A British YouTuber’s video documenting his Pyongyang tour during the Pyongyang International Marathon, held for the first time in six years, has caught the public’s attention. It offers a rare glimpse into Pyongyang, which has been closed to foreign tourists for five years.
On Wednesday, Harry Jaggard, a British YouTuber with approximately 2.33 million subscribers, shared his Pyongyang Marathon experience on his YouTube channel.
Jaggard admitted, “I’ve never run a marathon in my life,” revealing that he participated solely for the chance to enter Pyongyang. He joined the event as part of the UK’s Amateur Marathon Association.
Tourists participating in the Pyongyang Marathon reportedly needed a special invitation from the Ministry of Physical Culture and Sports of the DPRK rather than a standard tourist visa.
Jaggard mentioned in the video that his North Korean tour guide outlined four rules: stick with the guide, don’t take photos without permission, avoid disrespectful comments about Kim Jong Un, and don’t distribute religious items. These rules seem designed to control foreign influences and maintain North Korea’s international image.
Despite these restrictions, Jaggard appeared relatively at ease. He even asked his North Korean guide if Kim Jong Un had a daughter.
The guide promptly confirmed this, but when Jaggard inquired if she might be the next leader, the guide looked flustered and hesitantly replied, “I’m not sure.”
Jaggard’s tour included visiting the “new city” on Pyongyang’s outskirts, constructed during the COVID-19 pandemic. While enjoying a beer at the new Taedonggang Beer House and strolling through Rimhung Street, he observed that music blares loudly in the streets, yet the apartments appear eerily empty.
The YouTuber noted the kindness and friendliness of the North Korean people during his interactions, mentioning great off-camera conversations. However, he observed a stark contrast in their demeanor, highlighting how everyone froze when he brought out a camera, which hinted at the persistent rigidity within North Korean society.
While North Korea briefly resumed tourism for Western visitors last month after a five-year hiatus, it was suspended again after just three weeks. The tourism associated with the Pyongyang International Marathon was reportedly a one-time event. There’s speculation that North Korea might relaunch its tourism industry in June with the opening of the Kalma Coastal Tourist Zone in Gangwon Province.