Imagine a beach resort where armed guards outnumber sunbathers, propaganda blares from loudspeakers, and every interaction feels staged. This is the bizarre reality of North Korea's Masikryong Ski Resort, a so-called 'luxury' getaway that offers visitors a chilling glimpse into the world's most secretive dictatorship.
A Facade of Luxury
On the surface, Masikryong boasts the trappings of a high-end destination: pristine slopes, a modern hotel, and even a "beach club" with imported palm trees. But as one British tourist discovered, the resort is a carefully constructed illusion.
Surveillance State by the Sea
"Every moment felt monitored," the traveller recounted. "Minders accompanied us everywhere, conversations with staff were clearly scripted, and even smiling felt performative." The resort's stunning coastline is eerily empty – no locals in sight, just the ever-watchful eyes of the regime.
The Propaganda Machine at Play
Even leisure activities served as political theatre. Evenings featured mandatory screenings of documentaries glorifying the Kim dynasty, while the resort's museum bizarrely displayed "ski equipment used by the Dear Leader."
A Holiday Like No Other
This surreal experience raises troubling questions about tourism in repressive regimes. While the DPRK claims the resort showcases "socialist prosperity," visitors leave with a starkly different impression – one of isolation, control, and the disturbing gap between propaganda and reality.
