North Korea Launches Dining Boat Tours on the Taedong River

North Korea has introduced a new tourism product that allows visitors to enjoy meals while cruising on the Taedong River in Pyongyang. According to a report from the Choson Sinbo, the official newspaper of the General Association of Korean Residents in Japan, the circular boats have become quite popular, offering dining services on board.

These boats, which come in 6-person and 12-person capacities, are equipped with canopies and allow guests to steer them. In the center of the boat, there is a table designed for grilling bulgogi, a popular Korean dish.

Ha Bo-rim, the head of the Passenger Service Bureau at the Ministry of Land and Maritime Transport, stated that the demand for these boat tours is exceptionally high, particularly among families. He noted that once people experience the joy of being on the boat, they often lose track of time.

To accommodate customer needs, reservations can be made via mobile phones, although demand can be overwhelming during holidays and weekends.

North Korea has long utilized the Taedong River as a tourist attraction. The Daedonggang-ho, a restaurant boat that opened in April 2013, is a popular destination for both Pyongyang residents and foreign tourists, capable of hosting over 300 guests and featuring banquet facilities.

The recent focus on developing tourism products is seen as a strategy to generate foreign currency, as tourism is not subject to international sanctions. Additionally, it aims to stimulate consumption among the wealthy class known as 'donju,' who have made money in the informal markets, thereby promoting currency circulation.