Defectors' perspective: Why am I positive about tourism to North Korea? (part1)

Refugees studying in Teach North Korean Refugees Global Education answered questions about tourism to North Korea. Part 1 quotes several refugees who expressed support for tourism in several ways. ― ED.

Eunji (Escaped North Korea: 2017; Arrived in South Korea: 2018).

I support the idea of tourism to North Korea, for two main reasons. One, North Koreans should see foreigners. Ordinary people can't meet foreigners and aren't allowed to talk to them. If foreigners aren't allowed to go there, then it could seem to North Koreans that there are only North Koreans in this world.

I was a nurse, so foreigners visited our hospital sometimes. Only a few people were authorized to talk to foreigners visiting, and everyone knew to be very careful about what they said. Even the ones who couldn't talk could be aware of the outside world, not just the evil foreigners in North Korean propaganda. It encourages people to open their minds.

I welcome tourism to North Korea for a second reason: Kim Jong-un. Many people only think about Kim Jong-un when the topic of North Korea comes up, everyday people in North Korea don't get mentioned. I hope they can realize we are the same people. It is good for foreigners to see everyday North Koreans, they might even think about helping them.

Jihyun (Escaped North Korea: 2008; Arrived in South Korea: 2018).

I have no idea about tourism to North Korea. It seems strange that someone wants to visit the Disneyland section of a torture chamber, but it is their choice, their money, they can spend it as they wish. It is not my business.

Many people discussed Moon Jae-In sending fruit to North Korea. My mom and I talked about it. We agreed that even if most of the fruit goes to the government, at least some of it may reach the people in North Korea. And I guess the same is true of tourism, that there are many problems, but there can still be some benefits.

Kim Jong-un hates getting criticized for the country's human rights record. It isn't because he cares about people. It seems that he is upset because people are blaming him for killing cockroaches. He thinks he is so important, so he doesn't understand why people are criticizing him for killing useless cockroaches. Opening the country means he will have to continue confronting international criticism, so eventually things could open up and tourism can have a role with that.

Ken (Escaped North Korea: 2010; Arrived in South Korea: 2010).

I really hate Kim Jong-un and the regime, but we can't let our personal feelings determine policy. Some say tourism benefits the regime, but it isn't only about the regime. Opening North Korea has had some positive benefits for people.

For example, there are fewer public executions than before. North Korea clearly hates criticism internationally, so they try to hide their brutal treatment of people and have less harsh treatment than before. International relations with North Korea can slowly push the regime to raise its standards. Even the guides, who must push propaganda, get exposed to outside information. The churches are fake and they have fake services for foreigners, but even in those cases, some North Koreans get exposed to ideas that are illegal.

Soohyun (Escaped North Korea in 2011; Arrived in South Korea in 2011 ).

I support tourists going to North Korea. Most of the money probably goes to the government, I don't doubt that. If North Korea gets money from tourists, then it might be less diabolical in squeezing money and labor out of North Koreans.

Tourists won't see the real North Korea, I wish they would be honest about that rather than trying to make excuses. They think the guides are giving them inside information, but I can assure you that everything they say has been approved.

Even naive people must see something is wrong. They may not admit it to others, but anyone who goes to North Korea must know something is wrong. Can't they see something is wrong with a place when people can't even leave and get shot if they get caught? America has a problem with people trying to break in, North Korea has a problem with the people who want to get out.

Gun-mo (Escaped North Korea in 2009, Arrived in South Korea in 2010)

I welcome tourism to North Korea. Emotionally, I hate the idea of people going to North Korea, especially those people who don't have a deep understanding or if they are ideological communists. People who misunderstand North Korea should see North Korea, so they can face the reality of North Korea's human rights, the control of their own freedom when they are there.

They will see they can't go anywhere they want. Some of my Canadian friends went to North Korea. They were only allowed to see statutes. They were saying nice things about North Korea, but they were also complaining that they couldn't go anywhere alone and that they were being monitored. I asked them what they thought North Koreans must feel, living like that their entire lives, but they aren't free to leave the country as my Canadian friends could do so easily.

North Koreans are in a cage. Foreigners visiting there can give North Koreans the opportunity to meet them, it can spark their curiosity about the outside world.

Casey Lartigue Jr., co-founder of the Teach North Korean Refugees Global Education Center, was the 2017 winner of the "Social Contribution" Prize from the Hansarang Rural Cultural Foundation and the winner of the Global Award from Challenge Korea 2017. TNKR co-founder Eunkoo Lee translated most of the remarks of refugees from Korean to English.