N. Korea is Whack

July 20, 2010

What a crazy day: exploring the distaster that is North Korea only to then spend the evening soaking up the eye candy that is Seoul.

Learning about how horrible N. Korea really is through an actual defector and a documentary film was a sobering experience indeed. We learned about the mandatory public executions, the millions who are starving, the concentration camps that still exist and what life is like for those who live there both rich and poor. Shocking. Feeling the tension at the Joint Security Area was awakening to say the least - we had to wear shoes we could run in, had to follow a strict dress code and had to sign a UN waiver saying we may get shot.

I certainly appreciated the vibrant art and night scene of Seoul afterwards!




The free laser show that takes place every half hour on the Cheonggyecheon River. It was an old freeway that was restored into this amazing community space, great for strolling, running splashing about and picnicing.


A couple enjoying the 2 hour ongoing free art exhibit, Fractal Flowers on the Cheonggyecheon River.

My new partner in crime Ed and I cooling down on our night walk around downtown Seoul. There were people everywhere splashing about and enjoying the evening.

One pissed off North Korean soldier keeping his distance from the Panmunjeom - the building were N. Korea and S. Korea go to have their meetings. Sometimes the soldiers come down to look at the tourists. We were only allowed in for a a few minutes.

I am actually standing inside N. Korea -ohhh!

Here is where our fine leaders meet to discuss N. Korea's use of Nukes and such. Those are S. Korean soldiers in there keeping us safe. The soldiers aren't allowed to intermingle after the axe murder incident of 1976.

This is me spying on North Korea from the Odusan Unification Observatory.