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Former Socceroos star Erik Paartalu has opened up about a terrifying trip to North Korea when he was playing for Indian club Bengaluru in 2017.
Paartalu has detailed several bizarre and disturbing experiences he and his teammates had in the totalitarian nation at a time when it was testing long-range missiles.
‘The bellboy at the hotel, he said if you would have come down (later) at 6am, you would have seen the missile go over the hotel,’ Paartalu told the Suited and Booted TV podcast.
Paartalu’s side ended up winning a tie against a Pyongyang-based team, after drawing the match in North Korea and previously winning their match at home 3-0.
Now the 39-year-old has disclosed just how tight the security presence is in the mysterious country.
‘Getting into North Korea was crazy. You had to stay in China for a night. But we were like the only flight [at the airport] for that afternoon,’ he said.
Erik Paartalu (pictured) has spoken publicly about his terrifying experience playing in North Korea
The Aussie football star (pictured with partner Sonal) has detailed the scary scenes he witnessed when he was in the rogue nation
Paartalu (pictured) played two matches for Australia back in 2013
The Aussie football star, who now works as a commentator, has explained that arriving in North Korea is an experience you can’t get anywhere else.
‘We landed and literally (security officials started) going through phones, tablets… I don’t know what coding they were putting on there to not (even) ask us to unlock,’ he said.
‘They just knew… (and were) trying to find material or stuff we’d (been sending) and of course we’re in the group chat (speaking about) Kim Jong Un.
‘We were sh***ing ourselves, going, we’re not getting in here.’
Paartalu was also struck by the incredible power North Korean leader Kim Jong Un wields in the nation.
‘People (were) going nuts meeting him, crying, it was total propaganda – and it hits you straight away, and you’re reminded of it everywhere you go,’ he said.
‘There’s massive posters of the grandfather, dad, and every person over 16 has to wear a pin on their shirt that’s either a North Korea pin or of a family member.’
Paartalu played in Scotland, China, Thailand, South Korea and Qatar during his career, which saw him clock up 399 senior games after getting his start with the Northern Spirit side in Sydney.
He also represented Australia at under-17s level.
