4. Pictures require permission
Even if you were to get permission to visit North Korea, don’t think you’ll be getting a generic touristic experience. Taking pictures is only allowed in specific locations, and making contact with the general Korean public is strictly prohibited. In North Korea you’ll have a guide by your side at all times, who will keep a close eye on you to make sure you’re sticking to the rules. If you’re caught taking any ‘forbidden’ pictures, your camera will be taken to erase said pictures, and you might get yourself in some very deep trouble.
5. No big brand fastfood chains
You won’t find any big multinationals such as McDonald’s, KFC or Burger King in North Korea. Instead, they take to promoting their own kitchen. A culinary staple is ‘kimchi’, which you’ll no doubt encounter were you to stay in the country. This is a type of fermented cabbage.
6. Travelling – no matter the scale
You’ll understand traveling is a luxury the dirt poor inhabitants of North Korea won’t be able to afford. The airport in Pyongyang is host to very few international flights. You’ll be able to make it to Russia and China, but no further than that. For the general population of North Korea, travel options within the country are severely limited as well. If you want to visit your family in a city a few miles away? You’ll have to get government permission first.
And that’s not all… Find out more about the restrictions in North Korea on the next page.