I’m a tour guide in North Korea – this is what we tell British tourists when they arrive

A tour guide in North Korea has shared how British tourists are guided in the country that has recently opened its doors for tourism.

As the pandemic spread across the world, quickly sealed its borders as it shut out diplomats, aid workers, and travellers.

North Korea has further cut itself off from the outside world, limiting diplomatic relations and restricting foreign visitors.

The country has become increasingly dependent on and China, both for economic trade and political support, as Western sanctions and geopolitical tensions have made engagement with other nations more difficult.

After years of negotiations and multiple unsuccessful attempts, Rowan, likely a tour operator specialising in North Korean travel, and other travel organisers finally received permission to restart tours.

Knowing how rare this opportunity was, he quickly assembled a group of willing travelers in just five hours, demonstrating the high demand and enthusiasm among those eager to visit North Korea.

According to the travel expert, the main thing that is being considered at the arrival of the British tourists is “Don’t insult the leaders. Don’t insult the ideology. And don’t judge,” reports.

Last Thursday, the group, which included tourists from the UK, France, Germany, and Australia, crossed the border from China into Rason, a remote region in North Korea. The tour lasted four nights, marking one of the first organised Western visits in years.

Rowan Beard, who runs Young Pioneer Tours, one of two Western companies which resumed trips to the country last week, after a five-year hiatus told “The North Koreans aren’t robots. They have opinions, goals, and a sense of humour. And in our briefing we encourage people to listen to and understand them.”

At present, tourists are not taken to the capital Pyongyang. Greg Vaczi from Koryo Tours, the other tour company allowed back in, admits the current itinerary lacks the “big-hitting monuments” of Pyongyang.

He added: “North Koreans get the chance to engage with foreigners. This allows them to come up with new ideas, which, in a country this closed, is so important.”

However, the experiences tour leaders explained that the group’s movements were a bit limited as compared to the previous trips. They had fewer chances to roam around the streets or visit a local supermarket. i

Greg explained that was often cited as the reason. He added: “On the surface they are still concerned. Our luggage was disinfected at the border, our temperatures were taken, and about 50 percent of people are still wearing masks.” Greg cannot work out whether the fear is genuine, or an excuse to control people.”