Traveling in North Korea – Part 1 (Politics, Money and Pyongyang)

Following up my FAQs about backpacking in North Korea I thought I’d give a run down of my time there, my thoughts and my recommendations. It was truly an awesome travel experience and it gave me pure backpacking points to boot! Here’s Part 1 of my run down from traveling in North Korea anyway:

My thoughts on North Korea from traveling around the country:

During my time in North Korea, I’ve never seen so much propaganda in my life, every street corner is adorned with huge banners and emblems promoting the socialist cause. It all looks very impressive and it must be difficult for any North Korean to think outside the box when they’re constantly being reminded about the benefits of socialism and the pitfalls of American imperialism (read: capitalism).

North Korean Propaganda — Military Images and Socialist slogans are everywhere you look

Everywhere you go there are large images of Kim Il Song or Kim Jong Il similar to Thailand where the King’s image is everywhere you look. Their political ideologies follow the ‘Juche’ prinicipal where people are ‘taught’ to be self reliant and avoid consumerism. Kim Jong Il then implemented his ‘Military First’ system where the majority of their GDP is funneled into their military forces and their infamous nuclear advancement. It’s an entirely functional communist state.

Propaganda in North Korea — Every street corner has bill boards promoting their cause

Their political desires:

In reference to the Government’s desires, they want reunification of the Korean peninsula (i.e to rejoin North and South Korea). They want to spread the socialist message and remove any influence on their way of life that the Americans currently have.

What do North Korea want? — The North Koreans want one country making up the Korean Peninsula with a socialist government

Money in North Korea, salaries etc:

Their currency is in Won, just like South Korea although the exchange rate is vastly different. However, foreigners don’t really get access to their Won, we’re required to spend Euros first and foremost, failing that Chinese RMB or USD are the next currencies of choice.

Every local in North Korea has a job, they have an unemployment rate of zero. They all get paid almost identical salaries and receive free monthly, weekly or daily rations depending how valuable they are to the country. Their apartments are free and they receive them once they get married, as they have more kids they move into bigger apartments. Families are encourage to have as many kids as possible.

Pyongyang Accommodation — The Government-supplied housing is everywhere

Pyongyang, the Capital:

The main city in North Korea is undoubtedly the heartbeat of their country, both culturally and financially. Walking and driving around the city it’s fair to say people aren’t starving on the streets they way our media may lead us to believe. People seem pretty happy, they’re walking around with their friends/partners/families, joking about, smiling, frequenting the odd bar here and there etc.

What is apparent though is the lack of ANY advertising. Consumerism simply doesn’t exist. The roads are 4 lanes wide, they have a subway system (2 lines), a tram network, huge impressive albeit outdated building throughout the city. You’d be very surprised to how ‘developed’ the capital actually appears. However, there are no shopping malls, no billboards. People may be walking around but generally speaking there’s no colour in their attire, no branded clothing aside from maybe the odd adidas hat clearly obtained through some charitable donation from overseas. The buildings are huge but lack personality and in fact the city, aside from the political monuments, is very grim. The roads may be 4 lanes wide but there’s a distinct lack of cars, most of the time you may be one of a handful of cars in the city centre.

transport in north korea — Empty roads are a common sight across the country

I think that’s enough to digest for today, I’ll fill in the rest of my learnings tomorrow! I know North Korea may not be anyones idea of a last minute holiday but if you can take the plunge it’ll be the trip of a lifetime. If you guys have any questions, just drop me a line below and I’ll get right back to ya. Happy travels!