Matt Cooper on holidays in North Korea

07-01-2014 11:18PM

Wattle wrote: »

As long as you don't mind 20 years hard labor and eating rats you'll have a ball.

I saw a program about those camps recently. People often eat rats to prevent starvation but if they are found to be even looking for rats to eat they can be killed. It really is hell on earth. Everything about NK is just evil. They way your mans uncle was put to death back in December was just horrific.

humbert · 07-01-2014 11:21PM

6781 wrote: »

I saw a program about those camps recently. People often eat rats to prevent starvation but if they are found to be even looking for rats to eat they can be killed. It really is hell on earth. Everything about NK is just evil. They way your mans uncle was put to death back in December was just horrific.

I believe that turned out to be serious indictment of a lot of western news sources.

suicide_circus · 07-01-2014 11:29PM

Matt Cooper is best Cooper

COYW · 07-01-2014 11:29PM

humbert wrote: »

Right so they don't have access to the internet but watch Vincent Browne?

What, who says they don't have internet access? The upper echelon of the elite has the best of everything I would say. I know for a fact that you can connect to Chinese & South Korean mobile networks and radio stations in North Korean. The radios etc are "locked down" by the police to prevent the locals for accessing these stations.

michael999999 · 07-01-2014 11:32PM

Till be a holiday compared to working for O Brien anyway!

Wacker The Attacker · 07-01-2014 11:40PM

MidlandsM wrote: »

Maybe he likes to eat Dogs?

he is from cork after all ......

D'ya like dags?

dxhound2005 · 07-01-2014 11:46PM

COYW wrote: »

What, who says they don't have internet access? The upper echelon of the elite has the best of everything I would say. I know for a fact that you can get connect to Chinese & South Korean mobile networks and radio stations in North Korean. The radios etc are "locked down" by the police to prevent the locals for accessing these stations.

How can you lock down a radio? Shortwave broadcasts can be heard across thousands of miles even with very simple radios and according to this link plenty of clandestine listening goes on in North Korea.

http://newfocusintl.com/secret-item-found-in-every-north-korean-home/

In every North Korean home, there is at least one secret item” says Jung Young-chul* (age 34), who left Korea in 2012. He had a short-wave radio in the house and the family would secretly listen to South Korean broadcasts. To avoid being caught, they kept the radio hidden under a container for keeping rice.

COYW · 07-01-2014 11:55PM

dxhound2005 wrote: »

How can you lock down a radio? Shortwave broadcasts can be heard across thousands of miles even with very simple radios and according to this link plenty of clandestine listening goes on in North Korea.

http://newfocusintl.com/secret-item-found-in-every-north-korean-home/

In every North Korean home, there is at least one secret item” says Jung Young-chul* (age 34), who left Korea in 2012. He had a short-wave radio in the house and the family would secretly listen to South Korean broadcasts. To avoid being caught, they kept the radio hidden under a container for keeping rice.

The radios are modified to receive government stations only. The radios are subject to random inspections.

There is a book available called Nothing to Envy by Barbara Demick which gives a fascinating insight into life in North Korea from her perspective, a reporter for the LA times in Asia and NK defectors that she came to befriend. I found out about all this through reading it and many other books on the subject thereafter.

dxhound2005 · 08-01-2014 12:09AM

COYW wrote: »

The radios are modified to receive government stations only. The radios are subject to random inspections.

There is a book available called Nothing to Envy by Barbara Demick which gives a fascinating insight into life in North Korea from her perspective, a reporter for the LA times in Asia and NK defectors that she came to befriend. I found out about all this through reading it and many other books on the subject thereafter.

People have always found ways to get around the system in totalitarian societies like the Soviet Union was and it is happening in the DPRK. Otherwise there would be no point in the numerous broadcasts aimed at the country and there would be no need for the North to jam the frequencies.

http://www.northkoreatech.org/2010/06/10/radio-wars-3/

Guy:Incognito · 08-01-2014 12:14AM

Tombo2001 wrote: »

Its (arguably) the most unique country in the world from a cultural perspective, and perhaps he would find that interesting. Personally, I think it would be an absolutely fascinating place to spend a few days.

A few years, not so much.

Surely theres no shortage of desolate ****holes you could go to and actually see the place properly rather than what you are let see?

Guy:Incognito · 08-01-2014 12:16AM

jonny666 wrote: »

Seems he is over there with Dennis Rodman and Today FM were keen to stress that it is a personal visit. WTF would be bringing him over to that place. Its a strange one :pac:

http://www.independent.ie/irish-news/todayfms-matt-cooper-travels-to-north-korea-with-dennis-rodman-29891467.html

polydactyl wrote: »

Not a personal visit at all. I know a lad who was hired to go with him to edit a programme he is filming over there.

They didn't say personal visit, just that he's not there working for them.

"A TodayFM spokesperson confirmed the trip, however stressed Cooper was travelling in an independent capacity and not on a work assignment for the station."

EDIT. Bit late on that one

COYW wrote: »

I doubt it. I suspect that they are more worried about Cooper being identified as a journo by the North Koreans, if he traveled there declaring that he is not one. They are very guarded when it comes to journalists entering North Korea.

