I had an acquaintance who got a local boatman to take him across the river sans visa. He thought it would be an adventure, which it was when the DPRK police showed up. However, their incredulity and lack of experience with American refugees fleeing from China into North Korea allowed him time to do a Michael Phelps back across the river where he was taken into custody by the PLA.

Oh, this reads, as if he had a huge amount of luck, but I hope everything went well and he is safely back home and not in an North Korean "reeducation center" ....

Thanks to everyone else for the advice. My best bet is apparently contacting the North Korean Embassy in Berlin and to ask politely, if this route is possible.

An abc friend of mine was able to walk across the river and return during mass games about five years ago.

Can you enlighten the ignorant european on the meaning of the abbreviation "abc friend" ?

American Born Chinese (i.e. they have a much better chance of passing off as Asian folks than those of us with white skin).

The guy I knew was 6'7" with dreadlocks. Didn't exactly blend in.

If this was at the famous place near Dandong by the Hushan Great Wall, where the distance between Chinese soil and North Korean territory (a farming island) is only about 5-6 meters, then I'm afraid it's not possible anymore. Foreigners and Chinese used to get a great kick out of wading across the little shallow tributary of the Yalu River into the North Korean fields located on this island, then hotfooting it back. You could also do little small boat trips down this tributary.

No more. I was there last August and the Chinese have erected a metal wire fence with signs all across their side of the river bank, and have posted a couple of sentries to prevent anybody from trying this stunt. You can look but not touch. The old boats for the trips are rusting and abandoned.