Wattle wrote: » As long as you don't mind 20 years hard labor and eating rats you'll have a ball.
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.
humbert wrote: » Right so they don't have access to the internet but watch Vincent Browne?
MidlandsM wrote: » Maybe he likes to eat Dogs? he is from cork after all ......
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
NiallMH93 wrote: » Dennis Rodman and Matt Cooper go to North Korea sounds like the weirdest road movie ever.
Missymoohaa wrote: » Anyone know when Matt is back to work, that should be an interesting show!!
downonthefarm wrote: » His wife will have to get the finger out now with the kids. No more sitting on her bleached hole swilling wine
MidlandsM wrote: » Maybe he likes to eat Dogs?
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.
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.
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).
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.
JohnCleary wrote: » Hold on, there's an insane asylum in London in which the public can visit? Any more info?
Khomeini wrote: » You are more likely to be detained in the U.S. than you are in DPRK.
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?
