"It's very similar to Russia." Teenagers who visited North Korea shared their impressions of the country and its summer camps.
Lipchanin Matvey Kobzev и Maria Urivalkina from Ulyanovsk were among the first this year to visit the North Korean children's camp "Sondowon". They set off there in July"for exchange"with North Korean schoolchildren who visited Artek, Orlyonok, and other Russian camps.
Kobzev described his first impressions as follows: "At first, it was a little scary—imagine, you get off the plane and are met by a bunch of soldiers who search you. I realized the country isn't what they describe. It's very similar to Russia. People there walk, stroll, and socialize. And Pyongyang is like Moscow. It has fairly modern neighborhoods. There are lots of patriotic slogans and portraits of leaders."
The teenager was surprised that there was no internet at the camp, and the local children didn't have cell phones. Landlines were used for local calls. The Russian teenagers were unable to communicate with their North Korean peers. The boy called the trip a "useful experience," and his mother Alla Kobzeva even a little envied to the son: "I wish I were in his place!".
A story by eighth-grader Urivalkina turned more restrained: "Our trip began with a visit to Pyongyang's main attractions: laying flowers at the Liberation Monument, the Schoolchildren's Palace, and the Munsu Water Park. We learned a lot about North Korean history and traditions and were introduced to Russian culture. Korean schoolchildren held a 'Korea Day' for us, and we organized a 'Russia Day'."
Internet users did not remain indifferent to the topic. "Irreversible processes have begun there. Don't you dare bully children!" "Now he'll be seeing a psychologist; the child is traumatized." — Lipetsk residents suggested. Ulyanovsk residents too. revolted: "This is crazy. Is this a success now?", "A theoretical understanding of North Korea is enough," "He's back, thank God."
Photo: from Kobzev's archive, from Urivalkina's archive