Private DMZ Tour with Defector

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: 24 hours
Highlights
  • 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 - 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
  • 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
  • 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.

  • *Please bring your passport just in case!
Location
Hapjeong Station
Hapjeong Station(line 2, line 6)
Cancellation Policy

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

Customer Ratings
5.0
(37 Ratings)
5 stars
4 stars
3 stars
2 stars
1 star
Thomas_m
Aug 12, 2024
An amazingly intimate insight into North Korea - Having a small tour of the Observation Tower and the DMZ was probably worth the price on its own. However, the whole experience was lifted by hearing the story of living and defecting from North Korea. Hearing this from Jun, someone who is very articulate and open about the incredible journey he went on to get to the position he is in now, was our highlight of our time in Seoul.
Review provided by Viator
Luv2travel00270
Jul 30, 2024
Absolutely Amazing - This was, without question, the most compelling experience we've ever had from a tour. Jun shared his powerful story of growing up in North Korea, making the decision to risk everything to escape, and enduring tremendous hardship to get to South Korea. His courage, resilience, and bravery are inspiring, and we feel blessed that he shared his story with our family. We've had plenty of tours around the world, some good and some not so good. None compare to this one.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Stephdi6642hl
Jul 28, 2024
A Personalized, Meaningful Journey - I’ve been on tour buses before and they are informative, but sometimes I’m just not in the mood for crowds, strict schedules, and noise. I had been wanting to see the DMZ, and a personal tour sounded like something that would align with my goals. I found Jun’s tour and saw all of the great reviews, so I decided to give it a try. This was by far my best day in South Korea. Jun was punctual, accommodating, and very knowledgable - Both in history and rich personal experience. His story was like a book that I couldn’t put down. I had so many questions and he answered them honestly and thoughtfully. His natural conversation skills made it a pleasant and educational experience. I had no idea that historical tours could be so calm and peaceful, yet fascinating at the same time. It made me appreciate the freedoms that we have and it made me profoundly empathetic to the people suffering the evils of some parts of this world. If you’re wondering whether or not it’s worth spending the extra money, please just book the tour. It was culturally rich and exceedingly better than any tour bus I’ve ever been on. Thank you, Jun, for the experience of a lifetime!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Ingrid_d
Jul 24, 2024
Incredible tour, humanizing DMZ - - eating and learning about North Korean food. I appreciated June’s narrative regarding food scarcity and what North Koreans have to do to survive if they don’t want to starve to death. - visiting DMZ with June and having him explain some of the art pieces currently shown there. If he wasn’t there I may have overlooked the small details. Wow!!! What a difference to have him interpret the details! - June’s personal story regarding his escape. Not only was him and his mother brave but they are the a testament to human resiliency. I’m so impressed with how positive they remain after so much suffering. Hearing his story humanizes the visit to DMZ in a deeper level. - if you want to experience DMZ to understand the true meaning behind this place and how the separation has affected the Korean people THiS is the tour.
Review provided by Viator
Adam_s
Jul 20, 2024
Great tour - highly recommend - Great tour. We went to a North Korean restaurant and then headed to DMV. It was very interesting to hear stories of escape from North Korea and a great way to learn more about the DMZ and Korean history.
Review provided by Viator
James_v
Jul 18, 2024
Great tour of the DMZ and a unique opportunity to hear the story of a North Korean defector - I highly recommend Jun's tour of the DMZ. Jun shared his incredible story and provided the unique perspective of a North Korean defector. This tour provides the rare opportunity to eat truly authentic North Korean food. Jun's tour was a highlight of my trip and something I will never forget.
Review provided by Viator
Q6546umpeterf
Jul 16, 2024
Very good - Very interesting and personal tour - recommendation! Very good food and interesting insight! Jun is a brave fellow!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Steven_d
Jul 14, 2024
Fantastic Journey! - By far the most memorable experience I’ve had on a tour! If you’re contemplating whether or not to book this, stop contemplating and just book it. Jun took us through his personal journey as a defector from North Korea as he guided us through various locations within the DMZ. It was such a humbling experience and incredible to hear such a harrowing story. We were also able to experience lunch at a traditional North Korean restaurant owned and run by another defector that was charming to say the least. This was absolutely an awesome experience!
Review provided by Viator
James_m
Jul 6, 2024
The most impactful way to experience the DMZ - I will be thinking about this tour for a long time. If you are reading this review stop reading and just book it. The guide has the most incredible story and there is no better way to experience the DMZ!
Review provided by Viator
Karenph8183lg
Jul 2, 2024
Highlight of our trip - Still thinking about this tour a month after going, conversations we had and the many things I learned. Highly recommend if you would like a full insight of life in North Korea without crossing the border. The restaurant visit was beautiful and Jun was a lovely, interesting, open, honest and kind host.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Select Date and Tickets
up to 8 guests
1 Adult
October 2024
Sun
Mon
Tue
Wed
Thu
Fri
Sat
Today