Famous and popular tourist places and air routes to North Korea

Tourism business in North Korea

Most famous tourist spots in North Korea are divided into three parts. Mountains, industrial complex, cities with a long history.

My grandparents in law used to live in Kaesong before Koran War. They sometimes told me about their lives in Kaesong. Travelling North Korea is not safe for Americans. I wonder if I can travel Kaesong and some famous tourist places by car in the future.

Rajin Sonbong economic special zone
Mountain Paektu
Mountain Chilbo
Mountain Myohyang
Hamhung
Wonsan
Pyongyang
Mountain Kuwol
Mountain Kumgang
Kaesong

There are 12 airports in North Korea including Sunan International airport in Pyongyang City. Regional airports in North Korea are shared with North Korean Airforce.

Sunan International airport has some international air routes.

Beijng - Pyongyang
Shimyang - Pyongyang
Kuala Lumpur - Pyongyang
Vladivostok - Pyongyang
Shanghai - Pyongyang
Moscow - Pyongyang

Kuwait to Pyongyang is no long operational.

There are some international standard hotels in North Korea

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_hotels_in_North_Korea
http://nkinfo.unikorea.go.kr/nkp/overview/nkOverview.do?sumryMenuId=EC219
https://www.nknews.org/2016/10/air-koryo-no-longer-permitted-to-operate-pyongyang-kuwait-route/

North Korea hosted about 30 exhibitions to overcome sanctions from the world

North Korea hosted about 30 exhibitions whose themes are candies and cookies for children, cooking, electric equipment, furniture, architecture, medical science, fashion, musical instruments, books, industrial arts, and nanotechnology.

What is the purpose of these exhibitions?

North Korean regime wants to encourage domestic industry to develop more international standard products, but sanctions from the world are getting severe and severe so that North Korea will have difficulty in importing raw materials from overseas.

I hear that only high-rank officials in North Korea can get access to internet.
How can North Korea improve quality of products without sufficient information about international trends.

http://news.joins.com/article/22067096

Gaming industry is likely to grow in North Korea.

Gaming industry is likely to grow in North Korea.
Why?
North Korean regime wants to earn foreign currency through gaming industry like horse racing.

http://news.kbs.co.kr/news/view.do?ncd=3561718&ref=A

North Korea wants to survive with nuclear weapons at the top and capitalism at the bottom.

North Korea wants to keep nuclear weapons at the top as well as capitalism at the bottom.

Capitalism can be seen everywhere in North Korea.

North Korea is short of accommodations. North Korea also has a B&B system. For example, North Korean couples knock the door of a private home and pay some money to homeowners and the homeowners leave home for the couple. This is North Korean style B&B.

It is legal to exchange homes but it is illegal to sell homes in North Korea.
The price of popular apartments in Pyongyang is about one hundred thousand dollars.

http://news.chosun.com/site/data/html_dir/2017/08/22/2017082200103.html?Dep0=twitter&d=2017082200103

Local black markets in North Korea are increasing rapidly.

Local black markets in North Korea are increasing rapidly.

Markets are based on capitalism.
Why North Korean regime allow such markets?
North Korean regime cannot provide what people need anymore and local black markets play the role in North Korea. Local black markets can provide necessary daily products to North Korean people, but there is one problem.

Local black markets cannot have a strong effect on the whole economic development of North Korea.
North Korean economy can get better through international trade like exporting and importing.

https://www.voakorea.com/a/3877902.html

How many local black markets are operational?

There are about 400 black markets in North Korea. The number of local black markets will increase day by day.

http://imnews.imbc.com/weeklyfull/weekly07/4328848_17999.html

Mining industry, Light industry, and Tourism industry are promising and prosperous in North Korea.

Mining industry, Light industry, and Tourism industry are promising and prosperous in North Korea.

Magnesite, Zinc, and Irvon are abundant in North Korea.
There are many skilled labors to make clothes in North Korea.
Many foreign tourists think North Korea is a very mysterious place worth visiting. There is one problem. Americans are not allowed to travel to North Korea because of safety.

http://www.huffingtonpost.kr/nk-news/story_b_7908762.html

What to do to start a business in North Korea?

• To find appropriate business partners
• To receive Visa from North Korean regime

It takes about one week to receive one week.

Why is it difficult to make a successful business in North Korea?

If you think North Koreans have the same ideas and minds because North Koreans are having the same roots and use the same Korean language, it is wrong.

