Private DMZ Tour with North Korean Defector + N Korean Lunch

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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 To Expect

1

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
2

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

What‘s Included

All admission fees

Hotel pick up

Lunch (North Korean Food)

Travel insurance

Hotel Drop off

No vegetarian option

Pickup points

Select a pickup point

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

126 reviews

Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor

126
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  • The only way to see the DMZ

    Shane C,,Feb 7, 2026

    - Review from Tripadvisor

    5.00

    Jun runs an amazing tour. He speaks perfect English and has a fantastic manner of explaining the complex NK and SK situation that is personal and informative. As foreigners we hear so little about life in the DPRK and to meet somebody who grew up there who can tell us what life was like for a normal person was such a unique experience. This tour is personalised and shows some fascinating parts of the border region between the two countries and doesn't focus on the kitsch parts of the DMZ. Jun was a great communicator before the trip, it was easy and stress free for pickup. I truly hope many more people book this tour and support this young man in his unique tour!

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  • A day we will never forget.

    TerrenQuint11,,Feb 5, 2026

    - Review from Tripadvisor

    5.00

    Our DMZ tour with Jun was truly unforgettable. Jun is a North Korean defector who took us to a North Korean restaurant, the DMZ, and shared his remarkable story with us throughout the day. Hearing his firsthand experience and perspective on life in North Korea and his escape made this so much more than just a tour. Despite everything he has been through, Jun was so composed and engaging, bringing a deeply personal context to everything we saw. His story and insights will stay with us for a lifetime. An exceptional experience that we highly recommend.​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​

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  • An day we will never forget

    Terren S,,Feb 5, 2026

    - Review from Viator

    5.00

    Our DMZ tour with Jun was truly unforgettable. Jun is a North Korean defector who took us to a North Korean restaurant, the DMZ, and shared his remarkable story with us throughout the day. Hearing his firsthand experience and perspective on life in North Korea and his escape, made this so much more than just a tour. Despite everything he has been through, Jun is composed, funny and engaging, bringing a deeply personal context to everything we saw. His story and insights will stay with us for a lifetime. An exceptional experience that we highly recommend.​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​

  • A lifechanging experience

    Jack A,,Feb 1, 2026

    - Review from Viator

    5.00

    Hearing Jun's story is hard to describe as anything but a lifechanging experience. It is an opportunity to hear what life in North Korea is really like but also Jun's personal journey - a very rare chance to hear a first-hand account of some of the most extreme resilience and human spirit imaginable. Jun happily answered our hundreds of questions and is even able to look back on his experiences with good humour. Meeting Jun was an absolute privilege for us and should be considered an must-do activity during any visit to Seoul.

  • Highlight of my trip

    Betty W,,Jan 19, 2026

    - Review from Viator

    5.00

    It has taken me a while to get round to writing this review. Meeting Jun was the highlight of my trip. I have always had a fascination of NK and defectors. I felt I was quite well read on the matter but meeting Jun and learning about things through his experience was eye opening. It really touched my soul. It makes you appreciate the small luxuries in life like our morning coffee. Honestly I can't recommend this tour enough, for me, learning stories from Jun is more valuable than going on some other generic tour.

  • A very unique experience

    Hana F,,Jan 17, 2026

    - Review from Viator

    5.00

    This was a highlight of our short trip to Seoul. Unexpectedly interesting and eye opening experience. It was recommended by a friend who did it a few months before us and couldn’t stop talking about it. Jun had so much to tell us and we will never forget what we learned on this tour. 100% recommend!!

  • The best tour we’ve ever...

    Anna P,,Jan 17, 2026

    - Review from Viator

    5.00

    The best tour we’ve ever had! Jun has looked after us very well and his story will stay with us forever. Even our teenage girls were fascinated by his story. We definitely recommend this tour.

  • Outstanding, Personal Insights on North Korea, Defection, and Integration

    667tedf,,Jan 5, 2026

    - Review from Tripadvisor

    5.00

    I've been on several DMZ tours after living in Korea several years, and this was by far the most insightful and personal. Jun's story is not typical, as one of relatively few male defectors, and hearing of the various stages and trials of his life in the North and eventual escape was fascinating. My family said it was one of the most insightful tours we've been on, helped to understand the human element of living in North Korea as well as the issues of integration in South Korea society by the relatively small North Korean defector community. Odusan is closer than most DMZ observatories as the river border is narrower than the rest of the DMZ, and you can see North Koreans at the guard posts, fields, school, etc. We happened to see children ice skating (an old phone or camera with a single lens is best to capture pictures through the powerful, mounted binoculars). The North Korean meal was also outstanding, hearing the stories behind the various dishes, cooked by a chef who worked at an elite Pyongyang restaurant. I can't recommend this tour more highly for a unique, personal insight into life in North Korea.

  • The best & most authentic way to visit the DMZ

    MatthewG1507,,Jan 3, 2026

    - Review from Tripadvisor

    5.00

    Me & my wife had an unforgettable day on this tour & would highly recommended. Our guide openly & honestly shared his experiences as a North Korean defector which provided us with a truly unique perspective on the DMZ.

  • Best tour of the DMZ

    Anna G,,Dec 28, 2025

    - Review from Viator

    5.00

    This tour is the best thing I’ve done in South Korea. I booked this tour with Jun last February and was so impressed that I booked it again for my whole family when they came to visit. Jun is knowledgeable, engaging and funny. His story of defecting from North Korea is harrowing. He shares all of it with grace and humility, and gives unique insight into the DMZ. I highly recommend Jun’s tour.

From US$150.00

5.00
(126 reviews)
Check availability

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