Private Tour
Meet North Korean Defector &Talk after your DMZ trip
Overview
Available languages
2 hours
Mobile ticket
No need for a translator — Eunhee speaks fluent English, so you can ask questions directly and have meaningful conversations.
If you’re looking for a one-of-a-kind experience, not just another typical tour, this is for you.
North Korea is one of the most secretive countries in the world, which is why so many visit the DMZ. But the DMZ only offers a surface view.
To truly understand North Korea, meet a North Korean defector, hear real-life stories, and even taste authentic North Korean cuisine.
It’s a rare and insightful experience, perfect for travelers seeking something special in Korea.
Additional Info
Public transportation options are available nearby
Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries
Suitable for all physical fitness levels
This experience requires a minimum 6 number of travelers. If it’s canceled because the minimum isn’t met, you’ll be offered a different date/experience or a full refund.
This tour/activity will have a maximum of 10 travelers
If there aren't a minimum of 3 customers, the service may be cancelled.
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
What‘s Included
Depends on your booking, it could be lunch or dinner with North Korean food
Personal expenses
What To Expect
Just Real Stories and Food with a North Korean defector If you’re curious about North Korea beyond the fences of the DMZ, this is the experience for you. Hosted by Eunhee, a North Korean defector fluent in English, this intimate session offers something the DMZ never can—a real, human connection. You’ll meet Eunhee at a cozy North Korean restaurant in Seoul, where you’ll get to taste authentic dishes from the North—meals she grew up with and still cherishes. Depending on your booking time, it will be either lunch or dinner (or street food options!). While sharing the food, Eunhee will open up about her personal journey: growing up in North Korea, escaping the regime, and starting a new life in South Korea. This is not a scripted tour. It’s a safe space for conversation, storytelling, and honest questions—nothing is off-limits. From daily life in North Korea to the defection process and resettlement challenges, you’ll gain insight that’s hard to find elsewhere. No translators. No filters. Just a meaningful, first-hand encounter with someone who has lived both sides of the Korean divide. Perfect for: Anyone wanting to go beyond the headlines.
Sample Menu
main
PyongYang Noodle
It is a type of Korean cold noodle dish that originated in Pyongyang, the capital city of North Korea.
main
Tofu rice
North Korean tofu rice, is a popular street food in North Korea.
dessert
North Korean Finger snacks
You will be also provided North Korean snacks crafted by North Korean defectors in South Korea.
Options
Meet North Korean Defector &Talk after your DMZ trip
Reviews
10 reviews
Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor
a deeply meaningful dinner
Venture42670906366,
Jun 2, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00It was a deeply meaningful dinner. Our guide, Eunhee was cheerful, kind, and spoke very openly about North Korea and the circumstances surrounding defectors. Since there is so little information about the everyday lives of ordinary people in North Korea, this was a truly valuable experience. Through her stories, I was able to vividly imagine those scenes. As a Japanese person, I think I have a responsibility to learn about inter-Korean issues and her experiences, which is why I joined this tour. I sincerely hope that many people will have the chance to hear her story. She is around the same age as me, but she has been through so much and is carving out her own life—I was genuinely inspired. Not only did I learn about North Korea, but I also gained insight into how to take charge of one’s own life. And of course, the North Korean food, like naengmyeon, was absolutely delicious! とても意義深いディナーでした。彼女はとても明るく、優しく、そして率直に北朝鮮や脱北者を取り巻く環境について話してくれました。 北朝鮮の市井の人々の暮らしについての情報はとても少ないため、貴重な体験でした。彼女を通して鮮やかに情景を想像することができます。 私は日本人なので、南北問題や彼女の経験について学ぶ責任があると思い、このツアーに参加しました。ぜひたくさんの人に彼女の話を聞いてもらえたらと思います。 彼女は私とほぼ年が近いのに、とてもとてもとても多くの経験をしていますし、自分で人生を切り拓いていると感じます。北朝鮮について学ぶことができたのはもちろんですが、どのように人生を掴んでいくかという側面でも学びに溢れていました。 そしてもちろん、冷麺などの北朝鮮フードはとても美味しかったです！
Highlight of our time in Seoul
Shannon E,
Mar 26, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00My girls and I had the best time visiting Seoul but this experience was our highlight and what I looked forward to the most. We probably could have spent hours chatting. We learned so much and have a new appreciation for those who bravely attempt to defect. I highly recommend!!
Great Dinner, Better Conversation!
427mach,
Mar 25, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00We really enjoyed our dinner with Eunhee! We went after returning from our day at the DMZ, and our conversation very much added to everything we'd learned earlier in the day. Eunhee was able to talk first-hand about her harrowing journey and comment on the many cultural differences, as well as the good and bad of being a defector living in South Korea. It was truly a unique experience, made all the better by how pleasant and kind Eunhee is. Would definitely recommend!
Fantastic experience!
Sebastian L,
May 12, 2024
- Review from Viator
5.00Wow! What an experience! Eunhee, was extremely friendly and lovely to chat to. It was very interesting to listen to her awe inspiring story and to learn about her life since leaving North Korea, plus the North Korean dishes were great! If you are thinking of booking this experience, stop thinking and go ahead and book it!
You MUST book this unmissable experience whether or not you visit the DMZ!
Alyssa G,
May 10, 2024
- Review from Viator
5.00Meeting Eunhee was unexpectedly one of the best parts of our trip to Seoul. It was incredible just to sit with her and ask her questions about her life and experiences, and she was so patient and answered all of them! I would absolutely book this tour again just to be able to ask her more questions. Eunhee needs to make a movie about her life!
Truly Unique Experience
romanj721,
Apr 10, 2024
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00We met Eunhee all the way in Incheon at a restaurant serving authentic North Korean food. It took us over an hour and a half to reach the place from the centre of Seoul, but it was really worth it. We enjoyed an amazing meal during which Eunhee shared her story with us, and answered all of our questions about living in North Korea. She also provided some authentic and unique North Korean snacks for our friends who couldn’t make the meeting. Meeting Eunhee was definitely one of the main highlights of our trip to South Korea.
A most interesting meal
thomaswD4481JU,
May 17, 2023
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00A very interesting experience. Eunhee, my host, was very open about growing up in North Korea and during a very nice conversation over a North Korean meal answered my many questions regarding the DPRK.
Awesome & Inspiring
Artem B,
May 9, 2023
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Thank you so much. It was great to meet people from North Korea and hear their experiences, and being able to ask them any questions in person. Also thank you for sharing North Korean's food with us. Enjoyed it very much, highly recommend.
Best and Unforgettable
yasminecitrad,
May 8, 2023
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Yesterday was really an unforgettable experience. Thanks to Eunhee, Songmi and team for making it fun yet touching by listening to the stories as defectors. The tofu rice with the sauce is very yummy too! All the best for you 💘
Inspiring day with detailed stories of life in North Korea
Maps03645764168,
May 7, 2023
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Eunhee was such an amazing host. She provided many of her stories of North Korea and how she worked to be at where she is today. She is truly an inspiring individual and her stories were so meaningful, I will remember this part of my travel in South Korea for a while.
Related Experiences
Operated by Discovery Beyond DMZ