North Korean workers do not think highly of efficiency as well as saving time and money.
Investors are not allowed to talk freely much with North Korean workers.
North Korean regime swifts skilled workers without any prior notice.
Why?
It needs a lot of time and efforts to make skillful workers, but North Korean regime wants workers to keep away from capitalism.

When you start a new business in North Korea, North Korean high-rank officials ask bribery.
It is not easy to make a successful business in North Korea.

Even after a new factory is operational, North Korean regime refuses to issue a visa to investors.

North Korean regime neglect international laws. Even hired workers do not work at factories when North Korean regime tells workers to participate in government-oriented events. Political issues are more important than profits of the companies.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZPKkuoLfcR8

Foreign investors have much difficulty in finding sufficient information about investment including regulations.

North Korea does not provide sufficient information to foreign investors if North Korea wants more investment from overseas.

Foreign investors have much difficulty in finding sufficient information about investment including regulations.
The most popular business to foreign investors is making clothes and IT outsourcing.
Artificial flowers, furniture, and denture are also popular export products from North Korea.

Foreign companies make use of facilities and labors in North Korea. Because of low payment to North Koreans, foreign investors can make a lot of money.

http://www.rfa.org/korean/in_focus/food_international_org/invest-09302014170326.html

Why is corruption so serious in North Korea?

In North Korea there are so many meaningless and unuseful regulations.
North Koreans cannot live a life if they abide by all the regulations.
North Koreans are forced to break the regulations to live a life.
Officials request bribery to turn a blind eye on the illegal business in North Korea.

For example, North Koreans need a special travel pass to go to other places. Sellers needs those passes to sell goods in different places. Even if sellers do not have passes, a pack of cigarettes will give permission to travel different places.

http://www.rfa.org/korean/commentary/lankov/cu-al-04282011110033.html

The apartment price in Pyongyang, North Korea has increased by 66.7 percentage for 6 years.

The apartment price in Pyongyang, North Korea has increased by 66.7 percentage for 6 years.
It is almost the same price at Dandong, Lianing Province in China.

Even though strong sanctions from the world, the economic development has never been decreased.
How is it possible?

Since 2002 North Korea has permitted black markets, Jangmadang. Smuggling between China and North Korea has increased and North Korea imports what they need from China.

http://www.yonhapnews.co.kr/bulletin/2017/05/11/0200000000AKR20170511169300097.HTML

Some clothes made in China are actually made in North Korea

Some clothes made in China and exported to overseas are actually made in North Korea.

Chinese apparel companies want to cut down on labor costs and make use of apparel factories in North Korea.

How much Chinese apparel companies can save money?
Products made in North Korea are 75 percent cheaper than products made in China.

Those clothes are exported to America, Europe, Japan, Korea, Russia, and Canada.

http://biz.chosun.com/site/data/html_dir/2017/08/14/2017081401352.html

Bribery and corruption in North Korea has become more severe.

You cannot do anything without bribery in North Korea.

Before 1990s North Korea regime could provide foods to North Korean people. Since Kim Jong Un became the leader of North Korea, North Korean regime could not provide foods and free markets increased in North Korea.

Before 1990s, money was not powerful to live a life in North Korea. At that time government officials in North Korea were afraid of taking bribery from others, because they might be put behind bars when they are caught in the very act of taking bribery and their family members could not receive foods from North Korean regime.

Bribery and corruption in North Korea became more severe day by day.

http://www.rfa.org/korean/commentary/lankov/lankovcu-03232017150918.html

North Korean regime restarted Kaesong industrial complex.

North Korean regime restarted Kaesong industrial complex that is jointly owned with South Korean companies without any permission to use the facilities in Kaesong Industrial complex.

North Korean regime is secretly making clothes in Kaesong industrial complex.

North Korean regime neglect international contract and international law. It is illegal to use facilities jointly owned with South Korean companies. International laws are meaningless in North Korea.

http://www.businessinsider.com/north-korea-restarts-work-at-kaesong-industrial-complex-2017-10

http://www.rfa.org/english/news/korea/korea-kaesong-10062017180901.html

North Korean can still transfer money from China to North Korea

United Nations is working to strangle North Korea's ability to make money, but North Korea uses small banks in China or Russia to transfer money. It is still possible to wire money to North Korea.

North Korean regime operates many factories in China to make clothes and other goods. Workers in the factories are North Koreans.

https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/asia_pacific/north-koreas-growing-economy-and-americas-misconceptions-about-it/2015/03/13/b551d2d0-c1a8-11e4-a188-8e4971d37a8d_story.html?utm_term=.be7cc1813142

What does North Korea export and import?

What does North Korea export and import?

