Private DMZ Tour with North Korean Defector +North Korean Lunch
5.0
15 Ratings
Hapjeong-dong
Join a private DMZ tour with a North Korean defector. Savor authentic North Korean cuisine and hear captivating stories. Book now for a unique experience.
Duration: 8 hours
Cancellation: 1 day learn more
Highlights
  • Hapjeong Station - (Pick-up point)Hapjeong Station Exit 2.
    We will meet other tourists here!
    The departure time is 11:05 AM. Please make sure not to be late.

While traveling by car, guide Jun will briefly explain the history of the Korean Peninsula and the DMZ. Feel free to ask him about Korean history and any personal questions

Examples: What is the most popular movie in North Korea? Can N Koreans watch South Korean movies? What is the reason for defection? etc…

  • 46-12 - North Korean Local Food Restaurant (Operated by North Korean defector)

Experience lunch at a North Korean cuisine restaurant run by a real North Korean defector woman. This restaurant, one of the few in Korea, offers at least four authentic N Korean dishes. For instance, “Artificial Meat Rice” is one of the most famous dishes in North Korea. Why do they call it “Artificial Meat”? Hint: it’s related to the hardships of life in impoverished North Korea. You can enjoy fascinating stories about North Korean cuisine firsthand from our N Korean defector guide
(It takes about 30 minutes by car from Seoul to the restaurant)

  • Odusan Unification Tower - (Optional)Experience real North Korean villages just 2km away. Through binoculars, observe glimpses of real North Koreans’ lives and see propaganda buildings erected by the North Korean government. This tour features a defector guide who will provide detailed insights into life there. For example, you can also see the Kim Il Sung Memorial Hall, where brainwashing and loyalty education sessions for North Korean citizens are held every Saturday. Listen to guide Jun’s stories of North Korea and his remarkable defection journey at the café on the 3rd floor of the observatory. You can ask him: How many approved hairstyles does a North Korean man have? What is university life like in North Korea? and hear Jun’s challenging escaping journey in China and Vietnam
  • Aegibong Peace Eco Park - (Optional) Located across the Imjin River, Aegibong peace EcoPark is a picturesque mountain ridge adjacent to North Korea. It holds historical significance as a site of intense battles during the Korean War. Here, you can observe the Kaepunggun area of North Korea and various propaganda structures installed by the N Korean authorities to enhance agricultural productivity among farmers. Tour guide Jun will personally translate the propaganda slogans for you. Additionally, you can hear fascinating stories from Jun about a N Korean man who swam across the Imjin River to defect. (*Please note that this area is a military operation zone, and all visitors must carry their passports)
  • Imjingak Pyeonghoa-Nuri Park - This park was created for the refugees who fled North Korea during the Korean War. You’ll also see the “Bridge of Freedom,” temporarily constructed by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers in 1953 to release 12,773 S Korean prisoners of war after the war ended. Moreover, you can witness the destroyed railway bridge and the railway leading to North Korea, symbolizing the aspiration for Korean reunification. Capture both the pain and hope of history at this significant place and take photos to preserve the memories. This path may also be the route Jun, your guide, will take back to his hometown once the Korean Peninsula is unified
  • Hapjeong Station - (Drop-off location)

Our tour concludes here!
This station provides quick access to central areas of Seoul such as Itaewon and Yongsan

What's Included
  • All admission fees
  • In-vehicle air conditioning
  • Tea and coffee
  • Lunch
What's Not Included
  • Travel insurance
  • Hotel Drop off
Additional Information

This tour is the only one led by an English-speaking North Korean defector. Through Jun, who arrived in South Korea in 2017, you’ll experience contrasting historical perspectives of the Korean Peninsula and gain a deeper cultural and political understanding of North Korea than any other tour can offer.

Moreover, only on this tour can you experience North Korean food at a restaurant run by actual defectors and hear fascinating stories hidden behind the dishes.

Engage in conversations about life in North Korea while enjoying scenic views of real North Korean villages. Embark on a unique journey through Jun’s life in North Korea and his remarkable defection story on this small-group private tour.

