In September 2012, I led a group of 16 top CEOs from 9 countries to North Korea.  We were seeking to get behind the headlines and garner a better understanding of a country often referred to as the ‘Hermit Kingdom’.

Before visiting North Korea, I believed that it was impossible for foreign tourists to enter the country and that it would be very dangerous to travel there.  Friends and family members were concerned that I might be detained, imprisoned in a labor camp, brainwashed, or worse. Media accounts and documentaries portrayed North Koreans as goose-stepping caricatures, starving peasants, or enslaved masses, validating those stereotypes.

Unfortunately, the mythology surrounding North Korea drives international policy.  A nuanced understanding of the complexities involved would be beneficial for everyone.

For an article detailing my experiences in North Korea, click here.