North Korea has barred Western influencers from joining a tourist delegation to an international trade fair in October, a China-based tour operator informed AFP on Monday.
Despite its diplomatic isolation, North Korea has recently welcomed sporadic groups of international visitors, including hundreds of foreign athletes who participated in the first Pyongyang International Marathon in six years this past April.
China has historically been North Korea’s primary diplomatic, economic, and political supporter, even as the country remains under severe international sanctions.
Travel agency Young Pioneer Tours (YPT) announced Saturday that it will lead a group of foreign tourists to the authoritarian state from October 24 to November 1.
However, the company’s website states that the tour will not be open to journalists, travel content creators, or influencers.
YPT co-founder Rowan Beard told AFP that the restrictions on creators were specifically requested by North Korea.
“We anticipate that once the country officially reopens, there may be stricter scrutiny or limitations on influencers and YouTubers joining tours,” Beard said.
He added that the company had no information on when Pyongyang would resume official media delegations.
In recent months, several online influencers have shared professionally produced videos from inside North Korea.
Chad O’Carroll, founder of the specialist website NK News, noted that many influencers often have larger audiences than professional journalists. However, they typically work without editors and tend to gain extra views through sensationalist content.
“North Korean authorities likely see few benefits and major risks in allowing social media influencers to visit the country, given what we saw earlier this year,” O’Carroll told AFP.
“The result is a community of potential visitors who, in DPRK authorities’ minds, are unlikely to produce content that aligns with state interests,” he explained, using North Korea’s official name.
The YPT tour, priced at 3,995 euros ($4,704), will depart from Beijing and include the Pyongyang Autumn International Trade Fair, North Korea’s largest international business exhibition.
Participants will have a unique opportunity to explore over 450 trade booths showcasing machinery, information technology, energy, pharmaceuticals, consumer goods, and household items.
YPT also stated that the Pyongyang Chamber of Commerce would provide a VIP presentation offering an in-depth overview and insights into the North Korean economy.
The itinerary includes major attractions in Pyongyang and the first Western visit in over five years to Mount Myohyang, which features a museum displaying lavish gifts presented to former North Korean leaders.
Before the COVID-19 pandemic closed its borders, Chinese citizens comprised the majority of foreign tourists and business visitors to the isolated nuclear state.
However, visitor numbers have not rebounded despite Pyongyang’s post-pandemic reopening. Some analysts attribute this trend to Beijing’s displeasure with North Korea’s explicit support for Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. (AFP)
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