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Russian Diplomats Flee North Korea by Hand-Powered Rail Cart
WSJ ^ | 26 Feb 2021 | Ann M. Simmons

Posted on 02/26/2021 5:33:08 PM PST by DUMBGRUNT

—Russian diplomats stuck in North Korea for more than a year due to the coronavirus pandemic embarked this week on a remarkable odyssey to get home, traveling by bus, train—and hand-powered rail cart.

For just over a year, the diplomats had been unable to leave North Korea after Pyongyang sealed its borders due to the coronavirus. Deciding to leave on their own, the group traveled 32 hours by train and an additional two hours by bus to reach the North Korean-Russian border.

The group of Russians included the embassy’s third secretary, Vladislav Sorokin, and his 3-year-old daughter Varya, who was the group’s youngest traveler, the ministry said.

Ms. Zakharova said the foreign ministry had “turned to Pyongyang with a request to help our diplomats” several times but unfortunately, this wasn’t the first time it was necessary for Russian nationals to leave North Korea by rail cart, she said.

“thanks to the most severe bans and restrictions, [North Korea] turned out to be the only country which didn’t get the infection.” He added that he has “no doubt” that if even one Covid-19 case had been discovered in Pyongyang, the embassy would have been shut down.

(Excerpt) Read more at wsj.com ...


TOPICS: Chit/Chat; Miscellaneous; Travel
KEYWORDS: coronavirus; covid19; dictatorvsdictator; norks; northkorea; pyongyang; russia; search; varyasorokin; vladislavsorokin
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If you want it done right, do it yourself.
1 posted on 02/26/2021 5:33:08 PM PST by DUMBGRUNT
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To: DUMBGRUNT

Also available here:
https://archive.vn/j6JO8#selection-3989.149-3989.415


2 posted on 02/26/2021 5:33:48 PM PST by DUMBGRUNT ("The enemy has overrun us. We are blowing up everything. Vive la France!"Dien Bien Phu last message.)
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To: DUMBGRUNT

3 posted on 02/26/2021 5:38:42 PM PST by Yo-Yo (is the /sarc tag really necessary?)
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To: DUMBGRUNT

It looks to be about 350 miles as the crow flies from Pyonyang to the Russian border. 32 hours by train!?


4 posted on 02/26/2021 5:39:07 PM PST by 21twelve (Ever Vigilant. Never Fearful!)
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To: DUMBGRUNT

I hope they don’t run into quicksand.


5 posted on 02/26/2021 5:40:51 PM PST by White Lives Matter
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To: Yo-Yo

😂

I just knew that had to be posted, already.


6 posted on 02/26/2021 5:41:18 PM PST by Jane Long (America, Bless God....blessed be the Nation 🙏🏻🇺🇸)
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To: DUMBGRUNT

Russian diplomats and family members used a hand-pushed rail trolley to leave North Korea.

I notice they have the seams of their suit cases taped shut in case of rain, I guess.

7 posted on 02/26/2021 5:41:22 PM PST by blam
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To: 21twelve
It looks to be about 350 miles as the crow flies from Pyonyang to the Russian border. 32 hours by train!?

Was the train hand powered too ?

8 posted on 02/26/2021 5:42:18 PM PST by csvset (tolerance becomes a crime when attached to evil)
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To: DUMBGRUNT

I remember reading years ago that during a famine the Chinese sent a train load of food. The North Koreans wouldn’t return the train.


9 posted on 02/26/2021 5:43:55 PM PST by blam
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To: Yo-Yo

Even thinking about that movie makes me laugh...:)


10 posted on 02/26/2021 5:44:27 PM PST by rlmorel ("I’d rather enjoy a risky freedom than a safe servitude." Robby Dinero, USMC Veteran, Gym Owner)
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To: Yo-Yo

Same thing, only different!


11 posted on 02/26/2021 5:44:39 PM PST by DUMBGRUNT ("The enemy has overrun us. We are blowing up everything. Vive la France!"Dien Bien Phu last message.)
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To: DUMBGRUNT

I had to go look on the map.
It’s about 260 miles from Pyongyang to the border with Russia.
And it took them 34 hours to get there.
Great transportation system!


12 posted on 02/26/2021 5:44:50 PM PST by jerseyman
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To: csvset
Was the train hand powered too?

Well, it IS North Korea...

13 posted on 02/26/2021 5:45:12 PM PST by JRios1968 (I'm guttery and trashy, with a hint of lemon. - Laz)
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To: 21twelve

Thats what I was thinking, must have been the slowest train ever.


14 posted on 02/26/2021 5:46:32 PM PST by Husker24
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To: DUMBGRUNT
...and hand-powered rail cart.

Just like James Bond and Tiffany Case in "Diamonds Are Forever".

15 posted on 02/26/2021 5:48:45 PM PST by TChad (The MSM, having nuked its own credibility, is now bombing the rubble.)
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To: 21twelve

—”350 miles as the crow flies from Pyonyang to the Russian border. 32 hours by train!?”

Still infinitely faster than the famous California HIGHSPEED RAIL.
Also the TCO and cost per ride way-way less.


16 posted on 02/26/2021 5:49:24 PM PST by DUMBGRUNT ("The enemy has overrun us. We are blowing up everything. Vive la France!"Dien Bien Phu last message.)
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To: blam

They look tired?


17 posted on 02/26/2021 5:52:09 PM PST by DUMBGRUNT ("The enemy has overrun us. We are blowing up everything. Vive la France!"Dien Bien Phu last message.)
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To: jerseyman

Great transportation system!

My wife used to take the train from Chicago to Quincy Illinois a 300-mile drive.

About five hours on the schedule. Seldom on schedule.

One trip about 12 hours, the engine quit among other things...No heat in the winter too.

GO AMTRAK.


18 posted on 02/26/2021 6:00:19 PM PST by DUMBGRUNT ("The enemy has overrun us. We are blowing up everything. Vive la France!"Dien Bien Phu last message.)
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To: 21twelve; jerseyman; Husker24

I rode the SooLine in Northern Wisconsin many years ago.
We were due to arrive at a station at 8:00AM we got there at
12:30PM THE NEXT DAY! Snow don’t ya know!
Riding a SooLine coach for 28 1/2 hours is a killer.
(Potty over flowed in our coach —— nice!)


19 posted on 02/26/2021 6:09:16 PM PST by TaMoDee (No more NFL games ever!)
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To: DUMBGRUNT

I’ve heard of going to hell in a handcart, but not of leaving in the same fashion.


20 posted on 02/26/2021 6:18:57 PM PST by proxy_user
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