WISH YOU WERE KOREA
North Korea is to reopen its doors to tourists for first time since pandemic after five-year lockdown
But the US bans its citizens from visiting the country
NORTH Korea is to reopen its doors to tourists after a five-year lockdown.
The secretive regime will allow in overseas visitors for the first time since the pandemic.
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But it might struggle to get five-star reviews, judging by destinations leader Kim Jong-un has been seen at.
Holidaymakers willing to make the trip could be in for a less than smashing time at a potato farm — or even attempt to get their pleasure at a lubricant factory.
A firing range Kim visited is more likely to hit the spot.
For now, travellers will be able to visit only the remote city of Samjiyon but officials suggested capital Pyongang will soon be open.
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Kim is expected to allow tourists from any country — except South Korea.
But the US bans its citizens from visiting the country.
It comes after reports last month North Korea plans a beach resort next to one of the tyrant’s missile test sites — with him describing it as a “coastal wonderland”.
Two operators in communist ally China have already announced they will fly visitors in from December.
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KTG Tours wrote on social media: “So far just Samjiyon has been officially confirmed but we think that Pyongyang and other places will open too!!!”
But Chad O’Carroll, head of US-based analysis firm Korea Risk Group, said: “I’ll believe it when I see it.
Obese Kim Jong-un already training daughter to take over
"I’m quite sceptical we’ll see any real movement in December.”
Nothing is what it appears
By ALEX PEAKE Sun man who visited North Korea
NORTH Korea is the closest thing you can get to visiting another planet.
Posing as a businessman, I spent a week there in 2011 on an undercover investigation for The Sun.
Our trip was like being in a 1930s Soviet remake of The Truman Show.
The hotel was bugged.
We spoke only to people under the watch of guards.
There were hardly any cars, shops and bars.
Our whole tour was stage managed.
My trip to the place where nothing is as it seems will stay with me forever.
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