Beachfront diplomacy: North Korea courts Russian tourists
North Korea is enticing tourists to visit its beaches. Advertisements have appeared online, featuring happy Russians enjoying their time in the country.
In January of this year, North Korea opened its borders to tourism for the first time since the COVID-19 pandemic. In February, official information circulated in the media reporting that approximately 100 Russian tourists visited North Korea for a four-day skiing trip. Now, the focus is on promoting summer resorts.
North Korea entices tourists
The regime’s television recently released several video commercials online, targeted mainly at young Russians. The commercials entice them with kilometres of pristine beaches in the hermit kingdom.
The commercials, filmed on Majeon Beach in South Hamgyong Province, show fit and attractive Russians walking by the sea, playing on the sand and in the water, or engaging in beach volleyball. It all looks very idyllic, with nothing to do but spend rubles on trips to North Korea.
Interestingly, in the ads, women are dressed in bikinis, although this popular Western swimwear is banned in the totalitarian state. However, the local authorities do not require tourists to adhere to the same dress standards as residents.
Kim and Putin's alliance
Russia and North Korea have been strengthening their alliance in recent years. During a June visit to North Korea, Vladimir Putin signed a mutual assistance agreement with North Korean dictator Kim Jong Un in case of an attack on either nation.
Putin was met by cheering crowds in Pyongyang and lavish ceremonies, accompanied by an honour guard of soldiers on horseback. A large crowd of civilians, including children, held gigantic portraits of both leaders.
The Polish Ministry of Foreign Affairs advises against all travel to the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (North Korea).
