Discover North Korea
Discover North Korea explores what North Korea is really like through conversations with people who have visited the country multiple times. Host Zoe from Zoe Discovers talks with guests from a range of backgrounds, countries, and political opinions to uncover unreported aspects of North Korean life. The podcast aims to go beyond common assumptions and share firsthand perspectives on the country.
Episodes
Ep. 45 Living in Pyongyang Relatively... Freely? Life in North Korea with the UN (Pt. 2)
With special Fragkiska Megaloudi, author of 'In The Land of Kim'.I am joined by Fragkiska Megaloudi who spent two years living in North Korea under the UN, an organisation with a surprising amount of freedom to roam around the country. Or, so it used to be. Fragkiska is a fascinating individual with an incredible background. We couldn't help but chat for 2 hours, so this episode will be in two par
Ep. 44 Living in Pyongyang Relatively... Freely? Life in North Korea with the UN (Pt. 1)
I am joined by Fragkiska Megaloudi who spent two years living in North Korea under the UN, an organisation with a surprising amount of freedom to roam around the country. Or, so it used to be. Fragkiska is a fascinating individual with an incredible background. We couldn't help but chat for 2 hours, so this episode will be in two parts. More from Fragkiska - The Book (In the Land of Kim: Two years
Ep. 43 Pyongyang International Film Festival (w/ Nick Bonner)
I chat to North Korea film expert Nick Bonner, who's attended every PIFF since 2002, for some insider knowledge on everything from how to process works to cute anecdotes like how acting can lead to getting yourself a husband.Koryo Tours will be attending PIFF 2026 and will be posting on their Instagram and YouTube accounts. Make sure to follow along!North Korean Films produced with Nick BonnerKory
Ep. 42 Did Influencers Close North Korea, & a Look at the Future of North Korea Tourism
Just me on the show today as I get a bit passionate about a topic close to home; content creation on North Korea. As much as I have my qualms with some of the content that has come out from Rason and the Pyongyang Marathon - I don't believe it was 'influencers that closed North Korea'.One big argument I forget to mention here is....North Korea closed after just *one* group of tourists went in. Abo
Ep. 41 Content Creation in North Korea (with special guest Anna Pelova)
Anna and I talk about some of the interesting content that has come out online since the marathon and what it's like to produce 'normal' or 'mundane' nuanced content on North Korea, away from the sensationalist headlines. Follow Anna Pelova's work - TikTokhttps://www.tiktok.com/@visiteverycountry/Instagram https://www.instagram.com/annapelova/Contact me: zoediscovers@gmail.com / @zoediscovers /@zo
Ep. 40 Behind the Scenes from the Pyongyang Marathon
I get together with Greg at the Beijing office for an impromptu meet-up and discuss all things behind the scenes at the Pyongyang Marathon. Links mentioned: Eastern Bhutan 2026 (with Greg)https://koryogroup.com/tours/offbeat-eastern-bhutanBangladesh & Bhutan Combo (December 2025, with Greg & Zoe!)https://koryogroup.com/tours/koryo-bhutan-and-bangladesh-adventureInternational tours - K
Ep. 39 To the Pyongyang Marathon (kinda)
A here there and everywhere episode as I take you into Pyongyang and for a bit of the behind the scenes of the Pyongyang Marathon.Pyongyang Marathon 2026 UpdatesPYM 2026 Early Bird (closes 1st Sept 2025)Pyongyang Marathon VlogKoryo Tours & Afghanistan Michael Palin in North KoreaContact me: zoediscovers@gmail.com / @zoediscovers /@zoediscoversnk Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more
Ep. 38 Flying AIR KORYO & the Journey to Pyongyang (reunion with old friends)
