In a recent tour, the first group of British travelers ventured into North Korea after the country had sealed its borders for over five years due to the pandemic. The tourists followed a strict schedule and were guided by local chaperones throughout their four-night visit to Rason, a remote region of the country. This organization, run by Young Pioneer Tours, has cautiously reintroduced overseas visitors after extensive negotiations with authorities.
"Don’t insult the leaders. Don’t judge our ideology," are among the rules read to tourists before entering one of the world's most reclusive nations, where basic communication such as phone service and cash access are severely restricted. Tour guide Rowan Beard encourages guests to appreciate North Korean life despite the prevalent propaganda, highlighting that citizens have thoughts, aspirations, and humor just like anyone else.
With borders previously closed, it has been challenging to ascertain the current state of the country. The limited recent tours, primarily composed of travel enthusiasts and vloggers, began just a few days ago. They entered North Korea through China, eager to experience its enigmatic culture and stark contrasts.
Among the visitors was Mike O’Kennedy, a British YouTuber, who expressed surprise at the level of supervision during the trip and the curated experiences presented to them. The itinerary included visits to a beer factory, a pharmacy, and even a local school where students performed a concerning dance routine accompanied by animations of ballistic missiles.
Tourists have been kept from the capital, Pyongyang, with guides providing a more controlled glimpse into life in Rason, a designated economic zone. Industry expert Greg Vaczi observed that this region is being used to test newer economic policies and maintain a semblance of capitalist interaction with China while adhering to North Korea's rigid governmental regulations.
Travelers remark on the dilapidated infrastructure and living conditions in Rason, noting poorly maintained roads and rundown buildings. They were also required to undergo extensive health screenings concerning Covid-19, raising questions about the country’s current management and health situation.
Despite the atmosphere, some guides surprisingly kept up to date with international news, even discussing global political issues. However, tourists had to navigate conversations carefully, as revealing too much could endanger their guides.
Critics of North Korean tourism argue that these trips primarily enrich the regime while local citizens remain largely unaware of the tourists’ existence. Joanna Hosaniak of the Citizens Alliance for North Korean Human Rights emphasized that aid workers and diplomats are still barred from entry, leaving tourism a contentious issue.
One poignant moment for Mike O’Kennedy occurred during a school visit when a young girl expressed her desire to travel to the UK, leaving him to ponder the stark divide between their realities.
"Don’t insult the leaders. Don’t judge our ideology," are among the rules read to tourists before entering one of the world's most reclusive nations, where basic communication such as phone service and cash access are severely restricted. Tour guide Rowan Beard encourages guests to appreciate North Korean life despite the prevalent propaganda, highlighting that citizens have thoughts, aspirations, and humor just like anyone else.
With borders previously closed, it has been challenging to ascertain the current state of the country. The limited recent tours, primarily composed of travel enthusiasts and vloggers, began just a few days ago. They entered North Korea through China, eager to experience its enigmatic culture and stark contrasts.
Among the visitors was Mike O’Kennedy, a British YouTuber, who expressed surprise at the level of supervision during the trip and the curated experiences presented to them. The itinerary included visits to a beer factory, a pharmacy, and even a local school where students performed a concerning dance routine accompanied by animations of ballistic missiles.
Tourists have been kept from the capital, Pyongyang, with guides providing a more controlled glimpse into life in Rason, a designated economic zone. Industry expert Greg Vaczi observed that this region is being used to test newer economic policies and maintain a semblance of capitalist interaction with China while adhering to North Korea's rigid governmental regulations.
Travelers remark on the dilapidated infrastructure and living conditions in Rason, noting poorly maintained roads and rundown buildings. They were also required to undergo extensive health screenings concerning Covid-19, raising questions about the country’s current management and health situation.
Despite the atmosphere, some guides surprisingly kept up to date with international news, even discussing global political issues. However, tourists had to navigate conversations carefully, as revealing too much could endanger their guides.
Critics of North Korean tourism argue that these trips primarily enrich the regime while local citizens remain largely unaware of the tourists’ existence. Joanna Hosaniak of the Citizens Alliance for North Korean Human Rights emphasized that aid workers and diplomats are still barred from entry, leaving tourism a contentious issue.
One poignant moment for Mike O’Kennedy occurred during a school visit when a young girl expressed her desire to travel to the UK, leaving him to ponder the stark divide between their realities.
