North Korean Tourism Kim Jong Un Style: Workers Exploited, Russians Arrive
Welcome to the world of tourism North Korean style – where luxury beaches are built on the backs of exhausted workers, and the first tourists are Russians! Kim Jong Un has opened a new resort on the North Korean coast called the “Wonsan Kalma Tourist Zone,” which has already sparked a storm of criticism due to brutal working conditions.
Hellish Construction
This tourist paradise, reminiscent of Spain’s Benidorm, was built at lightning speed. But did you know workers on the site worked up to 24 hours a day? Yes, you read that right – 24 hours! The UN and human rights organizations warn about the forced labor system in North Korea, where workers, known as “shock brigades,” endure inhumane conditions, poor food, and minimal pay. Some even die from exhaustion, and the authorities don’t care.
Russians as First Tourists?
Although the initial goal was to attract a million tourists, mostly from China and Russia, Chinese tourists are absent. However, Russian travel agencies already offer tours, and the first travelers signed up even before the official opening. The price for a seven-day trip is about $1,000, which is 60% of the average monthly salary in Russia. Still, experts doubt this place will become popular, as Russians have access to far better destinations without constant surveillance and repression.
Abuse of Local Residents
Residents of Wonsan are often evicted from their homes due to the expansion of the tourism project, with compensation being rare and insufficient. Former workers testify about harsh conditions, lack of food, and inhumane treatment. All this while Kim Jong Un poses at the opening as if everything is fine.
Conclusion
While the world views North Korea as a mysterious dictatorship, it tries to present itself as a world-class tourist destination. But behind the scenes lies brutal exploitation and repression. Is it worth paying $1,000 to see a “paradise” built on suffering? Or is this just another example of how a dictatorship uses tourism as a mask for its crimes?
If you’re up for it, share your thoughts – would you ever vacation in North Korea? Or is this just another bizarre tourist story to shake your head at?
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