On this episode of Discover North Korea, I take you on a much-awaited AIR KORYO flight back to Pyongyang for the Pyongyang Marathon. We start in Beijing Airport and finish with some conversations with North Korean colleagues at Pyongyang Airport. The next couple of episodes will be covering my time in Pyongyang & the Pyongyang Marathon! The Pyongyang Marathon 2026 has not yet been announc
Ep. 37 The One Where I Take You To North Korea (Rason, Pt. 3)
The final episode of our Rason trip! We enjoy our last few sights on the tour as well as have a little interview with our young guide Miss Kim. Tune in next time when I TAKE YOU TO PYONGYANG. Thank you to my Patrons and to the Koryo Tours gang for your constant support. NOTE: North Korea borders are once again CLOSED indefinitely. Rason tours are now suspended. I will be posting updates on my Inst
Ep. 36 The One Where I Take You To North Korea (Rason, Pt. 2)
In the second of this 3-part episode, I take you on a tour around Rason in North Korea. Thank you to my Patrons and to the Koryo Tours gang for your constant support. NOTE: North Korea borders are once again CLOSED indefinitely. Rason tours are now suspended. I will be posting updates on my Instagram & all other platforms. (@zoediscovers / @zoediscoversnk). 🔗 North Korea Tours - https://koryo
Ep. 35 The One Where I Take You To North Korea (Rason, Pt. 1)
I am so excited to finally be able to take you on a trip to North Korea. In this 3-part episode, I take you on a tour to North Korea so you can experience yourselves what a North Korea tour is like - plus some extra insights from me throughout, too! Thank you to my Patrons and to the Koryo Tours gang for your constant support. NOTE: North Korea borders are once again CLOSED indefinitely. Rason tou
Ep. 34 Grab a Coffee, Let’s Catch Up
On this episode of Discover North Korea I catch up with you all on what on earth has been going on, as well as giving you a bit of an inside scoop on life working in North Korea tourism. Hint: it’s been a bit crazy.Tours to Rason - https://koryogroup.com/tours/dprk-north-korea/group Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Ep. 33 BACK IN NORTH KOREA - Rason Edition.
North Korea has been closed for 5+ years. And we all waited for it to open. Finally, now the day has come. Well, is coming. Rason will open on the 20th Feb and maybe Pyongyang soon after, let's hope. For now, I chat to special guest, friend, and colleague Greg who just got back from Rason in North Korea after being invited there on a special delegation. Tours start on the 20th Febuary, tours open
Ep.32 What is it like to visit North Korea now?
I chat with Veronika who was one of the Russians to visit North Korea recently and who posted her trip on social media. She tells us all about her trip to North Korea!NOTE: The North Korean borders are NOT yet open. Some limited Russian tourist groups are currently permitted to go in only. Sign up to this newsletter or WhatsApp group for border opening updates.My biggest thanks to Veronika for spe
Ep. 31 The Podcast is Back!
The podcast is back after a non-deliberate break! A little update from me and about the podcast in the future. Next full episode coming out next week.North Korean borders are not yet open to tourism. Sign up to this newsletter or WhatsApp group for border opening updates. Can't wait any longer? Check out the North Korea From a Near Distance tour and get $150 USD discount with code ZoeDMZ! Hosted o
Ep.30 Traversing the Whole #DMZ from East to West (islands, observatories, and everything in between) [TOUR]
The last in this series* and we go out with a bang! I chat with Greg, Lesley, and Peter about a very unique trip to South Korea - one truly like no other. That you can be part of this year, too! *Don't worry, I'm just taking a break and will be back in mid-September time :). I'll be back after a trip and also with another podcast in the making... watch this space! --------------------Follow me on;
Ep. 29 Inside the North Korean Countryside: Caves, Waterfalls, Rivers, Lakes, and Much More.
