that they'd change their entire state form to its benifit.

Besides, lots of tourists probably go there because it is such an infamous dictatorship.

[Wolfmanne]

I know it's North Korea, but... have a good trip?

Anyway, I'll be following your blog.

[United Marxist Nations]

No, I haven't seen anything to indicate that.

They've mentioned it in the past.

I wonder if they're going to turn out like Oswald...

I wouldn't recommend that. Granted, I probably wouldn't mind moving to Cuba (however, I don't consider the two comparable, due to the differences in ideology), but would prefer to have socialism expand past it than to simply hold it up as a beacon.

[Grenartia]

Everybody (including North Korea) knowsthat if they really wanted more tourists, they'd improve their human rights, and stop their nuclear weapons program, among other things.

1. That's not logical. The North Korean upper class won't simply give up its power just for tourism. I'm saying tourism is important to North Korea, but not so important that they'd change their entire state form to its benifit.

2. Besides, lots of tourists probably go there because it is such an infamous dictatorship.

1. If they're unwilling to change, they shouldn't be trying to rely on tourism.

2. And what about the American vet who fought in Korea, and was detained? Considering that pretty much the entire world less the Soviet Union and its puppet states contributed to the UN invasion of NK, I doubt many people (especially those old enough to have been veterans during the Korean War) would want to go there, with the risk of being brought up on bullshit charges.

[Hydronium]

Why.

The same reason why I'm still on NSG
Why not?

[Torsiedelle]

Well, I'm not exactly a big fan of North Korea (Grandpa fought them in the '50s), but good luck. I've seen one or two videos of the place from a tourist, ad it looks interesting, to say the least.

Isn't there that one big hotel, looked really awesome, but it was never finished? I wouldn't mind seeing that, actually.

[America Libertaria]

I dunno if this is against site rules or not. If so, my apologies, and mods, feel free to move/lock/delete this thread. I just honestly thought it might be of interest to some people.

Anyhow. I've been gone from this site for a while, but at one point, I was (in)famous here as a defender of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea and Kimilsungism as a political theory.

My life has become sufficiently busy that I'm not really able to devote the time I was once able to in terms of holding ongoing political discussions, much as I generally liked them in the past and would still like them at present. So, unfortunately, I'm not able to return in that capacity. Surprisingly, being an outright member of the working class in practice instead of merely a student actually takes up a lot more of my time. xD

In any case, I'm currently living in the wondrous city of Beijing, China, and owing to the fortuitous circumstances I've found myself in, I've found a way where I'm feasibly able to visit North Korea. I'm in the final stages of making arrangements to do so; so if all goes well, I *should* be in North Korea from the 13th to the 20th of April this year, in Pyongyang and several other cities. It seems everyone who's ever wished me to go there is about to have their wish granted. So thank you, I guess. xD

I figured that due to my former presence on this site, and the intrigue my political outlook struck with some of the others here, there might be some interest in reading about my travels to what I consider to be the most advanced nation in the world in terms of realization of socialist theory. There isn't much to it yet, but come late April this year, with any luck, there should be a lot of documentation on my trip to North Korea: http://anandathered.blogspot.com/

If you have any curiosities/questions you'd like to ask me before/after my trip - anything you're curious about in the country or would like me to look out for or something - please feel free to ask them here: http://new.spring.me/#!/user/anandaxthexred/timeline

I'll do my best to do an intellectually honest job of answering them, so long as they aren't too inappropriate or personal in nature. ^__^

Are you an American citizen? If you are good luck. Well you'll need it no matter what country you are from. Seriously, you will need it.

[Hardened Pyrokinetics]

If we don't hear from you, we're going to assume you're camping out at one of Best Korea's gulag vistas or fertilizing a farmer's field with your organs.

[Herrebrugh]

1. That's not logical. The North Korean upper class won't simply give up its power just for tourism. I'm saying tourism is important to North Korea, but not so important that they'd change their entire state form to its benifit.

2. Besides, lots of tourists probably go there because it is such an infamous dictatorship.

1. If they're unwilling to change, they shouldn't be trying to rely on tourism.

2. And what about the American vet who fought in Korea, and was detained? Considering that pretty much the entire world less the Soviet Union and its puppet states contributed to the UN invasion of NK, I doubt many people (especially those old enough to have been veterans during the Korean War) would want to go there, with the risk of being brought up on bullshit charges.

1. I'm just going to leave this here: http://edition.cnn.com/2013/12/02/trave ... -protocol/

North Korea is safe.

2. He was incredibly stupid. If you know anything about North Korea, it's that they intensely demonise the Americans, especially during the Korean War. Seriously, this reaction was to be expected, and the man in question should have either stayed at home, or shut his trap.

[Dakran]

Have fun in North Korea. Would asking for pictures be out of line? I want to see inside best Korea >.>

[Herrebrugh]

Have fun in North Korea. Would asking for pictures be out of line? I want to see inside best Korea >.>

There already are plenty online, you know.

[Vorkova]

Have fun in North Korea. Would asking for pictures be out of line? I want to see inside best Korea >.>

"You bring camera? Is spying device, you go Gulag now."

[Dakran]

Have fun in North Korea. Would asking for pictures be out of line? I want to see inside best Korea >.>

There already are plenty online, you know.

Unless its from a NSer I don't trust them. *defiant post*

[Philosophii]

Despite what most people say about NK, I've heard it's actually very friendly to tourists. Especially to those Zealand (or was it Aussie?) bikers, that biked from South to North and back. Apparently North Koreans are very nice as well, enjoy your stay there.

Of course, remember, it's also a country that's ruled by generations of maniacs who starve their own people, and punish an entire family for three generations in concentration camp-like conditions.

It'd be a bit redundant to ask for photos, apparently they only let you take photos of certain things.

[The New Age Republic]

I have to admit, I'm pretty jealous of you. I'd love to go and see what NK is like, regardless of all the negative stigma. It seems like such an interesting place. Truely, I hope you enjoy it! The closest I've gotten so far is Cuba, which... well, its not really NK is it?

[Herrebrugh]

I have to admit, I'm pretty jealous of you. I'd love to go and see what NK is like, regardless of all the negative stigma. It seems like such an interesting place. Truely, I hope you enjoy it! The closest I've gotten so far is Cuba, which... well, its not really NK is it?

How was Cuba?

[Conscentia]

I'm guessing you're visiting Pyongyang. You should be aware that it's a show city. It does not provide an accurate representation of North Korea as a country.

[United Marxist Nations]

http://cephlopress.com/wp-content/uploa ... Throne.png