China

Import from North Korea: Coal briquettes, clothing, metal ores, precious metals, sea foods
Export to North Korea: Clothing, Electronical and Electronic equipment, synthetic materials, metal fabrications, vehicles

India

Import from North Korea: Sculptures, Chemicals, Raw materials, Food
Export to North Korea: Silver, Machinery

Pakistan

Import from North Korea: Rolled iron, Chemicals

Thailand

Export to North Korea: Metals, Meat, Rubber

Philippines

Export to North Korea: Electricals

Russia

Export to North Korea: Oil
Import from North Korea: Coal briquettes

Burkina Faso

Import from North Korea: Petrol

Saudi Arabia

Import from North Korea: Mostly electricals

Chile

Import from North Korea: Metals

Brazil

Import from North Korea: Electricals

Turkey

Import from North Korea: Petrol

Hong Kong

Import from North Korea: Gold

Singapore

Export to North Korea: Tobacco, Paper

Mexico

Export to North Korea: Petrol

Ukraine

Export to North Korea: Aeronautics

Peru

Export to North Korea: Copper Ore

Germany

Export to North Korea: Medical supplies, Food

Switzerland

Export to North Korea: Milk

Senegal

Export to North Korea: Fish

http://news.sky.com/story/which-countries-trade-with-north-korea-11021304

North Korean regime utilizes its slave labor between 100,000 and 200,000 in over 45 countries around the world.

North Korean regime utilizes its slave labor between 100,000 and 200,000 in over 45 countries around the world.

While economic sanctions have been stronger, North Korean regime has sent increasing number of slave laborers. These workers only receive 10 to 20 percent of their designated wages. All wages of workers are paid directly to North Korean regime.

North Korean banks at the center of the slave exports need to be completely cut off from the international banking system.

http://www.businessinsider.com/how-north-korea-uses-slaves-to-get-around-trade-sanctions-2017-7

Philippines suspends its trade with North Korea to comply with U.N. sanctions.

The United States has asked the United Nations to consider tough sanctions on North Korea.
Philippines suspends its trade with North Korea to comply with U.N. sanctions.
North Korea lost its economic partner with Phillpines.

https://www.reuters.com/article/us-philippines-northkorea/philippines-suspends-trade-with-north-korea-to-comply-with-u-n-resolution-idUSKCN1BJ10K

North Korea has lost one of its biggest trading partners after India banned most dealings with North Korea.

North Korea has lost one of its biggest trading partners after India banned most dealings with North Korea.

India stopped all trade except for food and medicine.
United Nations and the USA urge more global actions to isolate North Korea.
India joined the U.N. sanctions even though India has maintained diplomatic relations with North Korea.

http://money.cnn.com/2017/05/01/news/north-korea-india-trade-ban/index.html

China's central bank tells banks to stop doing business with North Korea.

China's central bank has told banks to strictly implement United Nations sanctions against North Korea.

President Donal Trump ordered new sanctions against people and entities doing business with North Korea, including its shipping and trade networks to tighten the screws on North Korea's nuclear test.

https://www.reuters.com/article/us-northkorea-missiles-banks-china/chinas-central-bank-tells-banks-to-stop-doing-business-with-north-korea-sources-idUSKCN1BW1DL

Who is doing business with North Korea?

Who is doing business with North Korea?

https://www.axios.com/the-countries-that-do-business-with-north-korea-2481100018.html

1. China is the biggest business partner with North Korea. China is also the United States' largest trade partner. China accounts for 83 percent of North Korea exports and 85 percent of its imports.
2. India was the second biggest business partner with North Korea.  India banned most trade with North Korea in April, 2017 in connection with United Nations sanctions
3. Russia is a European leader in North Korean trade.
4. France
5. Mexico
6. Pakistan
7. Philippines
8. Saudi Arabia
9. Brazil
10. Chile
11. Burkina Faso (Africa)

http://fortune.com/2017/09/04/north-korea-countries-trade-partners-nuclear-tests/
http://www.dw.com/en/a-closer-look-at-which-countries-trade-with-north-korea/a-40352763

American companies are not allowed to do business in North Korea.

American companies are not allowed to do business in North Korea.
Even American tourists are prohibited to travel to North Korea because of the safety problem in North Korea.

Only a few European companies and Chinese companies are allowed to do business in North Korea.
International trade between North Korea is sanctioned.

Business with North Korea is blocked because of North Korea's nuclear weapons.
How long can North Korea endure the sanctions from the world?

http://www.asiabiznews.net/project-contracts-tenders-rfp-rfq-resources/how-to-do-business-in/North%20Korea.html