The second part in the 2-part episode "Inside the North Korean Countryside". In this episode, we head to a few key spots in the North Korean countryside known for their beauty or indeed because they're hardly known at all and worth a mention... More details of each of these in the Travel Guides section on koryogroup.com (links below). Places we cover; Pakyon FallsRyongmun CavesUlim WaterfallSamil
Ep. 28 Inside the North Korean Countryside; Korea's 5 (6) Famed Mountains
In this 2-part episode, I delve into the North Korean countryside to give an overview on what the North Korean countryside has to offer. This first episode is all about mountains; North Korea's most famous mountain ranges. Indeed, of the 6 famous mountains on the Korean Peninsula - 5 of them lie in the northern half. So, there's a lot to cover! A lot of this information was taken from Koryo Tours'
Ep. 27 Unveiling North Korea's Film Secrets: Behind the Scenes with Nick Bonner on 'Aim High in Creation', Propaganda, and Making Movies in North Korea
I chat with Nick Bonner, Koryo Studio director and producer/director of several movies & documentaries inside North Korea. He's the go-to man for facilitating these kinds of projects (and much more) in North Korea, and a film he co-directed also won an award a the Pyongyang International Film Festival. He's also the associate producer of Aim High in Creation, a film by an Australian movie prod
Ep. 26 Why a Second Trip to North Korea is Worth It (& Journey to Freelance guiding) | Guest Special w/Pete
What makes the North East so special? I chat with my colleague and friend Pete who works as a freelance tour guide for Koryo Tours (pre-pandemic..!) and visited the DPRK 6 times alone in 2019. He first visited North Korea on a simple trip to Pyongyang but decided that he needed to go back to explore more. Pete also gave a really interesting insight into an SEZ that came up as a topic in the Rason
Ep. 25 Staying in a Homestay in North Korea & Other Surprising Things You Can Do.
From shooting pheasants (chickens?) and taking them home for dinner to having a soak completely naked with the locals at the spa. In this episode, I chat about some things you probably never knew you could do in North Korea.This is a list mainly inspired by everyone's reactions when I tell them what I've been up to on tour. Sure, some of these actually surprised me too - but it's mainly the things
Ep. 24 Asking ChatGPT for the Top Myths on North Korea
I decided to get on the ChatGPT bandwagon and use it to see the best, most popular, and most ridiculous myths on North Korea and I discuss their origins and the truth behind them. Contact me with your questions & guest recommendations on zoediscovers@gmail.com.Follow me on;-> Instagram @zoediscoversnk for pictures, videos, and live sessions (when it's possible) from inside North Korea->
Ep. 23 North Korea's Special Economic Zone; Rason
On this episode, I chat about North Korea's Special Economic Zone (SEZ) Rason, in the very northeast of North Korea. It's also the first place I ever visited in North Korea! Get a North Korean bank account, visit a casino, go to the local market, and say hi to the seals!Contact me with your questions & guest recommendations on zoediscovers@gmail.com.Follow me on;-> Instagram @zoediscoversnk
Ep 22: The US Travel Ban to North Korea & What it Means For Americans & North Koreans (LIFT Guest Special)
Today I'm joined by three special guests to discuss the US travel ban to North Korea, the impacts this has on North Korea, on a global scale, and indeed on American citizens themselves. We discuss everything from North Korean tourism to cultural exchanges in North Korea, and why even the US travel ban to North Korea exists. And finally, what you can do to help...A more political conversation today
Ep. 21 /FAQ/ How to Get (or Avoid) the North Korea Passport Stamp
Do you either really want the North Korean passport stamp, or really don't want it? Whichever one you are, I let you know how to avoid the North Korean passport stamp as well as two ways (the only ways) to get it... ------------------Contact me with your questions & guest recommendations on zoediscovers@gmail.com.Follow me on;- Instagram @zoediscoversnk for pictures, videos, and live sessions
Ep. 20 Living in North Korea with my wife and baby as an American & a Christian [w/ Rob Thomas, Hwamok]
So much to unpack with this episode as I sit with Rob Thomas - a Christian American who lived in North Korea with his wife and baby (and Bible?!) - who tells me all about his experience working in the DPRK. Only scratched the surface on this one as there are so many angles to go from! But we start with the basics... how does an American end up working and living in North Korea? And... what was it
Ep. 19 North Korea Outside Pyongyang [Wonsan, North Korea's top (domestic) tourist location]
Wonsan is North Korea's most popular place for a holiday. Domestic tourism is on the rise in North Korea and Wonsan is at the forefront of it. You may have heard of North Korea's Kalma resort before? We discuss where the Kalma Resort is up to now and why North Korea tourism as me know it may be about to change. ------------------Contact me with your questions & guest recommendations on zoedisc
Ep. 18 Trip Prep! What Should (and Shouldn’t) I Bring to North Korea? Packing for a Trip.
