Korea's history spans over 5000 years. Due to its strategic geographical location, neighbouring China, Japan and Russia, the peninsula has often been the field of battle of foreign powers and as now inextricably enmeshed in the global political climate.

Japan occupied Korea from 1910 until the end of the Second World War whereupon the Russians took the surrender in the north and the Americans to the south on the 38th parallel. This was meant to be a temporary border however due to mistrust between Russian and America and the outbreak of the Cold War the line became permanent. Tension between the two halves led to the outbreak of the Korean War, 1950-1953 (Fatherland Liberation War) which has left the country divided until the present day.

The North is a country run on communist principles but dominated by the countries 'Juche Idea', a philosophy aimed at developing self-reliance. With the change in political direction of it's old comrades Russia and China, North Korea has become increasingly isolated and is seen as one of the most difficult countries to get a tourist visa. It was thought that the food and economic crisis would put too great a strain on the Juche ideology, inevitably leading to the opening of the country through reform or even implosion or war. However it is apparent that the DPRK is still maintaining it's steadfast attitude and optimists are seeing this decade as a change through dialogue with the South and the outside world.

The last bastion of communism in the world. A visit now will surely leave a lasting impression in your mind.