Private DMZ Tour with North Korean Defector + N Korean Lunch

This was a great experience. Hearing Jun's story was amazing. I had quite a few of the "I'm not crying, you're crying" moments as he told us story.

This was one of the best experiences I’ve had as a traveler. The tour is perfectly done and the story is life changing. Me and my friend couldn’t have been happier. The tour shows you a new perspective that is eye opening. Everyone who visits the DMZ should do this and not the large group tours. Thank you for the story and experience. I can’t be more grateful and honored to hear a life story.

We've been to the DMZ previously. But after 20 years, we were looking for a different perspective. Jun Tours promotional offering through Trip Advisor was intriguing. A private and intimate tour (up to 4 people only), Jun offered a unique experience of dining at an outstanding North Korean restaurant. Food was delicious. His selections of what to show us were appreciated. He knew thebtiming to avoid the crowds and made it so convenient by parking closer to entrances. What we liked best was his offer to pick us up at our hotel mid-morning rather than getting up early and finding thr pick up location in Seoul. Jun was very knowledgeable and provided a wonderful perspective on the DMZ and his untraditional growing up. His observations were refreshing to hear, that life for some is just not fair, but everyone has the power to change their lives with determination, hard work, focus, and a little luck. The only thing Jun could have provided was bottled water for his guests after his nearly 7+ hour tour. While not necessary, it would have added class to already classy and private tour. It would have been fabulous by showing his caring attitude that he has for life.

Absolute privilege to listen to our guide's story and have the opportunity to ask questions and learn from him. It was so much more personal than merely reading information and piecing together a more partial understanding.

Spending the day with Jun has been the highlight of our trip. His story is very moving and interesting, and he speaks about his escape with such maturity, thoughtfulness, and humor. He also does not shy away from sharing his personal feelings about the commercialization of the DMZ and the frustrating politics around reunification, and I really really appreciated that. This is not a glossy tour; it is a real, lived experience and very moving. He is very open to answering questions, and I learned a lot from him that I will be thinking about for a long long time. I cannot recommend this tour enough - it is worth every minute.

If you have found this tour - book it. Schedule it RIGHT NOW. Forget the money, forget any other group tour experience you're looking at...this is absolutely the best possible DMZ experience you can book. The tour and the time spent with Jun will leave a lasting impact on you and quite frankly might be the highlight of your trip to Korea. It was for us. Jun picks you up in his vehicle and he is very friendly and conversational. He is an open book, and you can ask any questions about life and culture in North Korea as well as what life has been like in South Korea. He speaks English very well, too. The North Korean restaurant is such a unique experience and nice part of the journey. Jun orders all of the food and walks you through it. We all thought it was tasty. I want keep most of the experience under wraps to let you fully take it in once you're with him. If I could give this experience 10 stars I would. Hands down the best decision to book.

A completely unique, authentic, and deeply touching experience. Our tour guide was clear and well spoken. We were able to ask endless questions and got heartfelt answers based on lived experience.

I found this tour recommended on Reddit and I'm very glad I was influenced to book this tour. The chance to hear from a North Korean defector was very special. A far different experience of the DMZ than if I went by myself or a regular tour. I feel really grateful to Jun, who does this tour that brings up his difficult memories and somewhat exploits him and his family's suffering. I wish many people will take his tour so he can secure enough money to find his father and pursue the business idea he shared that would allow him to live more peacefully.

This was, without exaggeration, one of the most memorable and moving tours I've ever taken anywhere in the world. Our guide is a North Korean defector who escaped as a teenager, and hearing the DMZ explained through his lived experience transforms what could be a fairly standard tourist itinerary into something profound. He is articulate, thoughtful, generous, and balanced - open about the brutality of the regime he left behind, but clear-eyed and humane about the complexities of South Korean society. He brought history, geopolitics, and the everyday texture of life under totalitarianism alive in a way no book or documentary could. I left genuinely changed. Cannot recommend highly enough.

I am so glad I decided to book this tour! I think visiting with Jun gives you a whole new perspective on the DMZ. Jun organizes it on his own and it's a unique chance to meet him and hear his story. He picked us up in his car and the first stop was the North Korean restaurant which I also really enjoyed. Then we moved to the DMZ where he shared his incredible story of escaping to South Korea and also shared his perspective on the DMZ itself. He is also very passionate about history so I could learn new things about history and relationship between North and South Korea. I am very happy I had a chance to spend the day with him! I'd give the tour 6 stars if it was possible. Jun also mentioned that he may organize North Korean cooking class in the future, so I would definitely also check it out, once it's available :)