CNN featured a story about Ilya Voskresensky, a Russian woman who visited North Korea. After much deliberation, Ilya decided to visit North Korea, stating that she wanted to compare the country to the old Soviet Union. Reflecting on her experience, she said, “It felt like traveling back in time. There were no advertisements in the city, only party slogans and flags.”
Due to the stringent regulations on independent travel for foreigners in North Korea, Ilya’s trip was organized as a group tour. She flew to Pyongyang via Air Koryo and visited Kim Il Sung Square, Mangyongdae Children’s Palace, and the Masikryong Ski Resort, among other places. The trip cost about $840 USD (approximately 1 million Korean Won) per person. After a three-night, four-day itinerary, the group of about 100 Russian tourists returned home.
In her candid observations, she noted North Korea’s effort to project a specific image while hiding its true nature from Russian tourists.
What’s this vibe? A rosy outlook between North Korea and Russia
The relationship between North Korea and Russia, Kim Jong Un and Putin, is hard to define in a single word. It seems close, yet not entirely friendly. Both countries have been strictly for their respective interests. However, recently, there’s been a warming trend between the two countries. But what exactly happened between them?
Expanding exchanges, deepening relations
On February 9, 97 Russian tourists, including Ilya, visited Pyongyang, North Korea. They toured Kim Il Sung Square and the Masikryong Ski Resort before returning to Russia on February 12. Given North Korea’s isolationist stance, the group tour offered the tourists a unique experience. But their visit to North Korea didn’t end there.
The Russian group tour to North Korea was conducted in three phases. The second tour occurred from March 8 to 11, and the third from March 11 to 15. Conversely, visits to Russia from North Korea have also become increasingly common recently.
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