North Korea's marathon resumes, but tourism industry remains stagnant due to a shift in Russia's strategy
Reliving the Pyongyang International Marathon, veteran participant Simon Cockerell encountered an altered atmosphere compared to previous races, yet the city's vibrant energy persisted. What stood out this time, however, was the noticeable shift in the marathon's organization.
Unlike past marathons announced nearly a year in advance, this one was confirmed a mere month before the event on April 6, leaving limited time for participants to sign up. The only mode of international entry was a flight from Beijing, while the usual assortment of hotels was condensed down to just one – managed by the athletics association in North Korea.
The visitors toured local attractions and tasted North Korean beer, all under the guise of a "sports delegation", not tourists. This highly restricted format, coupled with North Korea's reluctance to reopen its borders to foreign visitors, suggests a strategic shift.
In fact, this change could be connected to the post-pandemic era, when countries like North Korea have been gradually reopening to foreign visitors and reviving international events. It seems that the revival of races like the Pyongyang Marathon may be part of an effort by North Korea to improve its international image and attract foreign revenue.
Meanwhile, the recent COVID-19 pandemic has also played a role in altering North Korea's tourist policies, with a focus on controlled engagement to recover from the economic impact. Furthermore, there have been indications of strategic diplomatic ties being strengthened through cultural and sporting events, with participation from nations like China and Ethiopia.
In light of these insights, it's apparent that the strategic shift in North Korea involves cautious re-engagement with the global community, possibly as part of a broader strategy to economically diversify and strengthen diplomatic networks in the aftermath of the pandemic.
- The Pyongyang International Marathon, which traditionally has been announced a year in advance, was confirmed a month before the event, indicating a change in the usual organization.
- In contrast to usual marathon participation which allows for various international entry methods, this event could only be accessed via a flight from Beijing.
- Instead of the usual selection of hotels, participants were limited to one hotel, managed by North Korea's athletics association.
- Travelers to North Korea were labeled as a "sports delegation" rather than tourists, hinting at a more controlled engagement with foreign visitors.
- As countries like North Korea reopen their borders in the post-pandemic era and revive international events, it appears that events like the Pyongyang Marathon could be a strategy to enhance North Korea's international image and attract foreign revenue.
