We were won over by happy North Koreans
My daughter, Stella, and I visited North Korea in 2014, travelling by ourselves with two guides. We stayed at the ski resort Masikryong (Mail) and found the hotel — a beautiful five-star place — open and functioning normally. It included a fully stocked shop that sold everything required for the sport. the ski runs were being finished off when we were there, and although it was summer we could see the ski lifts with the chairs in place. My daughter Stella, who had been to the country a few years earlier, was pleasantly surprised by the changes she observed, especially among the ordinary people, particularly in the much better way in which they were dressed. the countryside is verdant and people appeared to have gardens that were well stocked with vegetables. Obviously, it’s different in the cities, where many people live in apartment blocks. I’m not naive enough to be unaware that we were shown only what they wanted us to see, but one day, on the way to a remote monastery, our people carrier became stuck on the badly rutted road. Our driver went for help to a nearby village, and we were soon surrounded by curious children. It was a totally unscheduled stop and these children weren’t starving or in rags; they looked healthy and well fed. Our guides told us that the country’s leader, Kim Jong-un, wants Korea to become one unified country (presumably with himself as head of state). apart from that, he didn’t seem to be mentioned much; everyone still worships his grandfather Kim Il-sung. It was a marvellous trip to a country which is stunningly beautiful in parts, and we’re hoping to return one day. Mrs ELIZABETH QUIN,
Bournemouth, Dorset.