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China-Japan-Koreas | |
N.Korea Turns to Sports, Tourism for Hard Currency | |
2013-11-13 | |
The North Korean regime has been pouring huge sums into the construction of exclusive sports and recreational facilities for the rich in Pyongyang and major cities in the provinces.
Back in July, two new hotels opened in Wonsan, Kangwon Province. The Kalma Hotel has 58 bedrooms and the Saenal Hotel accommodates about 200 guests on 18 floors. A ski resort is Since In April, the regime hawked a four-day tour program to watch a marathon as part of anniversary celebrations for nation founder Kim Il-sung. There were also a cycling tour around the border region of Rajin-Sonbong for two days for 1,500 yuan, and a three-day amateur golf championship for foreigners for 999 euros. Koryo Tour, the Chinese travel agency specializing in North Korea tours, is selling a package that includes a night at the notorious mass calisthenics performance "Arirang," tours of downtown Pyongyang including the Kumsusan Palace; trips to the truce village of Panmunjom and the demilitarized zone, Mts. Baekdu and Chilbo. "The North is promoting sports to boost a dynamic image of the young leader and make him popular among the new moneyed elite as well as to earn hard currency," a South Korean government official speculated. But defectors say many ordinary North Koreans are angry that the regime is squandering money on frivolities while failing to end chronic food shortages. | |
Posted by:Steve White |
#3 Will there be golf courses that guarantee a hole in one on every hole like Fat Boy shoots routinely? if not, I'm not going. (but if the object of golf is to get a low score, why even start? can't beat zero) |
Posted by: USN, Ret. 2013-11-13 23:34 |
#2 With Gambling, Not for long. |
Posted by: Redneck Jim 2013-11-13 08:49 |
#1 In other news, there are rich people in North Korea... |
Posted by: Raj 2013-11-13 00:38 |