North Korea's sandy diplomacy: Beach tourism targets Russians
North Korea entices tourists to visit its beaches. Advertisements have appeared online, featuring cheerful Russians enjoying themselves in the country.
In January 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 that approximately 100 Russian tourists had arrived in North Korea for a four-day skiing trip. Now it's time to promote summer resorts.
North Korea entices tourists
The regime's television recently released a few video commercials online targeted mainly at young Russians, luring them with kilometres of pristine beaches in the hermit kingdom.
The films, shot on Majeon Beach in South Hamgyong Province, depict fit, attractive Russians walking by the sea, playing on the sand and in the water, or playing beach volleyball. It all looks very idyllic. Nothing to do but spend roubles on trips to North Korea.
Interestingly, in the advert, women are dressed in bikinis, although the popular Western swimwear is banned in the totalitarian state. However, local authorities generally do not require tourists to adhere to the same standards as its residents.
Kim and Putin's alliance
Russia and North Korea have been strengthening their alliance in recent years. During a visit to North Korea in June, Vladimir Putin signed a mutual assistance agreement with North Korean dictator Kim Jong Un in the event of an attack on either nation.
Putin came to see the cheering crowds in Pyongyang and the lavish ceremonies accompanied by a guard of honour with 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).
