The DPRK
The Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK), more commonly known as North Korea, is a fascinating country with thousands of years of history, a very gracious people, amazing natural beauty, incredible potential and - of course - a very mysterious aura around it. The last 100 years a lot has happened in this nation in the far North-East of Asia, and a unique society and way of life have been created.
Our trips help you make a discovery that nobody else can provide. We lift the veil on the mystery, we challenge the opinions held by those who have not witnessed this nation for themselves, and we present the DPRK in a way that allows everyone to make up their own mind about its position in the world.
Please browse through the various pages of this website in order to find out all the details of travelling with us, and of course, if you have any questions, then we will be happy to answer them - just drop us a line !
Left : the most tense place on our planet : the Panmunjom Truce Village, where soldiers from the DPRK, the ROK and the US stand within metres from each other, and where a small concrete slab marks the border between two nations that are still - technically - at war.
DPRK Profile
Official Name : Democratic People's Republic of Korea
Head of State: Kim Jong Un, Supreme Commander of the KPA, Chairman of the National Defense Commission, General Secretary of the Korean Workers' Party
Head of Government: Choe Yong Rim, Prime Minister
Ruling Party: Workers' Party of Korea
Currency : Won = 100 chon (approx 100Won = US$1) (this currency can not be used by visitors)
Currency for visitors : Euro, RMB, US$
Area: 120,540 sq km (80% mountainous)
Population: 24 million (2008 census)
Labour force: 7 million
Korea's history spans over 5000 years. Due to its strategic geographical location, neighbouring China, Japan and Russia, the peninsula has often been the field of battle of foreign powers and as now inextricably enmeshed in the global political climate.
What is the story behind the DPRK?
Japan occupied Korea from 1910 until the end of the Second World War whereupon the Russians took the surrender in the north and the Americans to the south on the 38th parallel. This was meant to be a temporary border however due to mistrust between Russian and America and the outbreak of the Cold War the line became permanent. Tension between the two halves led to the outbreak of the Korean War, 1950-1953 (Fatherland Liberation War) which has left the country divided until the present day.
The North is a country run on communist principles but dominated by the country's 'Juche Idea', a philosophy aimed at developing self-reliance. With the change in political direction of it's old comrades Russia and China, North Korea has become increasingly isolated and is seen as one of the most difficult countries to get a tourist visa for. It was widely believed in the outside world that strains caused by the food and economic crisis would inevitably lead to the opening of the country through reform or even implosion or war. However it is apparent that the DPRK is still maintaining it's steadfast attitude and optimists are seeing this decade as a change through dialogue with the South and the outside world.
Brief chronology of Korean history
918-1392 Koryo - first dynasty to unify the Korean peninsula
1392-1910 Yi (Chosun) Dynasty
1910-1945 Occupation by Japan
1945 World War II ends - Korea divided on the 38th parallel
1945 Founding of Workers' Party of Korea
1948 Democratic People's Republic of Korea established in the North, Republic of Korea in the South
1948 Kim Il Sung becomes president of DPRK and Syngman Rhee becomes president of the ROK
1950-53 Korean War
1994 Death of President Kim Il Sung
2011 Death of Leader Kim Jong Il
Juche
The Juche Era was set up 1912 when the 'sun' of Juche, Kim Il Sung,was born. It was enacted on the occasion of the third anniversary of his death. Juche 1 corresponds to 1912, therefore 2012 is also known as Juche 100.
Traditionally, one of its main mysteries has been how to gain access to this fascinating country. Well, travel to the DPRK has never been easier, and we are here to help you realise your dream of witnessing the world's least known and probably most misunderstood nation.
Our trips help you make a discovery that nobody else can provide. We lift the veil on the mystery, we challenge the opinions held by those who have not witnessed this nation for themselves, and we present the DPRK in a way that allows everyone to make up their own mind about its position in the world.
2012 was an extremely important year in the history of the DPRK. The nation celebrated the 100th anniversary of the birth of its founding father, the Eternal President and Great Leader Kim Il Sung. The country had been preparing for years for this event, and there were many kinds of events, celebrations and special occasions throughout the year in order to celebrate this milestone. We were there to witness some of these happenings, and photos were posted here and here !
Please browse through the various pages of this website in order to find out all the details of travelling with us, and of course, if you have any questions, then we will be happy to answer them - just drop us a line !
Head of State: Kim Jong Un, Supreme Commander of the KPA, Chairman of the National Defense Commission, General Secretary of the Korean Workers' Party
Head of Government: Choe Yong Rim, Prime Minister
Ruling Party: Workers' Party of Korea
Currency : Won = 100 chon (approx 100Won = US$1) (this currency can not be used by visitors)
Currency for visitors : Euro, RMB, US$
Area: 120,540 sq km (80% mountainous)
Population: 24 million (2008 census)
Labour force: 7 million
Korea's history spans over 5000 years. Due to its strategic geographical location, neighbouring China, Japan and Russia, the peninsula has often been the field of battle of foreign powers and as now inextricably enmeshed in the global political climate.
What is the story behind the DPRK?
Japan occupied Korea from 1910 until the end of the Second World War whereupon the Russians took the surrender in the north and the Americans to the south on the 38th parallel. This was meant to be a temporary border however due to mistrust between Russian and America and the outbreak of the Cold War the line became permanent. Tension between the two halves led to the outbreak of the Korean War, 1950-1953 (Fatherland Liberation War) which has left the country divided until the present day.
The North is a country run on communist principles but dominated by the country's 'Juche Idea', a philosophy aimed at developing self-reliance. With the change in political direction of it's old comrades Russia and China, North Korea has become increasingly isolated and is seen as one of the most difficult countries to get a tourist visa for. It was widely believed in the outside world that strains caused by the food and economic crisis would inevitably lead to the opening of the country through reform or even implosion or war. However it is apparent that the DPRK is still maintaining it's steadfast attitude and optimists are seeing this decade as a change through dialogue with the South and the outside world.
Brief chronology of Korean history
918-1392 Koryo - first dynasty to unify the Korean peninsula
1392-1910 Yi (Chosun) Dynasty
1910-1945 Occupation by Japan
1945 World War II ends - Korea divided on the 38th parallel
1945 Founding of Workers' Party of Korea
1948 Democratic People's Republic of Korea established in the North, Republic of Korea in the South
1948 Kim Il Sung becomes president of DPRK and Syngman Rhee becomes president of the ROK
1950-53 Korean War
1994 Death of President Kim Il Sung
2011 Death of Leader Kim Jong Il
Juche
The Juche Era was set up 1912 when the 'sun' of Juche, Kim Il Sung,was born. It was enacted on the occasion of the third anniversary of his death. Juche 1 corresponds to 1912, therefore 2012 is also known as Juche 100.
Traditionally, one of its main mysteries has been how to gain access to this fascinating country. Well, travel to the DPRK has never been easier, and we are here to help you realise your dream of witnessing the world's least known and probably most misunderstood nation.
Our trips help you make a discovery that nobody else can provide. We lift the veil on the mystery, we challenge the opinions held by those who have not witnessed this nation for themselves, and we present the DPRK in a way that allows everyone to make up their own mind about its position in the world.
2012 was an extremely important year in the history of the DPRK. The nation celebrated the 100th anniversary of the birth of its founding father, the Eternal President and Great Leader Kim Il Sung. The country had been preparing for years for this event, and there were many kinds of events, celebrations and special occasions throughout the year in order to celebrate this milestone. We were there to witness some of these happenings, and photos were posted here and here !
Please browse through the various pages of this website in order to find out all the details of travelling with us, and of course, if you have any questions, then we will be happy to answer them - just drop us a line !