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moki · Dec 3, 2003, 03:16 AM

I can't post the full article here, because it is broken up into 11 equally fascinating pages, but here's a bit from the front page. Essentially, an American studying in South Korea was able to weasel his way into DPRK (North Korea), entering the strongest reality distortion field on the planet.

The exploits are equally amusing and fascinating. Read on, dear Leader... erm, I mean "Reader"

from: http://www.1stopkorea.com/index.htm?....htm~mainframe

.....

When was the last trip you took where:

-- the guide wouldn't allow you to keep your passport?

-- you weren't allowed to use the local currency?

-- criticism of the place you traveled could get a guide into serious trouble?

-- on your return you felt you had to be careful bringing back books, pins and T-shirts because they might be illegal?

All this and more can be yours with a trip to the DPRK, the Democratic Peoples Republic of Orwellian Country Names, better known as North Korea. In an age where you can get Starbucks on Thai islands, Baskin-Robbins in Saigon, Coke and McDonalds just about everywhere, it's nice to finally visit a place lacking even the knowledge of such things. The most end-of-the-earth Chinese villager knows of Michael Jordan. In North Korea our big city Pyongyang guides had no clue who he was - until we pointed out his name on an autographed basketball in the Gifts to Kim Jong-il Museum. Then they were sure he must be someone really important. A mere basketball player? No way!

.....

Read the full story here: http://www.1stopkorea.com/index.htm?....htm~mainframe

This is a telling (and salient, given the computerized nature of these forums) quote from the travelogue:

The Internet was basically a giant mystery to the North Koreans I met. Some of them had at least heard the word but they didn't really seem to have a handle on exactly what it was. Even Mr. Baek, who'd once traveled outside the country to China, didn't quite have a grasp of what exactly e-mail and the Internet really were.

When asked if he felt like they were missing out on all the great information available on the Net Mr. Huk just brushed us off with, "we already know the truth from our government. Why would we want to learn what others say?" Which, in a nutshell, seemed a pretty good explanation of North Korean thought as a whole

voodoo · Dec 3, 2003, 04:49 AM

" In an age where you can get Starbucks on Thai islands, Baskin-Robbins in Saigon, Coke and McDonalds just about everywhere, it's nice to finally visit a place lacking even the knowledge of such things."

Um.. YES!

Zimphire · Dec 3, 2003, 12:23 PM

RDF indeed.

moki · Dec 3, 2003, 03:10 PM

Originally posted by voodoo:
" In an age where you can get Starbucks on Thai islands, Baskin-Robbins in Saigon, Coke and McDonalds just about everywhere, it's nice to finally visit a place lacking even the knowledge of such things."

Um.. YES!

Fair enough, and the author of the travelogue did make statements to that effect in his narrative.

Still, I found the story to be absolutely fascinating. It's amazing how much control the government there has over its people.

saab95 · Dec 3, 2003, 04:44 PM

Journey into Kimland: vacation in sunny North Korea

Don't forget the radiation gear!

moki · Dec 3, 2003, 11:44 PM

Originally posted by saab95:
Don't forget the radiation gear!

Actually, I'm going to attempt to go there next year. Hopefully I can wrangle my way in..

CRASH HARDDRIVE · Dec 4, 2003, 01:07 AM

Originally posted by moki:
Actually, I'm going to attempt to go there next year. Hopefully I can wrangle my way in..

Careful. Kim il once kidnapped South Korean movie stars, and forced them to make propaganda films in the north.

He's kidnapped Japanese tourists in the south, in order for his agents to learn from them how to pose as Japanese tourists themselves.

So if next year you suddenly stop posting for a long stretch, and thereafter we start to see suspiciously 'Ambrosia-esque' "Great Leader" games coming out of NK...

voodoo · Dec 4, 2003, 04:17 AM

Originally posted by CRASH HARDDRIVE:
Careful. Kim il once kidnapped South Korean movie stars, and forced them to make propaganda films in the north.

He's kidnapped Japanese tourists in the south, in order for his agents to learn from them how to pose as Japanese tourists themselves.

So if next year you suddenly stop posting for a long stretch, and thereafter we start to see suspiciously 'Ambrosia-esque' "Great Leader" games coming out of NK...

In other words BE PARANOID!!!

(PS Make sure there is a Mac version)

MacGorilla · Dec 4, 2003, 07:37 PM

That article was awesome and chilling. Its hard to wrap my brain around how isolated NK is.

rambo47 · Dec 7, 2003, 10:02 AM

See all the bickering that goes on in The Lounde here on the MacNN Forums? People criticizing the current regime, promoting "alternate cantidates" etc. While we argue these things, the bottom line is that we're exchanging ideas. And it's good. It's legal. In fact, it's encouraged!

In North Korea and a few other places it's forbidden. Do it and you may well disappear. That's not paranoid, that's a fact. Even China as recently as the Tieneman Square tragedy was disappearing dissadents. Looks like China is accepting the fact that they can't stay isolated and become a world superpower (economically and militarily) at the same time. Although they still heavily regulate the internet it is at least available.

I can't stess enough just how careful you must be if you go to North Korea. Keep such a low profile while there that you could play handball against the curb. I see you're posting from Rochester, New York. Being a U.S. citizen puts the double whammy on your travel plans. You can't get there from here without going through China. You just know you'll get some scrutiny from Washington. Plus the North Koreans will probably assume you're a spy, or at least claim that if it's convenient. I just think this is a case in which you simply can't be paranoid enough. It goes without saying that recreational pharmaceuticles are a big no-no. Even a single joint. Christ, I sound like my parents! Not my intention to preach, but please be careful!

theolein · Dec 7, 2003, 01:28 PM

It reminds me of the 12 hours I spent in Bucarest airport in 1988, on my way to israel. I don't think that North Korea would be my ideal location for a relaxing holiday. I feel sorry for those North Koreans.

swrate · Dec 7, 2003, 03:32 PM

Article above:
Those procedures would make anybody feel like a spy.
Controlling populations with left or right fascism

This world is more and more Orwellian,
Wires, limits, showing what can be showed.
Good luck. It should be interesting, a trip there seems to me like a visit to a huge prison. Be careful.
The axes of evil differ depending on your location on the planet....