North Korea is one of the most closed-off and mysterious countries in the world. Kim Jong Un's regime regulates nearly every aspect of citizens' lives, including hairstyles and clothing. This includes swimwear and bikinis, which are strictly forbidden. However, the dictator has been strengthening ties with Vladimir Putin for some time now, prompting North Korea to open its doors to foreign tourists - but only selected ones. This is why a series of ads targeted at Russians has appeared online.
North Korea promotes vacations. Smiling Russians in the video
One of the videos was shared by internet users, including on Reddit, and soon appeared on other platforms, such as the New York Post’s YouTube channel. In the video, a young blonde Russian woman is seen drawing back the curtains in a hotel room, revealing a sunlit beach, along with lounge chairs and umbrellas. The charming landscapes of Majeon in South Hamgyong Province aren’t the only highlight.
Smiling Russians in swim trunks and Russian women in bikinis appear in the footage. Young people are shown playing beach volleyball and riding jet skis. The Korean International Travel Company is using this to encourage Russians, who due to sanctions can only dream of vacations in many places around the world, to visit. There’s just one problem.
Viewers quickly pointed out not only the editing and poor quality of the footage but also the fact that there isn’t a single North Korean person on the beach. Only Russians are visible. Additionally, wearing bikinis is strictly forbidden for citizens of the totalitarian regime, although these rules don’t apply to tourists.
"So many happy local residents" - one Reddit commenter stated sarcastically. Some speculated that such places are likely open exclusively to foreigners.
Can you take a trip to North Korea? No problem, if you’re from Russia
In January 2024, North Korea opened its borders to tourists for the first time since the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020. However, its offerings are mainly aimed at China and Russia. In February, about 100 tourists from Russia were invited by the regime to the Masikryong ski resort near Wonsan. In July, 250 Russian students attended a camp at a resort on the Sea of Japan. Those who had the chance to vacation in North Korea emphasized that "the beaches are beautiful, and the sea is warm." According to the BBC, on Vladimir Putin’s birthday, Kim Jong Un referred to the Russian leader as his "closest comrade." North Korea boasts a 2,495-kilometer coastline, and theoretically, there are many beaches, as seen on maps available online. However, as seen in the video, most of them are empty, and the few tourists are almost exclusively Russians and Chinese.
