Korea June Newsletter

Top 5 Answers to your DMZ Questions!
Kimchi health benefits, June giveaway and May survey winner announced.

Highlights

Asked by planners, answered by KTO are questions about DMZ including safety, budgets, tour options and what to expect when including it in the conference/incentive agenda. As we head into summer, KTO would like to thank Canadian planners for their continued support. Thus, in June, entering your name in the giveaway is all that is needed. A random draw will be done on Jul 12 to announce the winner. Stay tuned and read along.

Top 5 DMZ questions

The Demilitarized Zone (Known as the DMZ) is widely considered a must in the Bucket List of anyone visiting Korea. As more people arrive each year, planners are usually faced with several questions. Here are the Top Five Answers to the most commonly asked questions:

IS IT SAFE TO VISIT THE DMZ?

Answer: Absolutely, yes. While the DMZ in Korea is considered by some “the world’s most dangerous border,” there is no threat to any civilians or visitors. Tourists entering the DMZ go through a routine briefing that covers the do’s and don’ts of the visit. Although a safety waiver is required to visit the JSA (joint security area), where the North Korean and South Korean forces stand facing each other, the briefing will cover everything you need to know to better enjoy the experience.

ARE THERE ANY STEPS THAT I NEED TO TAKE BEFORE THE VISIT? 

Answer: All you have to do is book your visit! It’s that simple. You can even do it from your couch. After you book, a DMZ travel operator will get in touch with you to cover all the details of your visit.

WHAT SHOULD MY DELEGATES BE AWARE OF BEFORE THEIR VISIT?

Answer: You cannot be part of this experience if you don’t bring your passport. Also, out of respect for the local culture, the dress code should be at least smart business casual. What does this mean? Absolutely no torn jeans, no shorts, and no open-toe footwear. Dress as if you were attending a business networking event. There will be several checkpoints along the way where military people board the bus; this is normal protocol.

WHAT IS THE IDEAL BUDGET FOR THIS EXPERIENCE?

Answer: The Price points start around CAD 175.00 per person. The costs may vary on each day of the week, time of the year, exclusive bus/coach requirement, pick-up points, meal(s) needed kind of meal required, and so on. For an incentive group, we recommend budgeting CAD 500.00 per person in order to offer a more elaborate meal. Prices change and we recommend connecting with the tour organizers before submitting the final budget for approval.  

ARE THERE ANY OTHER UNIQUE EXPERIENCES IN THE DMZ?

Answer: Visiting the DMZ is a unique experience by itself. And yes, there’s a chance you get to capture everything that’s unique about this area, including an interview with the North Korean Defector. This interview is conducted in Korean with a translator and a guide. Delegates and attendees can come up-close and hear first-hand for as little as CAD 150 per person for this tour.

You might wish to check out a sample waiver form by clicking here

If you have questions about the budget or the experience in the DMZ contact KTO Canada Office by clicking here.

7 facts about Kimchi

Kimchi is Korea’s unique ethnic food, and historical records showed that kimchi was invented around 4,000 years ago (ref. Science Direct). Fermented food, Kimchi is packed with vitamins and minerals with several health benefits including better gut health. Lactobacilli bacteria is found in Kimchi, which is what makes it an excellent probiotic. Here are some fun facts to impress your colleagues, friends, and family with when it comes to Kimchi:  

  1. An average Korean consumes about 40-57 pounds of Kimchi a year. It is an essential side dish served with almost every meal.
  2. Kimchi has been taken to space by Yi So Yeon, South Korea’s first astronaut. South Korea spent millions of dollars to create Kimchi that would be suitable for consume-in space.
  3. There are over 200 types of Kimchi and with that many variants, not every Korean has tried them all.
  4. Kimchi may aid weight loss and also help reduce body weight, body fat, and blood sugar levels.
  5. Most Koreans have a special kimchi fridge with a more humid environment and less moving air to help maintain the freshness.
  6. Taking photos in Korea? Don’t say cheese, say Kimchi! Many South Koreans go with Smile, Whiskey, or LG.
  7. A kimchi museum was named one of the world’s best food museums by CNN

Curious about more fun facts? Check out K-Pop Foods or Hey Explorer