A tourist who claims to have visited North Korea made a stunning comparison, likening scenery in the country to Dubai or Spain – but with a crucial difference.
The Spaniard, who goes by Caminante Rojo on social media, visited the country weeks after it reopened to visitors after years of closed borders. He documented his experiences as a visitor on his TikTok account.
Commenting on the newly-built skyscrapers, he compared the high rises to more popular holiday destinations and visited a bar for drinks and food.
Inside the modern-looking bar he was given a menu of the drinks on offer, which included what he said were imported beers being sold at sky-high prices.
Describing his experience in the video, he said: “We have just been stopped at one of the newest streets in the centre of the city. This is by far the most luxurious part we have seen in our trip. It almost looks like Dubai.
“Don’t tell me it doesn’t. Look, I’m telling you, these buildings could be in Spain. And here it is, the beer bar, with a good pair of columns shaped like beer bottles. And look at the glass window, with beer foam and everything.”
Struck by the prices, he added: “A Delirium beer for $79 (£59.67)! It can’t be, that’s crazy! This six-litre one costs $629 (£475.12). The effects of sanctions and being a blocked country? Sky-high prices. I think we’ll leave the imported beer for another day.”
Finally, he decided to try a local beer that costs $3 (£2.27). “They haven’t put us separately like in other places.” he adds as he sits near to other residents.
“There are also Koreans here. We have ordered eight types of beer for a tasting.”
As an accompaniment, they brought him dried, salted fish, which he described as a “very typical” dish.
North Korea allowed western tourists to return to the country to visit a special economic zone near the Chinese border earlier this year but appeared to put a new halt on tourism just weeks later. However some tour companies are offering brave visitors the chance to take part in guided tours scheduled in the coming months.
Hundreds of foreigners were also allowed to take part in the Pyonyang marathon earlier this month.
Operator Young Pioneer Tours said while North Korea was officially closed to tourism, “it’s clear the country is starting to loosen its grip on international tourism. These gradual steps are a strong indication that Pyongyang won’t stay shut forever – and likely, it will happen sooner rather than later.”
However, due to the level of tension on the Korea peninsula, British travellers are advised by the Foreign Office against “all but essential travel” to North Korea. Meanwhile permission to film is tightly controlled by the government. People are urged to follow the advice of their tour operator.
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