When people plan to spend their holidays, they often don't expect to travel to North Korea.
A possible nuclear war, a unique dictator, and the death of a young American will hold back some Australians. But there are always adventurous Australians.
Travel agencies that organize tours to North Korea say up to 500 Australians travel to North Korea each year.
In July, there were at least two Australian tour groups in North Korea while President Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong-un were talking about North Korea's ballistic missile tests.
Alex Sigley, born in Perth, runs a travel agency called Tongil Tours, whose company was operating a regiment in North Korea.
"it's an interesting country. No other country in the world is like North Korea." He said。
"if we don't feel safe, we won't organize a tour there."
"if it's really dangerous, we can't afford the moral and legal responsibility to take people to North Korea."
They will take the regiment there on New year's Eve and early next year's ski season.
"if you look at media reports about North Korea, it's always about nuclear weapons and Kim Jong un." Sigley said.
"but for Australians, going there in person and reaching out to the North Korean people is an important way to break negative stereotypes."
Raymond Ferguson, a retiree in Brisbane, made it a lifelong task.
As secretary of the Australian Korean Friendship Association, he went to North Korea 14 th time in August this year.
"the Australians have misunderstood North Korea. We are free to visit, of course we have a guide, and we need a guide to explain it, so it is no shame. I'm not worried about my safety in North Korea. This is the safest place I've ever been. "
His mission was to publicize the fairness of North Korea's response to the hostility of the United States and Australia. And he denies the widespread issue of human rights in North Korea.
"the North Korean government provides free education, medical care and even free housing," Ferguson said.
Visitors can only attend official organizations. Led by a local guide, they saw a whitewashed sight.
Australia's foreign ministry has warned Australians to think twice about traveling to North Korea, but North Korea is not on the "do not go" list.