Surely the higher ups will have googled anyone in rodmans party (and probably anyone that applies to visit). I doubt a journalist with a media profile would be stupid enough to lie and then travel under their real name.

Rhys Essien · 08-01-2014 01:41AM

COYW wrote: »

I doubt it. I suspect that they are more worried about Cooper being identified as a journo by the North Koreans, if he traveled there declaring that he is not one. They are very guarded when it comes to journalists entering North Korea.

Here is a good short documentary from BBC Journalist/Reporter John Sweeney on life inside North Korea.He went in undercover as part of a tour group.It was on BBC not long ago.Well worth a watch.

Tombo2001 · 08-01-2014 10:52AM

Cantstandsya wrote: »

There are various travel agencies that run tours to the North.

I am not going to cast judgements on anyone but like others have said in this thread I find something very distasteful about turning the suffering of others into tourism/entertainment. I know it is in our nature to want to see these things but it still doesn't sit well with me.

I guess I would consider a visit to North Korea to be on the same level as those who head off to Johannesburg to stroll through townships and gawk at the inhabitants.

I can't see what cultural benefit would be had from a visit to North Korea, what you see and what you do is extremely tightly controlled on these trips. You will not be wandering freely experiencing North Korea, you will essentially be witnessing a theatre put on for your benefit by the rulers so that they can have some of your money.

You could apply that logic to any leisure travel in any developing nation in the world.

I remember visiting Thailand 20 years ago - the Lonely Planet trail was already very well developed then. I did an organised 'trek' from Chiang Mai, a group of 20 of us hiking from village to village with a few guides.

I've a very distinct memory of arriving into a particular very traditional village and a bunch of tourists just whipping out the cameras like there were machine gunds and running around photographing all the local people and houses indiscriminately for about 30 minutes, no questions asked. These were English and American tourists.....the chances of them doing the same thing in an English or American village are zero - the police would be called in.

The deal here is - you visit their country, you give them money. At least in a communist regime like North Korea, the government can ensure the country gets its pound of flesh from the tourist. Westerners backpack for years on end in India for 3 euros a day.

The cultural benefit - if there needs to be one - is that here is a country that the world knows nothing about. That can be a bad thing; **** happens behind closed doors. Tourism opens up the doors.

I'd be a lot more worried about over-tourism in places like Thailand or Peru than a handful of tourists in North Korea.

nelly17 · 08-01-2014 10:55AM

Id say at some point we'll see a book on it and Matt Cooper will be the Ghost Writer

imitation · 08-01-2014 11:36AM

Cantstandsya wrote: »

There are various travel agencies that run tours to the North.

I am not going to cast judgements on anyone but like others have said in this thread I find something very distasteful about turning the suffering of others into tourism/entertainment. I know it is in our nature to want to see these things but it still doesn't sit well with me.

I guess I would consider a visit to North Korea to be on the same level as those who head off to Johannesburg to stroll through townships and gawk at the inhabitants.

I can't see what cultural benefit would be had from a visit to North Korea, what you see and what you do is extremely tightly controlled on these trips. You will not be wandering freely experiencing North Korea, you will essentially be witnessing a theatre put on for your benefit by the rulers so that they can have some of your money.

I get your point of view, but I would still like to go myself (although I would be too terrified of a mistep, and any possible stigma of being over there)

Its one of the last examples of something that has been prevalent throughout human history, a Potemkin society, hopefully it will be extinct by future generations. It wouldn't be about seeing the real N. Korea, more about experience of being in a tightly controlled society and get some kind of a feel for what its like. I certainly wouldn't think its an enjoyable experience, or something worth laughing about.

The way I see it, the country is there, we can either ignore it or see for ourselves. I know you are directly supporting the reigme, but in the grand scheme of things, I don't think tourism will prop it up anything further, and if it gets to a point where there is so much tourism there is an impact, well its probably a positive sign something is changing.

Missymoohaa · 08-01-2014 05:33PM

Anyone know when Matt is back to work, that should be an interesting show!!

Burt Macklin · 08-01-2014 05:56PM

Dennis Rodman and Matt Cooper go to North Korea sounds like the weirdest road movie ever.

COYW · 08-01-2014 08:08PM

NiallMH93 wrote: »

Dennis Rodman and Matt Cooper go to North Korea sounds like the weirdest road movie ever.

Sky News showed clips of the basketball game today and a tour operator from the UK who was present was talking to them. Fatty didn't allow any of the cameras to film him. Rodman only played for one quarter.

woodoo · 08-01-2014 09:21PM

Missymoohaa wrote: »

Anyone know when Matt is back to work, that should be an interesting show!!

15 years

ciaeim · 08-01-2014 10:17PM

downonthefarm wrote: »

His wife will have to get the finger out now with the kids.
No more sitting on her bleached hole swilling wine

not a very nice thing to say about someone you dont even know

thoker · 09-01-2014 08:44PM

MidlandsM wrote: »

Maybe he likes to eat Dogs?

K.Flyer · 10-01-2014 02:46PM

Missymoohaa wrote: »

Anyone know when Matt is back to work, that should be an interesting show!!

