North Korea is greeting Russian tourists, possibly the first visitors since the start of the pandemic.
On Friday, a group of Russian tourists visited North Korea, possibly becoming the first from any nation to enter the isolated country since the pandemic began.
The trip highlights the growing partnership between the two nations, which began with a gathering in September between North Korea’s leader Kim Jong Un and Russian President Vladimir Putin at a spaceport in Russia’s Far East.
Due to the sanctions imposed on Russia after its invasion of Ukraine, a growing number of Russians are facing difficulties when attempting to visit Europe and the United States. In October, Sergey Lavrov, the Russian Foreign Minister, suggested North Korea as a potential vacation spot.
The South Korean government stated that there is no documented evidence of North Korean state media reporting on tourists entering the country amid the COVID-19 outbreak.
A cohort of Russian visitors, possibly the initial international guests from any nation to reach North Korea since the pandemic, arrived at Pyongyang International Airport in Pyongyang, North Korea on February 9, 2024.
Inna Mukhina, the general director of Vostok Intur agency, announced that the tour group will first travel to Pyongyang, the capital, and then participate in skiing activities. According to the online schedule of Vladivostok airport, an Air Koryo flight departed for Pyongyang at 1:39 p.m. on Friday.
A group departed from Vladivostok airport in the Far East region of Russia. Mukhina stated that there was a high demand for the tour, and the group consists of individuals from various locations in Russia such as Moscow, St. Petersburg, and Kaliningrad, which is located between Poland and Lithuania. She also mentioned that there are children from a Russian school specializing in skiing, with the goal of producing Olympic champions.
According to Mukhina, the motives of Russians who visit North Korea differ. Some are drawn by the chance to explore a secretive nation, while others are primarily interested in skiing and snowboarding.
Galina Polevshchikova expressed her excitement for skiing to the AP at Vladivostok airport before boarding her flight to Pyongyang. She mentioned her desire to visit the notoriously secretive location for the chance to ski.
On February 9, 2024, the initial group of Russian travelers arrived at the international airport in Vladivostok, located in the Primorsky Krai region of Russia’s Far East. They proceeded to walk to the boarding gate to catch their flight to North Korea.
According to Mukhina, the group is not your typical tourist group, but rather a “trial tour delegation” that could potentially open the door for more Russian tourists in the future.
The journey came as a shock to those monitoring Asia, as they had anticipated that the initial tourists to visit North Korea after the pandemic would be from China, the North’s main diplomatic partner and source of economic support.
In January, a Tass article stated that a group of travelers will tour landmarks in Pyongyang, including the “Tower of Juche Idea,” which is named after North Korea’s principle of self-reliance. The article also mentioned that the tourists will continue their journey to Masik Pass on the east coast, which is home to North Korea’s most advanced ski resort.
The website for Vostok Intur agency raves about (Masik Pass) as a true paradise for those who love winter sports. It boasts incredible slopes of varying difficulty levels, catering to both seasoned skiers and newcomers.
According to Tass and the tour agency, the cost for the tour is $750 per person.
According to Tass, the journey was organized based on a deal made between Oleg Kozhemyako, governor of Primorye, and officials from North Korea.
Kozhemyako traveled to Pyongyang in December for talks on boosting economic ties as part of a flurry of bilateral exchanges since the Kim-Putin summit. Ahead of the trip, he told Russian media he expected to discuss tourism, agriculture and trade cooperation.
A group of tourists from Russia, possibly the earliest international visitors to enter North Korea since the pandemic, take a group photo upon their arrival at Pyongyang International Airport in Pyongyang, North Korea on February 9, 2024.
The increasing connections between North Korea and Russia occur while they are both engaged in separate conflicts with the United States and its allies – North Korea for its progressing nuclear program, and Russia for its ongoing war with Ukraine.
The meeting between Kim and Putin has raised concerns worldwide that North Korea may be providing traditional weapons to Russia in exchange for advanced Russian technology and additional assistance for their conflict in Ukraine.
The government of North Korea has been gradually loosening restrictions put in place during the pandemic and allowing more international travel in order to boost its struggling economy. The country has faced significant challenges due to the lockdown and continuing sanctions imposed by the United States. According to South Korea’s intelligence agency, North Korea’s economy has contracted every year from 2020 to 2022, resulting in a 12% decrease in gross domestic product compared to 2016.
Before the pandemic, Chinese tourists made up approximately 90% of the total foreign visitors to North Korea. In 2019, North Korea saw a record-breaking 300,000 foreign tourists, which generated estimated earnings of $90 million to $150 million for the country, according to analysts.
Source: voanews.com
