Beyond the DMZ: Meet North Korean Defector & Signed Book

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Beyond the DMZ: Meet North Korean Defector & Signed Book

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 US$159.22  per guest
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Adult x2
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Check Availability
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Instant Confirmation
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Earliest available date: August 19, 2026
Free cancellation (24 hours notice)
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For each guest that attends this experience, byFood will donate
10 meals
Summary
Experience Details
What You’ll Experience
Where to Meet
Reviews
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Duration
2 hours
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Number of Guests
2 - 4 guests
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Language
English, Korean
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Other
Private Experience
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Digital Ticket
Mobile or paper ticket accepted
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For each guest that attends this experience, byFood will donate
10 meals

Experience Details

This is not just a tour. It is a rare opportunity to experience a story most people will never hear in their lifetime.


No translator is needed. You will meet Eunhee, who escaped North Korea alone at the age of 21 and is now the author of The Courage to Die. You can ask anything freely and have a real, direct conversation that goes far beyond surface level understanding.


This experience is not about information. It is about connection. You will hear raw and personal stories that cannot be found in documentaries, media, or online searches.


✅ You will also share a meal of authentic North Korean cuisine, where stories and culture come together in a meaningful way.


✅ Each guest will receive a signed copy of The Courage to Die, making this experience something you can carry with you long after it ends.


If you are looking for something truly unique, personal, and unforgettable, this experience will change the way you see North Korea and the meaning of freedom.

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.

What You Get

Dinner
Depends on your booking, it could be lunch or dinner with North Korean food
Personal expenses

Good To Know

  • 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.
  • If there aren't a minimum of 3 customers, the service may be cancelled.
  • This tour/activity will have a maximum of 10 travelers
  • Public transportation options are available nearby
  • Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries
  • Suitable for all physical fitness levels

What You’ll Experience

Private Small Group (Max 5): Dinner, Stories & Human Connection with a North Korean Defector + Signed Book ✅ Perfect for: Curious travelers, human rights supporters, and anyone seeking a deeper, more meaningful travel experience beyond the headlines. Most travelers visit the DMZ. But very few ever meet someone who has lived in North Korea. This experience is hosted by Eunhee, a North Korean defector and author of The Courage to Die, a TEDx speaker fluent in English. You will meet Eunhee at a cozy North Korean restaurant in Seoul and share an authentic meal she grew up with—dishes connected to real memories and everyday life. As you dine together, she will share her personal journey—growing up in North Korea, escaping the regime, and building a new life in South Korea. Just honest conversation, real stories, and a safe space to ask anything—from daily life to defection and the meaning of freedom. ✅ Each guest receives a signed copy of The Courage to Die—a meaningful keepsake from this experience. In a country where many travelers are curious about North Korea, this is more than information. It’s a rare and unique opportunity to truly understand.

Meeting & Pickup

Meeting Point

24, Seoul, South Korea, KR, 03975

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The name of the restaurant is "북녘식당 친친" ▶ It is located within a 12-minute walk from Exit 3 of Hongik University Station.
End Point

This experience ends at the meeting point.

Cancellation Policy

Cancel your booking at least 24 hours before the experience start time to receive a full refund.

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Reviews
5.0
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based on 10 reviews
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(TripAdvisor)
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a deeply meaningful dinner
June 02, 2025

It 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 ab...read more

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(Viator)
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Highlight of our time in Seoul
March 26, 2025

My 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 hav...read more

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Great Dinner, Better Conversation!
March 25, 2025

We 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 tal...read more

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(Viator)
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Fantastic experience!
May 12, 2024

Wow! 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, pl...read more

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(Viator)
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You MUST book this unmissable experience whether or not you visit the DMZ!
May 10, 2024

Meeting 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 a...read more

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