I hear that the people in North Korea are required to get permits just to travel. Despite that, how do so many people manage to get to the borders?
That’s a good question. In June 1961, I was at the Red Cross Center, preparing to enter North Korea the next day. Even the tax-free shop at the Center carried no maps or timetables. They said the maps and timetables were military secrets. So, you can easily image how difficult it is to get travel permits. More detailed information is provided in the book entitled “Escape from North Korea” co- authored by Kang Chul Hwan and An Hyuk. However, for the past several years, it seems that the issuance of travel permits has become practically impossible due to the discontinuation of rations in the food shortage. The food shortage caused rations to be discontinued, even to authorities. This includes the police (security officers) and the army; it also applies to their families, of course. They are responsible for clamping down, but of course they cannot continue their jobs without food. The result is a lawless world. Thus, people take any kind of opportunities to use transportation. They climb
