North Korea bans Western influencers from attending trade fair

North Korea has banned Western influencers from participating in a delegation of foreign tourists at an international trade fair scheduled for October, a China-based tour operator said on Monday (7).

Travel agency Young Pioneer Tours (YPT) had announced on Saturday that it would take foreign tourists to North Korea to attend the fair, which runs from October 24 to November 1.

But the visit would not be open to journalists, travel content creators or influencers, the company said.

Rowan Beard, co-founder of YPT, told AFP the restrictions were “a specific request from the North Korean side”.

“We anticipate that when the country officially reopens, there may be more scrutiny or limitations on influencers and YouTubers traveling,” Beard said.

Several social media influencers have shared videos recorded in North Korea in recent months.

The YPT trip, costing $4,704 (R$25,500 at the current exchange rate), will depart from Beijing to attend the Pyongyang Autumn International Trade Fair, the largest international business exhibition in North Korea.

The itinerary also includes Pyongyang's top sights, as well as the first visit by Westerners in more than five years to Mount Myohyang - a mystical site that houses a museum of lavish gifts given to North Korean rulers.

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