Koryo Tours
Encyclopedia
Koryo Tours is an independent travel company based in Beijing, specializing in group and independent tourism to the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (also known as North Korea). Koryo Tours is a British run company with over 12 staff. The company has organized travel and cultural exchanges with the DPRK, visiting the country every month since 1993.
Their tours run throughout the year though December is generally closed to tourism due to the cold and closure of the museums. There are packages for staying in the capital Pyongyang with visits to the DMZ
at the border with the Republic of Korea at the 38th parallel. At different times of year there are other events such as the Mass Games and the Pyongyang International Film Festival which are available as special tours when they are running.
‘Crossing the Line’ (2007) Co Producer. Documentary on the US soldiers who defected from South to North Korea in the 1960s, one of whom still lives in Pyongyang with his family. Screened at Sundance and Berlin Film Festivals. www.crossingthelinefilm.com
‘A State of Mind’ (2005) Associate Producer. Documentary following the training and family life of two young girls in the lead up to the Pyongyang Mass Games Screened in both North and South Korea. Premiered in the USA at Tribeca Film Festival, nominated for the Norwegian Peace Film Award and various international awards. www.astateofmind.co.uk
‘The Game of Their Lives’ (2001) Associate Producer. Documentary on the North Korean World Cup team of 1966. Winner of the Royal Television Society award for best sports documentary, received a nomination for Best Historical Documentary at the Grierson Awards, Best Documentary at the British Independent Film Awards, first prizes at the Seville Film Festival. The first western documentary to be broadcast in DPRK (over 10 broadcasts since 2010)
CREDITS: 2009:‘Hana, Dul, Sed’ Austrian Film on the DPRK Women’s Football team. Director: Brigitte Weich 2006: Comrades in Dreams’ film on four projectionists around the world. Director: Uli Gaulke
Their tours run throughout the year though December is generally closed to tourism due to the cold and closure of the museums. There are packages for staying in the capital Pyongyang with visits to the DMZ
Korean Demilitarized Zone
The Korean Demilitarized Zone is a strip of land running across the Korean Peninsula that serves as a buffer zone between North and South Korea. The DMZ cuts the Korean Peninsula roughly in half, crossing the 38th parallel on an angle, with the west end of the DMZ lying south of the parallel and...
at the border with the Republic of Korea at the 38th parallel. At different times of year there are other events such as the Mass Games and the Pyongyang International Film Festival which are available as special tours when they are running.
History
In 1993, Koryo Tours was set up by Nick Bonner and Joshua Green and they have been organizing trips into the Democratic People's Republic of Korea since 1993. Simon Cockerell, Hannah Barraclough and Amanda Carr head the various operations and and promote tourism and cultural exchanges from sports to the arts.Travel
In 1993, Koryo Tours was appointed as a travel specialist by the Korea International Travel Company, part of the DPRK Government body. Koryo Tours takes in over 50% of westerners visiting North Korea. Koryo Tours is responsible for opening up of new destinations in DPRK as well as new activites such as; cycling, educational tours etc.Film Making
‘Comrade Kim goes Flying’ Director/Producer, co-writer in partnership with Another Dimension of An Idea Ltd. Belgium. Currently in edit with co-production on North Korea’s first romantic comedy feature film shot on location in Pyongyang with North Korean cast and crew (35mm film).‘Crossing the Line’ (2007) Co Producer. Documentary on the US soldiers who defected from South to North Korea in the 1960s, one of whom still lives in Pyongyang with his family. Screened at Sundance and Berlin Film Festivals. www.crossingthelinefilm.com
‘A State of Mind’ (2005) Associate Producer. Documentary following the training and family life of two young girls in the lead up to the Pyongyang Mass Games Screened in both North and South Korea. Premiered in the USA at Tribeca Film Festival, nominated for the Norwegian Peace Film Award and various international awards. www.astateofmind.co.uk
‘The Game of Their Lives’ (2001) Associate Producer. Documentary on the North Korean World Cup team of 1966. Winner of the Royal Television Society award for best sports documentary, received a nomination for Best Historical Documentary at the Grierson Awards, Best Documentary at the British Independent Film Awards, first prizes at the Seville Film Festival. The first western documentary to be broadcast in DPRK (over 10 broadcasts since 2010)
CREDITS: 2009:‘Hana, Dul, Sed’ Austrian Film on the DPRK Women’s Football team. Director: Brigitte Weich 2006: Comrades in Dreams’ film on four projectionists around the world. Director: Uli Gaulke