North Korea has recently increased its efforts to attract tourists by showcasing children’s performances. Tourism in certain regions is revitalizing, so the country develops attractions to maximize public interest. However, criticism is expected over the use of children for the regime’s foreign currency-earning initiatives.
On Monday, Vostok Intur, a North Korea-focused travel agency based in Moscow, Russia, announced on social media that it is promoting the “Bright Buds of Friendship Festival” in Rason City and is accepting tour applications until March 15.
The agency introduced North Korea by stating, “North Koreans begin singing and dancing from kindergarten, with music being a mandatory subject in schools, and all students are required to learn to play two musical instruments.” It also described how North Koreans celebrate national holidays and special occasions with large-scale group performances, emphasizing that “everyone, without exception, dances, and this unites the people.”
A promotional video features young children, appearing to be kindergarteners, dressed in hanbok (traditional Korean attire). In ensemble performances, the children perform choreographed dances to music and play instruments such as the violin, piano, and cello.
In addition to the children’s performances, the travel package includes visits to a taekwondo school, traditional Korean clothing lectures, Korean cuisine classes, and a beach bonfire experience.
North Korea has fully resumed group tourism for foreign visitors for the first time in five years, after closing its borders due to COVID-19. Since tourism is not subject to international sanctions, it remains one of North Korea’s key sources of foreign currency. Currently, the only region where North Korea has reopened tourism is the Rason Special Economic Zone in the northeastern North Hamgyong Province, which borders China and Russia. This zone was designated a special economic district to attract foreign investment and revitalize the economy.
International travel agencies specializing in North Korean tours, including Koryo Tours, Korea Konsult, KTG, and Young Pioneer Tours, now offer Rason tour packages to non-South Korean and non-U.S. citizens. However, whether tourism will resume in other parts of North Korea remains uncertain.
