Member-only story
My Son Is Back in North Korea
The very first “Westerner” to cross the border since 2020
Straight from the horse’s mouth… 🩷 not to say Rowan is a horse but he is 6'7".
He’s been in negotiations with North Korean officials for the past month to open up the country to Young Pioneer Tours — again. He’s the first one to have his new North Korea (DPRK) visa and his Australian passport stamped. Why does he want to take tours to North Korea again?
Here is his statement.
North Korea’s borders have been closed since Covid19 shut down the world in 2020. It’s taken 5 long years to reopen. DPRK is the last country in the world to reopen its borders, and I’m proud to say my son was instrumental in making this happen. He made history! I spoke to him just before he border-hopped, and just now, after 5 days in the country. I worry about him only a little, but I did make sure he wasn’t going on his own. His business partner, Gareth Johnson, was accompanying him, so that put my mind at ease. I’ve met Gareth at Rowan’s wedding in the Philippines in 2023. I always feel better knowing Rowan’s friends. From the photos, I’d say he took two of his tour guides who’ll…