January 29, 2018 12:24
North Korea is going all out to advertise the Masikryong Ski Resort and neighboring special tourism zone, which are pet projects of leader Kim Jong-un.
The North is trying to maximize the propaganda effect of piggybacking on the Winter Olympics in Pyeongchang.
North Korean propaganda outlet Meari recently posted footage of the ski resort featuring Swedish snow machines, Italian vehicles and Canadian snowmobiles. The presence of imported equipment raises concerns that UN Security Council sanctions were violated in acquiring them.
The video also promotes the Wonsan-Kalma tourism zone.
Up-and-coming South and North Korean skiers are to train at the resort under agreements struck to facilitate North Korea's participation in the Olympics here, and the North is squeezing every last drop of publicity out of it.
North Korean state media hailed the resort last Monday, a day before a South Korean inspection team was due to arrive. And on Thursday, when the inspection team headed back to South Korea, the state media touted Kalma Airport, which cost some US$200 million to build, as well as Mt. Kumgang resort.
The North, meanwhile, has slammed the U.S. for issuing another list of entities and individuals subject to sanctions last week. The North Korean Foreign Ministry in a statement on Saturday said that the U.S., "with its vicious intent, is pouring cold water" on inter-Korean exchanges.
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