Just heard on the radio (Today FM) That Matt will be giving an account of his visit to North Korea on his show this evening (Fri 10/01/13).
Should be interesting listening alright.

MiskyBoyy · 10-01-2014 08:17PM

Matt Coopers interview on North Korea from earlier today:

http://www.todayfm.com/player/podcasts/The_Last_Word_with_Matt_Cooper/The_Last_Word_with_Matt_Cooper/8705/2/Matt_Cooper_on_his_time_in_North_Korea

Khomeini · 13-01-2014 03:08AM

imitation wrote: »

I get your point of view, but I would still like to go myself (although I would be too terrified of a mistep, and any possible stigma of being over there)

Its one of the last examples of something that has been prevalent throughout human history, a Potemkin society, hopefully it will be extinct by future generations. It wouldn't be about seeing the real N. Korea, more about experience of being in a tightly controlled society and get some kind of a feel for what its like. I certainly wouldn't think its an enjoyable experience, or something worth laughing about.

The way I see it, the country is there, we can either ignore it or see for ourselves. I know you are directly supporting the reigme, but in the grand scheme of things, I don't think tourism will prop it up anything further, and if it gets to a point where there is so much tourism there is an impact, well its probably a positive sign something is changing.

You'll have no issues what so ever.

You are more likely to be detained in the U.S. than you are in DPRK.

If you want any info on a trip etc. let me know.

BuilderPlumber · 15-01-2014 12:17AM

mloc123 wrote: »

Likewise, I would love to spend a week.

I have heard stories of the arranged visits for tourists, to say they are staged would be an understatement.

I'd say that as an arranged tourist, you'd go there, they'd really look after you and you'd come back thinking the place was paradise. You'd be planked into their finest hotel, you'd be given 5 star food, good wine and there'd be a lot of cultural shows put on for you. Pro-Kim propaganda would be given to you. You'd probably only see the rich part of Pyongyang and the rich hinterland. You'd be told what is best and the bad aspects of South Korea and capitalism from the West would be used as part of propaganda in the cultural aspects shown. You would feel very safe, very welcome and you'd find the authorities very friendly.

You'd come home saying that it does not deserve all the poor press. You would be shown a fake version of the country (let's face it, all tourism does show us a rosy version of the country you visit but NK would take that to extremes and would show their tourists heaven while hiding all the violence and repression that the regime impose on the people).

Khomeini · 15-01-2014 03:40AM

BuilderPlumber wrote: »

I'd say that as an arranged tourist, you'd go there, they'd really look after you and you'd come back thinking the place was paradise. You'd be planked into their finest hotel, you'd be given 5 star food, good wine and there'd be a lot of cultural shows put on for you. Pro-Kim propaganda would be given to you. You'd probably only see the rich part of Pyongyang and the rich hinterland. You'd be told what is best and the bad aspects of South Korea and capitalism from the West would be used as part of propaganda in the cultural aspects shown. You would feel very safe, very welcome and you'd find the authorities very friendly.

You'd come home saying that it does not deserve all the poor press. You would be shown a fake version of the country (let's face it, all tourism does show us a rosy version of the country you visit but NK would take that to extremes and would show their tourists heaven while hiding all the violence and repression that the regime impose on the people).

What country would whisk visitors around to deprived parts?

If you visit the U.S. with a tour guide do you get taken to the mass poverty stricken areas? Do you get shown their prisons system which is nothing short of a business?

I saw poverty in DPRK. They don't pretend they are rich in Western economic sense.

JohnCleary · 15-01-2014 09:43AM

conorhal wrote: »

I have to agree. People that do it, do so only for the bragging rights, it's akin to people paying a few pennies in the last century to take a tour of Bedlam (the main insane asylum in London) and stare at the disturbed, 'because it was educational'. No it wasn't, it was just a voyeuristic freakshow.

Hold on, there's an insane asylum in London in which the public can visit? Any more info?

conorhal · 15-01-2014 10:57AM

JohnCleary wrote: »

Hold on, there's an insane asylum in London in which the public can visit? Any more info?

I'm talking about the Victorian era (though the practice extended back to the 1600's:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bethlem_Royal_Hospital

ZiabR · 15-01-2014 10:58AM

Khomeini wrote: »

You are more likely to be detained in the U.S. than you are in DPRK.

Another ridiculous statement. You have a choice in the U.S. You can go to the U.S with no "Handlers" and do what you want when you want.

In NK you don't have a choice, every visitor gets a "Handler" whether they want one or not.

How can any tourist get a REAL view of a country if they are essentially only shown what that country wants them to see?

Khomeini · 15-01-2014 08:24PM

logik wrote: »

Another ridiculous statement. You have a choice in the U.S. You can go to the U.S with no "Handlers" and do what you want when you want.

In NK you don't have a choice, every visitor gets a "Handler" whether they want one or not.

How can any tourist get a REAL view of a country if they are essentially only shown what that country wants them to see?

No it's not. Compare the ration of detainees visitor in the U.S. that of DPRK.

I never had 'handlers'. I had several Koreans who dedicated their time to show me their country with me. I am grateful to them still for their diligence.

Matt Cooper on holidays in North Korea

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