North Korea

Visiting the DPRK requires a visa approved by the State. Fortunately for me, I have a good mate who runs a North Korea tour operator, Uri Tours, and he pretty much orchestrated the whole thing.

I paid and filled out some details for the tour and the last step was to arrange a flight to Beijing. From Beijing, I would then fly into Pyongyang via a flight booked months in advance by the operator. All guides, hotels, food, itinerary and tickets were pre-arranged. Simple.

Yes. From the moment you land in DPRK - you are guided around the country and you are encouraged not to depart from the group or itinerary.

You will see clear flaws in their political bias based on your own exposure to international media. The trope “you will only see what they want you to see” does not hold much weight because it's vastly different to what you hear on media outlets like Vice - and that is only through the indirect exposure to the many things that surround you.

Another reason that you should not wander off in your own journey is out respect for the guides. You are their responsibility and if you were in trouble with the state whilst on their watch - then they too will be ridiculed and probably their tour operator in effect. Simply put, don't go chasing conspiracy theories and be respectful during your stay.

Hero banner says yes. I had no issues with taking photos whenever I felt it was appropriate. I was never told off or had my camera checked. Even taking photos of the locals seemed fine - but if it was too overt then you should just ask for permission.

There are some general rules:

• No photos of military (can ask permission)

• Do not take photos of construction sites

• Capture the entire monuments of the Great Leaders (ie: no cropping of body)

You can try sneak some shots but it is risky and can be uncomfortable. If spotted, the guides may request that you delete the photo - which will also make you less popular with the guides and the tour group. I just needed to ask first whenever I was unsure and it was fine.

There are some places that have full photo restrictions like in the Victorious War Museum, Supermarket and International Friendship Exhibition to potentially avoid viral scrutiny.

The tour operator will remind you on a list of things not to bring:

• No religious materials (Bibles, Quran)

• No written or digital material regarding Korea (North or South) ie: Lonely Planet

• No lens with a focal length greater or equal to 150mm

• No clothing with political slogans

• GPS-specific devices

• No drones

If you bring any of these, you are at your own risks. They will simply be confiscated - someone in the past has had their laptop taken because it contained some of these materials in there.

Not directly and not nearly as much as you'd think. Your money like anywhere else will eventually filter it's way into the economy - whether that is to pay the tour operators, hotels, petrol, guides, drivers and restaurants.

DPRK tourism operates under the State but is run by foreign language experts at a profit. There are several tourism operators in DPRK that compete against each other - PKITC being one of them. The majority of your money will very much go into the livelihood of the people organising and running the tour.