"We know that North Korea would greatly benefit by relations with Taiwan," says president Chang. "The problem is that there are extremely strong ties with China. Not only do we look to China as being a chief supplier of fiscal and food assistance, we also share deep experiences as peoples in a common struggle.
"That means relations with Taiwan will grow, but these ties will be subtle so as not to offend Big Brother."
NOTE: Curtis Smith (史康迪) is a freelance writer who once lived in Shenyang, Liaoning Province, China.If you're goingTour options:
Koryo Express offers three basic tours, which include tickets, travel, hotels, meals, translators, and guides: the 8-day (NT$35,000), the 11-day (NT$44,000) and the 16-day (NT$53,000). The 8- and 11-day tours both offer 4 days and 3 nights in North Korea with various tours of north-east China. The 16-day tour offers 5 days and 4 nights in Korea and an extensive tour of the Chinese Manchurian provinces of Liaoning, Jilin and Heilungchang.
All trips include:
A trip to the famous border village Panmunjom, where the Korean War truce was signed. That's also where you can stare across the DMZ at tourists within spitting distance who are looking at you from the South Korean side.A ride on Pyongyang's 38km subway that was dug 110m to 150m underground to shelter the population from possible nuclear attacks by US imperialists.A trip the scared Myoshan Mountain; a trip to the Macau Casino.Restrictions:
No journalists, spys, US ro South Korean citizens. Korean should not be spoken. Normal visa applications usually take nine days.Food served:
Usually a mix of South Korea and Chinese styles. (Originally too hot and salty for foreign tastes, but has and been improved and adapted over the years.)Background info:
For three years, Koryo Express has been sending tourists from Taiwan to North Korea.In the past year it arranged 3,000 visits, and it is expecting even stronger growth in the coming year with the ongoing political changes. Koryo Express is located (across from Taipei City Hall) at 6F-1, No. 342 Keelung Rd, Sec 1, Taipei. Tel:2723-3836; Fax:2725-3154.
RSS