Reading Material: North Korean Travel Agency Restricts Journalists, Influencers from Trade Fair Tour

1. Introduction to the text This article discusses a North Korean travel company's offer of a 7-night, 8-day tour package to Pyongyang, including a visit to the Pyongyang International Trade Fair. The article highlights that the tour is priced at around 642 million won (approximately $640,000) and that certain groups, such as journalists, content creators, and influencers, are excluded from participating. 2. Vocabulary
Korean Word Romanization English Meaning Contextual Example
평양 Pyeongyang Pyongyang (the capital city of North Korea) The 7-night, 8-day tour package includes a visit to Pyongyang.
여행 yeohaeng travel A North Korean travel company is offering a tour package to Pyongyang.
무역 muyeok trade The tour package includes a visit to the Pyongyang International Trade Fair.
영파이어니어 투어스 Yeongpaineoneo Teujeoseu Youngpioneers Tours (a North Korean travel company) The tour package is offered by the North Korean travel company Youngpioneers Tours.
투어스 Teujeoseu tours Youngpioneers Tours is a North Korean travel company that offers tours.
인플루언서 inpeuruenseo influencer Influencers are excluded from participating in the Pyongyang tour package.
신청 sincheong application Journalists and content creators are excluded from the application for the Pyongyang tour package.
제외 jegwi exclusion Journalists, content creators, and influencers are excluded from the Pyongyang tour package.
공지 gongji notice The travel company has publicly announced that certain groups are excluded from the Pyongyang tour package.
전례 jeonrye precedent The exclusion of certain groups from the Pyongyang tour package appears to be a measure to avoid repeating a past precedent.
3. The main text in both Korean and English 북한 전문 여행사가 오는 10월 열리는 평양 국제 무역 박람회를 계기로 외국인 관광객 모집에 나섰다. 언론인과 여행 콘텐트 제작자, 인플루언서는 신청 대상에서 제외됐다. A North Korean travel company has launched a recruitment drive for foreign tourists to visit the Pyongyang International Trade Fair in October. Journalists, content creators, and influencers have been excluded from the application process. 중국에 본사를 둔 북한 여행 전문업체 '영파이어니어 투어스'는 6일 홈페이지를 통해 오는 10월 24일부터 11월 1일까지 7박 8일 일정의 평양 관광 상품을 공개했다. 여행 일정에는 평양 무역 박람회와 묘향산 관광이 포함됐으며, 비용은 3995유로(약 642만원)로 책정됐다. Youngpioneers Tours, a North Korean travel company headquartered in China, has announced a 7-night, 8-day tour package to Pyongyang on its website. The itinerary includes a visit to the Pyongyang International Trade Fair and a trip to Mount Myohyang, with the cost set at 3,995 euros (approximately 642 million won). 다만 여행사는 '참고 사항'을 통해 박람회 주최 측의 지침에 따라 언론인이나 여행 콘텐츠 제작자, 인플루언서는 이번 관광에 참여할 수 없다고 공지했다. However, the travel company has announced through a "note" that, in accordance with the guidelines of the trade fair organizers, journalists, travel content creators, and influencers are not allowed to participate in this tour. 북한은 지난 2월 나선 경제특구 관광을 재개하면서 5년 만에 서방 단체 관광객의 방문을 허용했지만, 한 달도 지나지 않아 돌연 중단했다. 당시 단체 관광객에 포함된 일부 인플루언서가 SNS에 북한의 내부 사정이 고스란히 담긴 후기를 올린 게 원인으로 지목됐는데, 이런 전례를 되풀이하지 않기 위한 조치로 보인다. North Korea had resumed group tours to the Rason Special Economic Zone in February, allowing Western tourists to visit for the first time in 5 years, but suddenly suspended the tours just a month later. At the time, it was reported that the inclusion of some influencers among the tour group participants, who subsequently posted detailed accounts of North Korea's internal affairs on social media, was the reason for the suspension. The current exclusion of certain groups appears to be a measure to avoid repeating this precedent. 4. Reading comprehension questions
  1. What is the main purpose of the Pyongyang tour package offered by the North Korean travel company?
  2. What is the duration and cost of the Pyongyang tour package?
  3. Which groups of people are excluded from participating in the Pyongyang tour package?
  4. Why did North Korea suddenly suspend group tours to the Rason Special Economic Zone in the past?
  5. How does the current exclusion of certain groups from the Pyongyang tour package appear to be related to the past suspension of group tours?
5. Cultural and historical notes The Pyongyang International Trade Fair is a significant event in North Korea, showcasing the country's industrial and economic achievements. The exclusion of certain groups, such as journalists and influencers, from the tour package is likely a measure to maintain control over the narrative and prevent the dissemination of information that could be perceived as unfavorable by the North Korean government.

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