Quote: "Well the National Geographic channel went to North Korea, some of them were American, and they were professional Journalists/Photographers."
Exceptions can be made, and this was one of the first times an American journalism team were allowed in the country. Upon some research I have found exceptions have been made only two or three times since the Korean War. However, for tours, this is a definite no-no.
Quote: "However I must warn you, if you are going to take any pictures of "The Great Leader" you have to take it in whole, by that I mean you cant leave any part of him out, or they will make you leave the next day."
I haven't heard anything about being forced to leave the next day, but I did know about the unwritten rule about photographing the dear leader or the great leader. Basically they can take your camera from you if you don't ask permission at all times when and where you can take a photo. If photoing the statues of the leaders, you must take the entire statue, and a straight shot (not crooked, etc.)
Quote: "I no see your dog fluffy, did your dog have like juicy hind legs, o.O
I would suggest steering clear of market food unless your game to try new meats"
Well I love trying new things, so I will eat dog if they serve it to me. The typical Korean diet is kimchi (fermented cabbage with spice) and a little bit of meat, but tourists are given tons of food of all sorts. They even try to make western food for you, which I won't like as part of going on vacation is eating exotic food!
The DMZ has the largest concentration of land mines on the planet, so even after the two countries reunify, it will be hell removing them.
I absolutely can't wait to go. It's a little expensive, 1900 euros, but it's all-inclusive (hotels, food, etc.). However I have to pay extra to fly to Beijing as it's the only way into North Korea. In total with souvenirs and everything I expect to pay about $5k Canadian, which isn't too too bad for a one-in-a-lifetime opportunity like this.
