Private DMZ Tour with North Korean Defector + N Korean Lunch
Recommended by 100% of travelers
Seoul, South Korea
- 7 to 8 hours (approx.)
- Pickup offered
- Mobile ticket
- Offered in: English
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Overview
With this tour, have the rare opportunity to visit the Korean Demilitarized Zone (DMZ) with a North Korean defector to accompany you. Hear fascinating stories about what it was like living in North Korea and why your guide moved to South Korea in 2017. You can also try North Korean food at a restaurant run by defectors, and access views of North Korean villages.
- Get to the DMZ with ease: Transport is included
- Get picked up directly from your hotel
- Hear local stories about life in North Korea
- No need to bring snacks with you: Lunch is included
What's Included
- LunchLunch (North Korean Food)
- All admission fees
- Hotel pick up
- Travel insurance
- Hotel Drop off
- MealsNo vegetarian option
Meeting and Pickup
Pickup points
Select a pickup point
Pickup details
Please provide the name of your hotel or specify a nearby subway station, train station, or other landmark for pickup.
Operating hours.10:30 am
Itinerary
1
Goyang
2 hours • Admission Ticket Free
2
Odusan Unification Tower
2 hours • Admission Ticket Included
3
Imjingak Pyeonghoa-Nuri Park
1 hour • Admission Ticket Included
4
Hapjeong Station
15 minutes • Admission Ticket Free
Additional Info
- Confirmation will be received at time of booking
- Not wheelchair accessible
- Near public transportation
- Infants must sit on laps
- Most travelers can participate
- Not allow filming or streaming of personal information
- If there are 2 or fewer participants, up to 2 additional guests may join
- This tour/activity will have a maximum of 4 travelers
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Cancellation Policy
You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the experience for a full refund.
Traveler Photos
Reviews
5.0
based on 136 reviews
Eliza_E, Apr 2026
We had such a good time with Jun! He was very informative, helpful, and generous in sharing his story. Plus the food was great!
Sarah_B, Apr 2026
Jun’s story was incredibly moving, he gave insightful information about North Korean history and culture, provided thoughtful answers to our questions, and was a very safe driver.
aapjones, Apr 2026
A very personal and informative tour. Our guide was very friendly and we enjoyed his company. Recommend him and his tour to everyone.
Izela_M, Mar 2026
I booked as a solo traveler and I was paired with a nice couple. Pick up from hongdae was smooth and lunch was delicious. Jun left a lasting impression and his story will stay with me forever. He was super funny and answered our questions. His resilience was inspiring and this was the most memorable part of my trip. Skip the big tours that are catered to tourists and book this educational tour. Despite having some prior knowledge about North Korea from school, Juns story was very insightful
Mark_A, Mar 2026
This tour is the most unique experience you will ever have in Korea. I have learned so much about North Korea vs. South Korea that are not taught in the history books, especially from the perspective of a defector.
For all the foodies out there, it was also very enlightening learning about the food served in North Korea and learning the differences with South Korea.
One of the best tours I have ever taken.
Nathanael_H, Mar 2026
This is such a great experience - the guide is knowledgable and brings a unique perspective to the DMZ and its transformation over the past 50 years. He is friendly and easy to talk to. His story is harrowing and moving. Would recommend to anyone looking for a more personal look at the DMZ and what it means to someone who was and is heavily impacted by it.
Chelsea_Q, Mar 2026
This experience is absolutely incredible. Jun is so thoughtful when sharing his story, and you get to learn so much about North Korea from a North Korean born person. He’s so funny, charming, and interesting. The car is very nice and his driving was safe. I really enjoyed the north Korean food for lunch and always feel foos is a great way to understand a culture. This is a must-do experience if you’re in Seoul.
Kevin_M, Feb 2026
This was the most engaging and rewarding tour we have ever taken, with no exceptions. The host is down-to-earth, friendly, and very open about the realities of the DMZ situation and the challenges that face defectors. This is not the glossy JSA tour; this is a visit to other DMZ locations, with genuine insight and emotion.
