Google Maps Turns North Korean Gulags Into Tourist Attractions—All in Good Fun
In a bizarre twist of online review culture, North Korea’s notorious gulags now gather a surprisingly high number of “joke reviews” on Google Maps. While the approach may sound like satire, meta‑humor or a way to poke fun at an otherwise sobering reality, it demonstrates how social platforms can slip into the realm of the absurd.
How Many Reviews Are We Talking About?
- Yodok Concentration Camp – 93 reviews, 3.6‑star rating
- Hwasong Gulag – 24 reviews
- Kaechon Gulag No. 14 – 24 reviews
Even the topshelf “tourist spot” boasts a pool and a free CrossFit boot camp—not exactly what you’d expect from a place named Yodok!
Examples of the Lighter Side of Reviews
Here’s a taste of what these laugh‑in‑public comments look like:
“The pool is very nice and the food—well, the lack thereof—is to die for. I’d give five stars but the front desk keeps insisting my check‑out time is tomorrow, every single day. ‘Not today, sir, tomorrow,’ said the clerk. ‘Now enjoy the free CrossFit boot camp until then.’ Strange.”
Reviews like this combine playful exaggeration with an absurdly positive tone. It’s almost as if tourists in the courtyard are handing out compliments to a planned 9‑to‑5 director of the camp.
Why It Makes People Laugh—and Maybe Think Twice
It’s the perfect example of meme‑cultural power. Users are safely revealing the inside jokes they can find at the most unpromising places. At the same time, it shows the strong desire to breathe—by providing a comedic perspective and a conversation starter on what could otherwise be a very bleak historical site.
So keep an eye out if you ever scroll through Google Maps for the next fun destination. The reviews of these North Korean gulags may surprise you; just remember, truly, they’re just jokes—or at least the way the internet sees them.
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Chopping Logs, Losing Pounds, and the Unexpected Side‑Effects
Meet Robert McKay. He’s the type of guy who trades gym sessions for an axe‑wars day. “I really enjoyed chopping wood all day,” he says, “I lost tons of weight—60 lbs in two weeks—and it’s a hell of a lot cheaper (free!) than the Capitalist Pigs who make Jenny Craig.”
- Burned Calories: Roughly 500–600 calories per hour chopping lumber.
- Cost‑Effective: No gym membership, no pricey protein shakes—just a good ol’ axe and a pile of timber.
- The Mood Boost: The crunch of wood and the nature vibe can give a mental health lift that’s hard to beat.
Ideally, you’d think about the kitchen overhead, those slick “weight‑loss” ads, and the roller coaster of overpriced diet plans. In reality, using a chainsaw looks a lot more like self‑care than a corporate obligation.
A Strange Review Banters About a Gulag
While one man talks about weight loss on a saw blade, another finds himself in a far other whirlpool—a comment on a Google Maps review that reads like a cold‑war confusion.
“I hate this. Someone is sick enough to put people through this,” reads a tweet‑style entry by Antonio DiSalvatori. He describes what he sees as a brutal, back‑to‑the‑future version of a concentration camp, claiming it’s been built, in his view, to mirror 1940s Europe with gas chambers, forced labor, and horrific human tests.
- The Wrong History: “I thought the Nazis were so stupid and no one else would end up doing this.”
- He’s Sorry: “I was wrong and from what I have heard, these concentration camps are very similar to the ones in Europe in the 1940s.”
- Call for Action: “All of you making a joke out of this need to stop and if that is the North Korean government talking, then there needs to be something done against this.”
This review’s tone is bewildering, almost as if a tourist got a little too nostalgic for a history lesson after walking past a foot‑long tubing commercial.
Wrapping Up: From Logging to Global Realities
One man’s weight‑loss story reveals how simple, natural action can beat a pricey diet plan. Power‑packed with a heavy axe, it’s a reminder that the best workouts can be the ones that don’t cost a dime.
Yet, the second tale drags readers into a dystopian spillover of a historical nightmare that feels rushed, mash‑up‑y and steeped in a misguided hope that the past lessons have been truly learned.
From the hum of an axe to the chilling echoes of a holocaust, the headlines show — one thing is certain: the world’s shoots at both personal wellness and global injustice are far from what the headlines portray. Every story needs a piece of sound judgment: keep your axe sharp, your weight‑loss claims real, and your history listening to the truth.
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Jack Jay’s “Review” Rant
*Jack Jay dropped a short, sharp note in the review section of Kaechon Gulag No. 14, and he’s not messing around:
He says:
*- “All these mock ‘reviews’ are disgusting.”
- “Flaunting your freedom of speech, movement, expression, and political rights in such a disrespectful manner is outright horrendous in the face of the situation in the North.”
In short, Jay’s calling out the pretentiousness of some “reviews”, demanding a more respectful tone given the harsh reality of life in the Korean Peninsula.
Gulag Review Fiasco: When Mockery Meets Maps
Ever wondered why some folks are posting hilarious yet strangely honest reviews on Google Maps for North Korean gulags? It’s a bizarre internet trend that blends satire, outrage, and a dash of digital mischief.
The Heart of the Debate
Some reviewers claim these jokes are merely mockery of the regime, not disrespect to the horrific reality. Take John Finnerty:
- “Our humor about the Gulags is a mockery of the state itself.”
- He adds, “Listing them on Google Maps is outstanding—it’s a giant middle finger to the state for having them in the first place.”
Commentary from the Crowd
Grace McLaughlin weighed in with a mix of horror and humor:
- “Okay guys. I hate the camps and yes I have read camp 14 and every other book about NK but I can’t resist giving a review.”
- She follows with a playful mock review that sparked a conversation.
How to Find These Reviews
Hit Google Maps, type “gulags in North Korea,” and scroll through the creative—and sometimes shocking—feedback.
Why It Matters
- The Independent popped up about this divisive trend, pointing out the absurdity.
- Meanwhile, Google Maps gets less applause for letting reviews flood in.
What’s your take? Drop a comment below or share your thoughts on Facebook. For more quirky takes, follow me on Twitter @sophiehobson and @londonlovesbiz.
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