Defectors' perspective: Why am I negative about tourism to North Korea? (part2)

Refugees studying in Teach North Korean Refugees Global Education answered questions about tourism to North Korea. Part 2 quotes several refugees who expressed opposition to tourism to North Korea in several ways. ― ED.

Nina (Escaped North Korea in 2011, Arrived in South Korea in 2011).

I'm ashamed that people go to North Korea, it is so disappointing. The trips organized or approved by North Korea only show what North Korea wants them to see. Tourists might see 1 percent of North Korea, but they won't see how most North Koreans live. North Korea is a big propaganda machine, so everything they do will have propaganda in mind. They won't allow anything that will embarrass them unless they think they can get some foreign aid out of it.

The area I lived is in the far west; there are many fields producing rice. It is like the countryside there. Some foreign tourists visited there. All of the foreigners would stay in the city, in a nice hotel reserved for them. There are human rights abuses nearby, but they can't see that.

So many foreigners and media are fascinated by the Mass Games, but they don't see that so many young people suffer physically and mentally, and are starving, but they must keep going through drills for the amusement of the North Korean government and visitors. Because of the money, the North Korean government keeps holding those festivals. Foreigners are helping to subsidize that abuse.

Mi-hyang (Escaped North Korea in 2002, Arrived in South Korea in 2010).

I understand foreigners want to see things there. But if they want to get to know North Korean refugees, they should meet North Koreans who have escaped to South Korea. They can't get a deep understanding by going to North Korea, it will be superficial. Business people and academics visiting might see a little more, but many of them are so supportive of North Korea or they don't want to lose their business or academic deals, so they will be like blind people allowing North Korea to lead them around.

Even if oppression is right before their eyes, they will ignore it or find an excuse to explain it away. They have become part of North Korea's killing machine.

I'm opposed to any money going to a regime run by a dictator. It is better to isolate and starve the country to death. Some people hope that some of the money will trickle down to the people, but North Korea is not a normal country. There are better ways for people to learn about North Korea. They can have much deeper conversations with North Koreans who have escaped and can give their real opinions. I understand people are curious, but they won't see the real North Korea.

Nayeon (Escaped North Korea in 2011, Arrived in South Korea in 2012).

I envy them. I can't go there, I don't have the freedom to do so. Unfortunately, I can't go back because I would be in danger. I don't know what would happen to me, but I would be caught, probably sent to prison or killed.

How can such a system be defended or subsidized? North Korea's regime must be destroyed before people go there. Tourists are having fun while people nearby are forced to be slaves for them or getting tortured.

Hyuna (Escaped North Korea in 2009, Arrived in South Korea in 2015).

It is so dangerous. They can become hostages to the regime. I can't understand why they want to go there. Even if they go, they can't see the real North Korea. They get monitored, they can't know the reality. There is a peaceful mood, but North Korea doesn't respect the basic rights of individuals, so if relations break down, then anybody who goes there is at risk of being held hostage. They can go, but I wish they would not.

What is more important than tourism is for Kim Jong-un to leave his cave more often. I hate it because it can make him look like a normal leader, but it is also good because there will be more opportunities for him to be embarrassed on the international stage. People can see he is just a little guy who got lucky, that his power comes from his grandfather, and that he doesn't have any magical powers.

I was so happy to see some North Korean refugees protesting against Kim Jong-un when he was in Vietnam. I wanted to cry when one screamed at Kim Jong-un that he should stop blocking her from seeing her family. It is important for Kim Jong-un to leave his country, and I hope more North Korean refugees and other people will protest against him, and that the next time he comes to South Korea, people should be allowed to protest against him.

Yuna (Escaped North Korea in 2006, Arrived in South Korea in 2006).

I respect everyone's freedom to go where they want, but I'm also biased about this because I have met many people who have gone to North Korea. For some reason, they get surprised when I respond negatively to their trips to North Korea. Some only visit Pyongyang, then they return home saying, "North Korea is a great place. I don't understand why North Koreans escape." They think they know, but they are blind and ignorant. I am really bothered by people like that. I ask if they know why people escape from North Korea.

It is an abnormal country that demands loyalty and controls people. I was loyal, my family was loyal, and I believed what they said. The turning point for me was when I saw some South Korean dramas. I realized that South Koreans have freedom to think. I had to risk my life to get out of there, and there are people going there like it is a vacation.

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.