It’s not the first thing that comes to mind when thinking about North Korea, of course: miles and miles of virgin snowalmost empty slopes for skiing at leisure, imposing resorts at all comfort… but it is the bet of the Kim Jong-un regime to ‘reopen its doors’ after the pandemic (North Korea closed its borders at the beginning of the pandemic in 2020). With that motto, precisely, the Russian embassy promotes trips. And those chosen to enjoy that «reopening to the world» are groups of influencers russians that pay—minimum—some $750 for four days.

The groups leave Vladivostok and a two-hour flight operated by the North Korean state airline Air Koryo (with a aging fleet of airplanes mostly Russian manufacturing) leaves them in the North Korean capital. There they are welcomed with musical numbers patriotic (generally run by groups of young communists), bows to the supreme leader and controlled rides… like everything in these tours, always watched.

Luxury empty ski resorts

On the second day they are taken to the high mountain macro complex, with spacious rooms in which nothing is missing. 40 dollars seems like the rate for many Additional features: that costs, per day, the ski pass; or the rental of all equipment for two hours; or a ski instructor, as explained by one influencer. The souvenirs and other expenses, including alcohol and tobacco, must also be be paid separately, at every turn.

After skiing, you can enjoy a relaxing session: sauna, swimming pool, massage… “a very complete spa to be 100% satisfied,” they say. Although, they also add, everything is “perhaps a little minimalist” for Russian tastes. Luxurious ski resorts that would otherwise be empty.

Those elected, “100% satisfied”, but find a country mired in hopelessness

More than 200 tourists from Russia They have visited North Korea so far this year, on three trips in February and March. Their stories give a unusual vision of life in the Kim Jong-un regime. And during their stay they can walk – but not record, and always under surveillance – outside the resort. And there the “Asian luxury” ceases to exist: the Russians find themselves “low people, scared or angry” either “almost naked children despite the cold,” some have confessed to Western media.

“During the entire trip you could feel the hopelessness and the constant control in the country,” Russian designer Olga Shpalok told The Guardian.

Business between ‘outsiders’ of the international community

Nothing about this is casual: Moscow and Pyongyang have become very close in the last times –weapons involved—and tourism is another way of Putin for pay favors. Faced with increasingly strict international sanctions and a food crisis supposedly caused by pandemic isolation, any strong currency is welcome in cash-strapped coffers like those of Pyongyang. “It says a lot about the regime’s priorities that North Korea has chosen to allow access to Russian tourists, but continues to refuse entry to humanitarian organizations that offer themselves.”comment from Human Rights organizations.

The two countries seem to have big plans for a more or less joint future. For example, North Korea is already building another macrostation ski for russians which will include 17 hotels, 37 guest houses and 29 shops.