North Korean authorities have recently promoted Pyongyang Golf Course as a leisure destination. However, the course remains inaccessible to the general public, operating primarily to boost tourism.
A source in North Korea, speaking anonymously, told Daily NK recently that North Koreans consider Pyongyang Golf Course a facility “for No. 1 events and the exclusive use of foreigners.” “No. 1 events” refer to those in which North Korean leader Kim Jong Un participates.
Access to the golf course is restricted to employees of Ryomyong Golf Travel Company and foreign visitors, leading locals to believe it is exclusively for the ruling Kim family and foreigners.
“Even nearby residents were unaware of the spring golf enthusiasts’ competition in May — only Ryomyong Golf Travel Company employees and some foreign diplomats participated,” the source said. “People learned about the event through media reports.”
The area around the golf course is heavily guarded, deterring locals from approaching. A resident of Kangso District in Nampo stated that armed sentries prevent ordinary people from accessing the facility. Even Taesong Lake is divided between the golf course and public areas with underwater nets and wire fencing.
Pyongyang Golf Course opened in 1987 and reopened in 2019 after expansion and renovations. Located near Pyongyang on Taesong Lake, it was previously a private resort for the Kim family before becoming a golf-centered tourism complex.
North Korea has been promoting the golf course in various propaganda outlets, aiming to cultivate a more appealing image for overseas tourists. However, this portrayal contrasts sharply with the reality experienced by ordinary North Koreans.
Daily NK works with a network of sources living in North Korea, China, and elsewhere. Their identities remain anonymous for security reasons.
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July 23, 2024 at 12:30PM
by DailyNK(North Korean Media)