How do you prepare for a trip like no other? I run through all the things you need to consider for your North Korea tour. From packing essentials to how to mentally prepare yourself for this trip of a lifetime... ------------------17 things to know before you go;https://koryogroup.com/blog/north-korea-travel-16-things-you-need-to-know-before-you-go------------------Contact me with your questions &
Ep 17 Getting a Local Train in North Korea (Train Travel & Railway Systems in the DPRK) [w/ Greg]
What's it like getting a local train in North Korea? Greg and his expertise on all things North Korea travel is back for another episode of Discover North Korea. Whilst the theme this week was supposed to be transport, but again we got stuck flitting between different topics on the DPRK including touring the South Korean - North Korean border from west to east as well as why Greg has been spending
Ep. 16 A Journey to the North Korean Border (Part 2: Dandong & the DPRK)
The second part of a two-part episode that is a bit different... I take you on a journey from Beijing in China to the North Korean border in China's northeast. I hope you enjoy the train experience in podcast form as much as I did in reality (probably a lot nicer in podcast form, to be honest!). If you're after some visuals to accompany you on your journey, head over to Instagram where I have the
Ep. 15 A Journey to the North Korean Border (Part 1: Heading north on the Chinese sleeper train)
This episode is a bit different as I take you on a journey from Beijing in China to the North Korean border in China's northeast. This is a two-part episode. I hope you enjoy the train experience in podcast form as much as I did in reality (probably a lot nicer in podcast form, to be honest!). If you're after some visuals to accompany you on your journey, head over to Instagram where I have the jo
Ep. 14 Is a Visit to the North-South Korean Border (DMZ) Really that Dangerous? (An Audio-Guided Tour of the DMZ).
I take you on an audio-guided tour through what some have said to be one of the most dangerous places on earth; the DMZ, the border dividing North and South Korea. Visiting from the northern side, it's actually a lot more chilled out than you might expect. But nevertheless, a visit here should not be taken lightly and you should understand the context of where you're visiting in order to get the m
Ep. 13 [Q&A] What do North Koreans do in their Free Time? (& all your North Korean FAQs answered).
Which Korea makes the best soju? What would you recommend to visit in North Korea that’s mostly not part of the standard tourist tours? North Korean documentary recommendations? What kind of souvenirs do tourists usually buy? Were you scared the first time you visited vs now? North Korean beer; what's it like? And many, many more of your questions; answered!In this episode, I asked for a
Ep. 12 An American Who Recorded a Music Video in North Korea?! [Guest Special; Xiang Yu]
On this episode, I welcome special guest and comrade Xiang Yu - an American Taiwanese musician who made a music video in Pyongyang some years back. We chat about his time in North Korea, making music there, how he got into the world of North Korea and how his family also has ties to the Korean Peninsula - including in the North.We end up just having a good ol' chat and I hope you enjoy it as much
Ep. 11 The DPRK: a place so many have opinions on but so few know little about? (interview w/ Safety Last Podcast)
In this episode, the interviewer becomes interviewee as I feature on Safety Last Podcast. Stanley has some well-thought-through and well-researched questions that challenged me, too! Hope you enjoy this episode which you can also find at Safety Last. Thanks to Stanley for having me on the show & producing this podcast!Tune in next week to discover North Korea some more!Contact me with your que
Ep. 10 Air Koryo; Really the world’s worst airline? (Guest Special w/ Greg)
Ever wondered what business class on a North Korean flight is like? Or wanted to know if Air Koryo really is THAT bad? Aviation geek (and good friend) Greg talks us through what it's like to fly on a North Korean airline; the differences you might find at a North Korean airport (including smoking openly in the coffee shops) and how you go about actually buying a ticket to North Korea...Thanks Greg
Ep. 9: North Korea Outside Pyongyang [Nampo; West Coast & Petrol Clam BBQs]
Heading out of Pyongyang down North Korea's west coast to Nampo, home to North Korea's most impressive engineering feat at the West Sea Barrage, as well as the infamous petrol clam BBQ at the hot spring resort... Tune in next week to discover North Korea some more!----------------------Contact me with your questions & guest recommendations on zoediscovers@gmail.com.Follow me on;-> Instagram
Ep. 8: Does North Korea have internet? And where can I find the WiFi? (No, seriously)
In this episode, I tell you where and how you can access internet in North Korea... but by the time I'm done, you probably won't want to even try. There are also a few (very few) spots you can find WiFi in North Korea that I go over in this episode, as well as exploring how the locals access internet - or rather intranet - in North Korea. The two systems are called Koryolink (the foreign internet
Ep 7: Out of Pyongyang and into the North Korean Countryside (where can you actually visit in North Korea?)
