Private DMZ Tour with North Korean Defector + N Korean Lunch

Overview

Available languages

Korean

English

Mobile ticket

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.

Additional Info

Public transportation options are available nearby

Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap

Suitable for all physical fitness levels

Not allow filming or streaming of personal information

If there are 2 or fewer participants, up to 2 additional guests may join

Cancellation Policy

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

What‘s Included

All admission fees

Hotel pick up

Lunch (North Korean Food)

Travel insurance

Hotel Drop off

No vegetarian option

Meeting and Pickup

Pickup points

Select a pickup point

What To Expect

Goyang

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. This restaurant, one of the few in Korea, offers at least four N Korean dishes. You can enjoy fascinating stories about North Korean cuisine firsthand from our N Korean defector guide

2 hours • Admission Not Applicable

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. 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

2 hours • Admission Included

Options

Private DMZ Tour + Lunch

Duration: 8 hours
North Korean Lunch
Basic tour: This tour includes the North Korean restaurant, Odusan Observatory and Freedom bridge
Pickup included

Reviews

5.00

96 reviews

Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor

Must book tour
Jacob W,
Aug 17, 2025
- Viator
5.00
Jun was super nice and even helped me take some pictures of North Korea. This tour is a must book!!!
Highly recommend
Iris P,
Aug 9, 2025
- Viator
5.00
We had a wonderful time with Jun, who was extremely friendly and informative the whole day. His resilience is inspiring. We had the feeling that we got some real, honest information and it was so interesting being able to talk to Jun and get a different kind of perspective that you would from the big bus tours. I saw one of those leave with tons of people and screaming tour guides the next day near our hotel and I was so happy we had booked with Jun instead. Lunch was also excellent (actually our favourite meal in Korea). We got to share and try a few different things. We were dropped off at a subway station at the end of the day, and it was very easy to get back downtown from there. Thank you, Jun, for a very interesting and educational day!
Instant 5 stars
Anastasia D,
Aug 7, 2025
- Viator
5.00
I’m already recommending this tour to my brother who is visiting Seoul in a few weeks, please don’t hesitate to book this! I don’t think visiting DMZ would’ve been nearly as impactful with a more generic tour group. Jun is an amazing story teller and he was so open to answering all our questions about his experiences. It felt like the day just flew by on this tour
Unique Perspective, Best Tour Ever
Aidan R,
Aug 3, 2025
- Viator
5.00
Would highly recommend this tour. Jun gives a unique perspective on the DMZ from a defector's point a view that gets away from the usual touristy sing and dance from his person. Jun was great and we were taken on a private tour with only two other people.
Excellent!!
Richard M,
Jul 26, 2025
- Viator
5.00
A real, true, personal, candid and authentic story of his defection…very memorable. I would recommend to anyone…skip the other touristy tours and listen to Jun’s story instead.

From $150.00