North Korea
Meeting the entire North Korean national football team U19 on the train

Johan Kruseman
Updated on 24 July 2024

On the train, I met the North Korean National Team for boys under 19. It was super interesting to talk and play cards with them since it was one of the few opportunities I had to “freely” interact with Koreans. One boy had bumped his little toe during a match and had a small wound. The team doctor, Doctor An, took no half measures and applied everything he learned in university about infections. Twice a day, the doctor gave the boy an infusion to kill any possible bacteria.

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Traveled route: Sino-Korean Friendship Bridge, Pyjongyang, Kaesong Checkpoint, Wonsan, Hamhung

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Meeting the Chief General Manager and our personal private guide

And here, I learned that Koreans love titles. Besides Doctor An, there was also the Chief General Manager on board. When I asked about the responsibilities of a Chief General Manager, she weightily answered that she arranged the food for the team. A

North Korea
Did this story inspire you to go to North Korea? Read more on what North Korea has to offer, what the best months are for visiting and check the handy links for backpacking there.

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North Korea addMaskedRevealAnimation('66fea13f8573c');Meeting the entire North Korean national football team U19 on the train addMaskedRevealAnimation('66fea13f8574a');

Meeting the Chief General Manager and our personal private guide

North KoreaaddMaskedRevealAnimation('66fea13f863d4');Did this story inspire you to go to North Korea? Read more on what North Korea has to offer, what the best months are for visiting and check the handy links for backpacking there.addMaskedRevealAnimation('66fea13f863d8');

North Korea
Meeting the entire North Korean national football team U19 on the train

North Korea
Did this story inspire you to go to North Korea? Read more on what North Korea has to offer, what the best months are for visiting and check the handy links for backpacking there.