In this episode, I discuss life in North Korea OUTSIDE Pyongyang, going through all the areas (north, east, south, and west) in North Korea you can visit, and also what's on offer there if you do! This episode is an overview of ALL the places you can visit in North Korea. Over the next few months, I'll do individual episodes for each of the areas in North Korea discussed in this episode. If you ha
Ep 6: Taking the Train/Plane into North Korea?! (What's it like?)
In this episode, I chat about what it's like entering North Korea - including the passport and customs check you can expect. I talk about the 24hr train to North Korea experience, as well as briefly touch on Air Koryo and the flight into North Korea. I also weigh up the positives (and negatives) of the train and plane to North Korea to help you choose which one is the right one for you. Do you dar
Episode 5: What We Miss About Visiting North Korea [w/ Koryo Tours]
In this episode, I have some extra special guests joining me; the pioneers and experts in North Korea tourism, my good friends, my co-workers, and indeed my bosses and superiors. We have a great chat reminiscing about our years spent working in the North Korea tourism industry, and also get pretty deep as we get more personal and reflect on the hardships COVID-19 has brought for the North Koreans.
Episode 4: Is it Ethical to Travel to North Korea? (and why I think so)
This episode of Discover North Korea gets a bit deep (and I get a bit passionate) as I talk about a topic that is dear to me but also one that is full of controversy, scepticism, and sensitive topics. I attempt to lay out why I think tourism to North Korea CAN be ethical, and also take a look at why it is often seen as unethical and how it sometimes isn't. I tackle this topic by first busting some
Episode 3: How Strict is North Korea? (What You Can and Can’t do in North Korea)
In this episode, I base it around one of your questions 'Can you bring your iPhone into North Korea'. I cover three main things; myth-busting what ISN'T banned in North Korea, and going over what IS banned, I then talk about the rules you have to follow on a tour to North Korea, before discussing the topic is it safe to visit North Korea...If you think you know all the rules and what's banned and
Episode 2: Who am I & Why Do I Keep Going to North Korea?
So... this episode is all about me. I wanted to get this over and done with! There are so many questions you all seem to have and I repeat this story / parts of it all the time. So here it is; why I first went to North Korea, what my first experience in North Korea was like, how I decided to start working there, how my journey was working there, what I've been doing since the borders have been clo
Episode 1: What's it Really Like to Visit North Korea? [Guest Special]
In this episode, I invite past tourists to North Korea to give you an honest insight into what a tour to North Korea is really like. What you can expect and... what you might not expect at all!Thanks to my guests James, Lok, and Tjasa. Contact me with your questions & guest recommendations on zoediscovers@gmail.com.Follow me on;-> Instagram @zoediscoversnk for pictures, videos, and live ses
Discover North Korea Trailer
Join me (and sometimes my guests) every Thursday when I'll select one question or topic on North Korea based on a question from you, the listeners. You won't find anything political here as this podcast aims to expand the North Korea narrative and rehumanise the issue. Discussions on nuclear weapons, leadership, and human rights issues can be found elsewhere. I aim to educate on North Korea as I k
