UriTours

This is John Dantzler-Wolfe, Operations Chief at Uri Tours. In all fairness, Andrea had signed off by the time you asked this question. It was pretty late in Pyongyang. I am answering this question from our headquarters in the US. This is an important question and something that we are inevitably asked as DPRK tour operators.

Ultimately, if you believe that there is a peaceful solution to the difficulties that plague the Korean peninsula, then cultural isolation and chest thumping are not solutions because they tend to lead to misunderstanding and violence. Furthermore, economic sanctions really can't get much tighter. All of these pressures can only serve to make matters worse for the people of the DPRK.

So from the perspective of a business that believes that the people of the DPRK deserve as much attention as their government in the media and otherwise, we believe that cultural dialogue is a key component of fostering understanding and constructive progress between North Korea and the rest of the world.

You are correct in saying that tourism in the DPRK is highly restricted and that we only get to see a certain pre-approved cross section of locations and situations. However, those who travel there frequently know that there are also many unexpected, genuine and unscripted moments between western tourists and DPRK citizens. In addition, while we obviously can't audit where our funds go, we do know that a substantial portion of the money goes to actual everyday working people. We have seen how our business helps rank and file members of the companies we work with. These are every day North Koreans with families and regular everyman concerns. It's just not true that everyone we meet is some sort of secret agent or spy.

The bottom line is whether you believe that cultural exchange and dialogue is important for helping the people of North Korea. In addition, there are many preconceived notions that westerners hold about the DPRK that should be tested by an actual trip to the country itself. We believe that cultural contact and dialogue is constructive for both the west and the DPRK, and we also believe that our service is an important conduit for such dialogue.

I hope that Andrea will be able to sign on again before she leaves the DPRK, so please keep the conversation going.

Starting this year, Koryolink has provided the option of purchasing a local SIM and accessing the internet, although the prices are pretty high for a one-time visitor.

I do need to be respectful as I am in a foreign land. I would be the same way in any other country, even my own. But I'm not afraid to talk about my opinions on matters I know, which is business, here in the context of tourism.

I'm not sure. They may be reading this, but they're not looking over my shoulder at this moment, if that's the question. But if you have access to the internet, it is not very censored, in that you can access facebook, twitter, etc., all of which you cannot in China.

Never. People are warm and very curious about foreigners. They will stare at first, and if you wave, they wave back. Soldiers as well, they're generally friendly, at least the ones at the DMZ.