After having visited the DMZ, I’ve been reading up on some of the weirder aspects and effects of a divided Korea.
Here’s one (Korean-speaking) American’s account of visiting North Korea as a tourist in 2002. Here’s his writings on visiting the same spot on the DMZ that I visited, only from the northern side.
Also these are a few films about North Korea, all of which have now been added to my Netflix queue.
Joint Security Area (2000, South Korea):
“The story begins a few days after two North Korean soldiers are killed in the DMZ. Due to the fragile relationship between the two Koreas a special investigation is conducted by investigators from the two neutral nations Sweden and Switzerland to ensure that this does not trigger a large conflict. The mission is led by Major Sophie (Lee Young Ae), the first female to go into the border area since 1953.”
Seoul Train (2005, US):
“Seoul Train is a 2005 award-winning documentary that deals with the dangerous journeys of North Korean defectors fleeing through or to China. These journeys are both dangerous and daring, since if caught, they face forced repatriation, torture and possible execution.”
A State of Mind (2004, UK):
“A State of Mind is a 2004 documentary film directed by Daniel Gordon. The film follows two North Korean child gymnasts and their families for over eight months during training for the 2003 Pyongyang mass games.”
The Game of Their Lives (2002, UK):
“The Game of Their Lives is a 2002 documentary film directed by Daniel Gordon about the seven surviving members of North Korean national soccer team who participated in the Football World Cup 1966. Its victory over the Italian team propelled the North Korean team into the quarterfinal: it was the first time an Asian squad had advanced so far in a World Cup.
Crossing the Line (2006, UK):
“The film is about US Army defector James Dresnok was directed and produced by British filmmakers Daniel Gordon and Nicholas Bonner, and was shown at the 2007 Sundance Film Festival.”
Here (and here‘s part 2) are the 60 Minutes clips about “Crossing the Line”
