Subscribe to Intelligence Is A CurseNews FeedSubscribe to Intelligence Is A CurseComments

Browse > Home / Featured Content, My Inner Kindlings / Did I ever tell you about that time I went to North Korea?

Did I ever tell you about that time I went to North Korea?

August 5, 2009 by Tellie  
Filed under Featured Content, My Inner Kindlings

View Comments

I was filled with joy when I heard about Laura Ling and Euna Lee’s release from North Korea.  I may or may not have literally yelled “YES!” while I was walking through the mall shopping when I recieved the tweet from CNN about the great news.

As you all may know Korea, specifically South Korea, is just one of the many places I call home (If you didn’t know, you can read more about that here).You see, I know how it feels to be back on free land after stepping foot in North Korea. Yes I have been to North Korea. More than once.  Maybe not for 5 months as in the case of the journalists, but the hour or so I have collectively spent there, with guns held up to my head, was enough for me.

North Korea is one of the hardest countries to legally step foot in. But if you know the right people and literally are willing to sign that you know you are putting your life in danger, and you realize you may never return, you can visit.  Upon entering the rules are simple: Don’t laugh, don’t smile, no sudden movements, no jeans, no T-shirts, don’t talk to the guards on either side.   And going there is just one of those things that make you more appreciative of living in a free country.

Here are some of the few pictures I took behind enemy lines in 2005, sorry for the poor quality:

Russians

Russians
◄ Back
Picture 1 of 9

When I went to North Korea for the first time, there were Russians visiting on the other side. We had to wait for them to leave before we could step foot in the "Blue House". The place where negotiations take place between North Korea, South Korea, and the United States. Half of the house is in North Korea, Half is in South Korea.

Tags: , , , , , , , ,

  • krisleighsen
    I am speechless. Thank you for sharing.
  • Wow, I didn't realize you'd ever been there! What a unique experience.
  • That's awesome you live in S. Korea! I was so relieved and happy when they were returned safe & sound, and I'm glad you are safe too!
  • Thanks for reminding about just how precious freedom is this morning. I'm always thankful, but reading what it's like for you really puts a more meaningful perspective on it. How terrifying it must have been to have a gun pulled on you!

    It warmed my heart too when I heard the news of Laura's and Eunas' release. Considering the horrible relations our government has with N. Korea, they were very fortunate.
  • ershinta
    Ah..North Korea will always be in my heart. I'm not lucky enough to get in, as you did, but I was at the DMZ, and just looking out into North Korea made me sad. I was there with a few South Korean friends who pray for North Korea faitfully, and emotions were strong while we were there.
  • wow, how did you ever get to N Korea? I am intrigued.
  • Cool post. I used it in your feature at Traveling the Blogosphere, which is today :)
  • my eyes got misty too when i saw them boarding the plane that will bring them back home. and yes, i do remember in one of your post that you stayed in s korea, but did not know you went to n korea too.
  • Thanks for sharing about Korea. I was very happy when I heard that Bill Clinton succeeded in his negotiations as well.
  • first things first. i dig the new layout. i like it a LOT.

    second, i'm never going to n. korea. ever. i couldn't handle it. i'd get shot. because i'm kind of a rambunctious person, so they'd probably shoot me and i'd go to jail and that stuff. just doesn't sound like fun. at. all.

    how terrifying. i can't believe that people still live there, you know? but then again, as someone who's always lived in a free country, it IS hard to imagine why people would want to live under that stringent government. but they don't know any better either. it's how they've always lived. it's just crazy to me.
  • I heard about this on CNN also. Good to hear they are released.

    I didn't know about this, thanks for sharing your story.
  • That is really scary position about North Korea. It's a shame a country has to be like that. Even scary having to worry about guns being drawn on you. I really enjoyed seeing the pictures and hearing a little history and your experience. It's nice to see new places and learn new things.
  • Wow that is so awesome! I have a friend who is teaching English in South Korea right now and she loves it.
  • I am so Clinton got the job done and brought these women home. You article is fascinating. No doubt you have had a very interesting life. Can't wait to read more about it.
  • All I can say is thank God for Clinton, finally I appreciate the former President. Thanks for sharing your experience and photos I can honestly say that is one place I would never want to visit.
  • I was so happy for them, and their families upon hearing about their release. They must have been petrified. It does not sound like a place I would want to visit anytime soon.
  • It's really not that bad if you go in a controlled setting. Those are the best trained soldiers in the world. If a person from North Korea runs to the other side, They MUST fight to save that person and bring them to freedom. They actually fight until death. In the almost 60 years of having that building, there has only been one incident at that particular location (when a North Korean ran over to the South Korean side) that resulted in fighting, and I would like to say that was in the 1970s, so statistically speaking it's a fairly safe place to LEGALLY visit.

    Although they also say a bullet is shot along the Demilitarized Zone once a week lol.
  • Wow, so interesting and intense! Not many people can say they have experienced North Korea, firsthand. Seeing and hearing about oppressive regimes definitely puts things into perspective. Most people take freedom for granted.
  • Wow, what pictures and stories to go with them! Thanks for sharing!

    Such great news about the journalists!
  • BK
    I was truly happy when I read this morning that the two journalists were already back home and reunited with their families.
  • No smiling and laughing? I'd rather be dead.
  • Well the point of no smiling/laughing is to avoid propaganda. They told us a story of one person who was waving their arms trying to swat a fly and the next thing you know they were on a poster in North Korea with the caption "Look at this monkey trying to escape from such a horrible life"
  • That is so sick!
  • scary! i always smile, i giggle a lot so i dont think i will live there for long haha
  • Wowwwwww that's really intense! I'm glad the two journalists were released!!
blog comments powered by Disqus