So, I’ve got a chance to go to North Korea for a few days in November. But, I’m having some moral qualms about it…
I mean, in a way, I’d be fascinated to see North Korea (although I’m aware that it won’t be the “real” North Korea, just what the Gov’t wants me to see… but even that would be fascinating, like a post-modern Rome, so to speak).
However, I have serious qualms about my money being used to support such a brutal regime.
Final question: if I do go, shall I wear my LVMI Austrian-Economist series t-shirts? “Free markets or serfdom”, anyone?
I wouldn’t worry too much about if your money is going to be supporting their government. Their economy has already collapsed, it’s only a matter of time before that regime caves in on itself.
I recently read an article in my county’s local paper about an American teacher who went to the DPRK to teach. She said that in her hotel lobby, there were actually all of these newsletters saying how in capitalist countries, people are starving, and that Americans might even be cannibals.
It depends very much on the motivation of your visit. If it’s for work I’d say go, keep a low profile but open eyes. One of my contractors went to the DPRK a few times to repair Western-made machines the locals don’t know how to fix (because the regime finds hiring people from abroad to do the job, pay them and send them on their way more convenient than teaching the locals anything beyond the bare minimum). He described it as a surreal place. When he’s doing his job he’s left completely alone inside the workshop. This is of course to keep contact with local workers to the bare minimum: who knows what he may be telling them?
If you want to go on a fact gathering mission, the above stands: avoid antagonizing the locals, keep your mouth shut at all times but your eyes open. If you somehow manage to keep your mobile and camera (they are often confiscated from foreigners upon arrival) be very careful how you use them. Also remember DPRK officials don’t like their propaganda works being exported, although sometimes rules get inexplicably relaxed and you may be allowed (or even encouraged) to take propaganda posters, postcards etc home with you.
One last thing: do not attempt to make contact with the locals unless your guide allows you to do so. While you will get away with a stern warning, the local you talked to will be “debriefed”, Soviet style, even if he/she didn’t understand a lick of what you said. No need to make their lives even more miserable.
