‘North korea is one of the nicest places I’ve visited’
IT IS a global pariah state known for its secretive, totalitarian regime and nuclear missiles – but one Cardiff man says North Korea is “one of the nicest countries I have ever been to”.
The Asian state enforces strict limits on the number of visitors it allows into the country and requires them to be constantly monitored by statesanctioned guides.
In recent months, the UK Foreign Office has advised against all but essential travel to North Korea due to increasing tensions between Pyongyang and Washington.
But amid missile tests, military exercises and brutal political exchanges, one South Wales man has been on a trip to the Hermit Kingdom and says he had a lovely time.
On September 12, Dean Matthews, of Llanrumney, Cardiff, flew from China to Pyongyang to take the practical exam needed to become a taekwondo master after 35 years devoted to the sport.
The 45-year-old took his 7th dan black belt grading at the Taekwondo Palace in Pyongyang but said he found time to enjoy the sights.
“I was a bit worried going over there,” Dean said. “We knew what was going on with the UN meetings and Mr Trump saying he was going to destroy North Korea, but I feel it was one of the nicest countries I have ever been to.”
Taekwondo is Korea’s national sport, meaning Dean and his fellow competitors got a very warm welcome.
“After the competition finished we were invited to the Kumsusan Palace of the Sun, which is the resting place of Kim Il Sung and Kim Jong Il,” he said.
“There are glass coffins with the former leaders inside, so the security presence is huge. You had to go in, bow and pay your respects.”
On Friday, September 15, the party were awoken from their beds at the Sosan Hotel in Pyongyang by an unexpected sound.
“We were woken up by the missile launch which we could hear from the hotel,” he said.
“I put the TV on and it flashed up saying the missile was flying towards Japan, so I was a little bit concerned.”
Dean said he was reassured by embassy officials who told them they would be treated as a priority if they needed to leave the country.
He added: “There’s posters of missiles in the streets and in the hotel, so they seem to be quite proud of them. But I couldn’t say at any time that I felt in any danger.”
Dean is the head coach of the Welsh ITF taekwondo team and travelled with the squad initially for the World Championships as well as his grading.
Having achieved his 7th dan black belt on the trip, Dean has officially reached the rank of master.
“It feels fantastic and I’m very pleased,” Mr Matthews said. “When I came back my family had some congratulations balloons ready and at my first lesson back with my students I’m more than sure they will be congratulating me.”
He added: “I really enjoyed it and I’m glad I went. I wouldn’t hesitate going back in the future, I just hope the political situation calms down.”