Terren_S, Feb 2026
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.
Jack_A, Feb 2026
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.
Betty_W, Jan 2026
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.
Hana_F, Jan 2026
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!!
Anna_P, Jan 2026
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.
Anna_G, Dec 2025
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.
Joseph_S, Dec 2025
Interesting and informative as one would expect being led by someone who escaped NK. Listening to the story while looking over the border was one of the more memorable experiences. The food stop was also good. You don't get to see all the various sites but you see the last train out of NK.
Jeffrey_H, Dec 2025
I’m not sure how to begin this review other than to say it was one of the most meaningful tours we’ve had the privilege to take. Unsure what to think prior to its start we were quickly engaged as Jun told one of the most difficult and inspiring stories we’ve ever heard.
Jun’s knowledge of Korean history, both north and south, along with his deeply personal story of defection make this tour truly one of a kind. His bravery in defecting along with the challenges of making a new life are inspiring.
The intimate setting and Jun’s openness created an environment that led to meaningful discussions and a day that we will not forget.
Thank you Jun for sharing your story with us. You will be in our thoughts.
Anonymous, Nov 2025
Hands down the best tour we have ever taken! This should not be missed when traveling through South Korea. This was a very special experience that we will never forget. If you can only choose one experience to participate in, this is it!
Pamie_C, Nov 2025
I can't stress how much this tour was the highlight of my first trip to Seoul! Jun's stories were heroic, tragic and remarkable. This tour is also different from all the other DMZ "cookie cutter" tours. A very intimate, private tour and highly recommended! Thank you Jun!
Tony_D, Nov 2025
This was the best tour I have ever done in my life. A truly unique life experience. Thank you so much Jun for sharing your story with us today. It is well worth the higher your cost.
Ryan_F, Nov 2025
It was genuinely one of the best experiences I've ever had. Tour guided experiences are usually not for me. Jun is truly one one the most impressive people I've ever met. His story is incredible.
Ruth_H, Oct 2025
Touring the DMZ with Jun, may unexpectedly be the most memorable part of my trip. He is an amazing storyteller and his story as a North Korean defector really drives home the horror and consequences of the Korean war and gets to the heart of why the DMZ exists.
Catherine_B, Oct 2025
Was an informative, eye opening experience. Our guide was great and taught us about the realities of life in North Korea.
Robin_T, Oct 2025
Great tour guide with an even more impressive story. Highly recommend the tour with Jun; he is an amazing guy!
Anna_G, Oct 2025
Jun’s tour was phenomenal. His story lends a personal touch to the DMZ and gives weight and gravity to the place. I appreciated Jun’s perspective on the DMZ and hearing his first hand account of escaping North Korea was incredible. I’m so appreciative of him to share us story.
Ellen_M, Sep 2025
Jun delivers a personal perspective of the struggles that North Koreans face, and gives an honest take on his time defecting and living in South Korea. If you are considering a DMZ visit with a larger tour company, this is without a doubt the better option. It was the highlight of my trip to South Korea and I’m so thankful that Jun was willing to tell his story to us. It was so lovely to meet him and I wish him all the best with his tour business.
Osvaldo_B, Sep 2025
I HIGHLY recommend this tour for anyone interested in the DMZ & learning about some unique history. Jun was incredibly kind and open with his experience. The unique perspective of the story he shared truly grounded me into reality and allowed me to truly understand what life in N. Korea is like.
Jeff_L, Sep 2025
We went to the DMZ and heard an incredible story about defection from North Korea. The story will stay with me for the rest of my life, and I will forever remember and think about how Jun is doing. I'm so grateful he took the mental energy to relive his traumatic past and really put into perspective the situation.
Jacob_W, Aug 2025
Jun was super nice and even helped me take some pictures of North Korea. This tour is a must book!!!
Iris_P, Aug 2025
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!
Anastasia_D, Aug 2025
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
From $150.00
per personup to 24 hours before the experience starts (local time)
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