100 tourists allowed into North Korea – These are the things they saw – 2024-03-03 08:23:51

On Mansu Hill in Pyongyang, North Korea, there are large, bronze statues of the country’s late leaders. In the photo, citizens bow to North Korea’s founder Kim Il Sung (left) and his son Kim Jong Il. Kyodonews, ZumaWire / MVPHOTOS

Russian tourists have not had the same travel opportunities since Russia invaded Ukraine more than two years ago. Now Russia’s ally has offered them a rare opportunity, namely the chance to go on vacation to North Korea.

CNN reported on the four-day trip of a Russian tourist group to North Korea. Two of the tourists who went on the trip tell them about their eye-opening experience.

Marketing professional called Lena Bychcova was one of about 100 Russian citizens allowed to travel to North Korea in February. The trip is believed to be the isolated country’s first international tourist trip since the coronavirus pandemic.

Bychcova arrived in Pyongyang, North Korea in a tourist group on February 9. The group flew to the country from Vladivostok on a North Korean airline.

Although Bychcova admits to CNN that she approached the trip with caution, she says that curiosity took away the victory. He couldn’t pass up the opportunity to see a country that few people get to know.

Travel blogger Ilja Voskresensky was also excited about the trip. As a precaution, Voskresensky listed his part-time occupation, selling vintage food, instead of disclosing that he was a content creator.

One of the reasons that made him go on that vacation trip was the desire to find out if today’s North Korea really corresponds to Russia during the Soviet era. He had heard stories from his relatives about how his grandparents used to live in conditions similar to those in North Korea today.

– That country is like a teleport to the past. There are no ads in the city at all. The only things on display are party slogans, flags and so on, Voskresensky tells CNN.

Strict rules

The Russians were given strict rules to follow during the visit. Filming in particular was heavily restricted.

– We were not allowed to photograph the army or people in uniform. We were also instructed not to photograph construction sites or unfinished buildings, Bychcova tells CNN.

– In addition, there were rules about how the portraits and sculptures of the country’s leaders should be photographed and treated. For example, if you have a newspaper with a picture of a leader in your hands, you cannot fold the newspaper so that the portrait is wrinkled, Bychcova adds.

While Russians were free to discuss their trip to North Korea and their thoughts on the Kim regime, the same privilege does not apply in their own country.

Criticizing Putin, Russian politics and the military is a crime in Russia.

Both Voskresensky and Bychcova say they were aware of North Korea’s human rights violations. however, they hoped the trip would be worth it to get to know ordinary North Korean people.

A four-day visit to North Korea costs just under 700 euros per passenger. The group was constantly accompanied by Russian-speaking guides and translators.

The trip included a visit to the bronze statues of late leaders Kim Il Sung and Kim Jong Il on Mansu Hill. In addition, the group visited Mangyongdae Children’s Palace, where local children performed music and dance performances. They spent three days at the Masikryong ski resort.

The second Russian skiing holiday trip to North Korea is planned to be organized now in March.