One of the world’s most reclusive and secretive nations is North Korea. They don’t have the internet, they don’t wear blue jeans, and they forbid religion.
Nothing about the country you see on TV makes it seem hospitable. Yet lots of people desire to travel there for precisely that reason.
Here are the top 7 things you should know before visiting North Korea if you decide to give it a try:
1. North Korea has no privacy
That’s accurate.
You’ll always be under observation in North Korea. The police can search your belongings at any moment, including your clothing, baggage, and even pictures.
Journalists are not permitted in the nation because of this.
2. Military service is mandatory for the citizens
North Korea’s principles do not reflect its people. Instead, the country prioritizes its growth and military.
According to the U.S. State Department, despite the fact that the nation and its citizens are among the poorest in the world, the military receives over 25% of the nation’s GDP.
According to the Council on Foreign Relations, the nation possesses chemical and biological weapons and has the fourth-largest military in the world, with more than 1.2 million soldiers.
This is what the country values most. Even while the military has not yet engaged in hostilities under its new leader, it appears to be more concerned with feeding its forces than its people.
3. Corruption as Exploitation
Koreans are particularly aware of corruption and sensitive to it. For Koreans, hearing about bribery, illicit activity, or preferential treatment can rapidly change how they feel about society. Because their perceived morality is so crucial to the people they serve, those in positions of authority, such as political leaders, are frequently subject to severe moral evaluation.
Because they enjoy perks that the average Korean does not, it is also typical as a result that celebrities are subject to the same standards of criticism. People become skeptical and start to reevaluate their life when scandals involving immoral behavior among politicians, celebrities, and entertainers emerge.
4. The electricity is constantly out.
People in North Korea live in abject poverty.
You can see the poverty through the gaps despite their best efforts to hide it.
Lights in homes and hotels will frequently flicker or go out at random hours since there is no reliable power. Additionally, because people cannot afford them, you won’t see any vehicles on the nation’s major thoroughfare.
But you will frequently witness lots of army shows, missiles, and tanks all around the nation. They invest all of their resources in demonstrating to the world how effective their military and armaments are.
Conclusion
Why you should visit North Korea
North Korea is a location you should visit once in your life, despite the lack of privacy, the unstable energy, and the restrictions on travel.
2 reasons….
It’s amazing how isolated North Korea is, with its deserted streets and highways. Visit North Korea if you want to witness how a regime can alter the course of a nation. It almost feels like you’re on Mars since it’s so distinct from the rest of the globe.
Because they are so isolated from the rest of the world, you might be the first visitor a North Korean child ever sees in his whole life. This gives their people hope. As Leonard Cohen once said, “There is a fracture in everything, that’s how you know it’s real,”