North Korea opens again to Western tourists

North Korea sealed its borders at the outset of the COVID pandemic, shutting out diplomats, aid workers and travelers, and making it nearly impossible to know what was happening there.

Since then, it has further isolated itself from most of the world, relying on support from Russia and China.

After years of cajoling and several false starts, some tour leaders were given the green light to restart operations.

“Don’t insult the leaders. Don’t insult the ideology. And don’t judge.” These are the rules tour guides read out to Western tourists as they prepare to drive across the border into North Korea, arguably the most secretive and repressive country in the world.

Among the latest visitors to North Korea was 28-year-old YouTuber Mike. Even with its reputation, he was startled by the extreme level of control. As with all trips to North Korea, the tourists were escorted by local guides, who followed a strict, pre-approved schedule. It included carefully choreographed trips to a beer factory, a school, and a new, fully stocked pharmacy.

One of the tour leaders, Ben, likened visiting North Korea to “being on a school trip”. “You can’t leave the hotel without the guides,” he said.

This entry was posted in China, DPRK Government by Grant Montgomery.