  • The travel time by vehicle is already included in the total duration of the tour
    • Please bring your passport just in case!
Location
Hapjeong Station
Hapjeong Subway Station Exit 2
Cancellation Policy

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

Customer Ratings
5.0
(15 Ratings)
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_c4057co
Jun 5, 2024
Authentic, Emotional DMZ Tour - Highly Recommended! - Experiencing the DMZ up close and personal, right next to the North Korean border, was incredibly immersive and detailed. The lunch was surprisingly authentic and delicious. The history shared was deeply moving. Jun, our guide, has a big heart and treated everyone with great respect, making the journey smooth and compassionate. I would definitely do this tour again.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Erik_r
May 27, 2024
This tour was the top highlight of our 2-week trip to South Korea. - We were looking for a private tour of the DMZ with an English-speaking North Korean defector, to hear the person's life story. At first sight, we noticed that Jun's business was recently established with not so many reviews. However, there were no other options to accommodate our specific needs. We asked Jun to customize our tour to include the 3rd tunnel, and we were able to do so at an additional cost. On the tour day, he was waiting for us in the lobby of the hotel. We were very interested in hearing Jun's life story. - How was his life in North Korea? - Why did he decide to defect? - How did he get from North Korea - How is life now in South Korea? We had plenty of time to talk on the tour and get answers to these questions in the car. We had a delicious brunch with genuine North Korean food and drove to observatories to look through binoculars at the North Korean side. The 3rd tunnel we added as an extra (not included in Jun's original tour - performed by another company) was not so impressive. Jun is very open-minded, approachable, honest, and relaxed. We could talk about anything and his English was excellent (one of the best we talked to on our trip). If you want to know a North Korean person on a personal and deeper level packaged with an interesting sightseeing of DMZ - this tour is a must!
Review provided by Viator
Kathleen
May 12, 2024
Nth Korean defector DMZ tour - Jun provided a really fascinating and unique tour; giving us insights into the Nth Korean culture. He was very open about the differences between Nth and South. The car was very comfortable. He was punctual and polite. We enjoyed a delicious traditional meal prepared by a beautiful woman who is also Nth Korean. Highly recommend this tour Kathleen
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Thomassy195vq
May 11, 2024
HIGHLY RECOMMEND! - HIGHLY RECOMMEND! This is a once-in a life time experience and the best tour I have experienced. Jun shared his insights as a North Korean defector; he opened up about his life in North Korea and shared his incredible story of resilience escaping North Korea, as well as his assimilation into life in South Korea. We shared a delicious meal together at a North Korean restaurant, and Jun answered all of our questions during the DMZ tour. This unique experience is not something you could experience with a regular South Korean tour guide - I can’t recommend this tour more highly!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Ivan_s
May 7, 2024
Best tour of my life! - I usually don’t write reviews but there are no words to describe this tour. Jun is amazing guide who provides everything as written and beyond. North Korean restaurant is very good, as well as all places we visited. But having the opportunity to speak with Jun during the whole trip is simply amazing. Jun and this tour will remain in my memory for life. I would recommend this tour as a must. It was the highlight of my whole Asian holidays. Big thank you Jun!
Review provided by Viator
H8836jpdavidw
Apr 29, 2024
Incredibly Unique Authentic Experience - With one day left in South Korea, my family wanted to see the DMZ. North Korea has long been a fascination of mine. We failed to find a tour that would offer us anything more interesting than what we could experience by renting a car and doing it ourselves. On a whim, I found "Jun" on instagram. Not really knowing if it would be the real deal, we had nothing to lose so we asked him to pick us up the next morning. Immediately upon meeting him, we realized we were in for an incredible day. I think we asked him 200+ questions in the 7 hours that we spent with him. What you see on the tour is cool, but the value here is what you feel and hear from "Jun". His ability to tell his story with authenticity is a rare gift. This was one of the top ten most unique experiences of my life.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Flyer273322
Apr 23, 2024
Exceptional guide & tour - This tour was so fantastic! Jun is a wonderful guide and a really kind, awesome person. His perspective and story is extremely unique, insightful and interesting. Our family truly enjoyed the day and we highly recommend this tour!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Rachel19912024
Apr 18, 2024
Groundbreaking Company + Great Food - I've volunteered in the North Korean human rights sphere for over a decade. I've been to the DMZ multiple times, but this tour in particular was a stand-out experience. Jun is a top-tier host who can provide context and insight that other guides simply can't. Excellent choice of restaurant for lunch, too!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
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up to 4 guests
1 Adult
July 2024
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