North Korea hosted the Pyongyang International Marathon for the first time in six years, and the appearance of Pyongyang was revealed to the world through a British YouTuber with millions of subscribers. While North Korea is reported to have responded more flexibly to visitors by allowing filming by foreign YouTubers, North Korean guides still took mentions of leaders like Kim Jong Un sensitively.
British travel YouTuber Harry Jagard, who has 2.33 million subscribers, released a video of his visit to North Korea on the occasion of participating in the Pyongyang International Marathon on the 9th. He took part in this event as a member of the England Amateur Marathon Association. However, he noted, "In fact, I've never run a marathon in my life," saying he participated in the event to visit Pyongyang. Visitors participating in the Pyongyang Marathon are known to need a special invitation from the North Korean Ministry of Physical Culture and Sports instead of a tourist visa.
He reportedly received guidance from a North Korean guide about four principles to follow while touring: do not leave the guide, do not film without the guide's permission, do not use disrespectful language regarding Kim Jong Un, and do not spread religious objects.
Jagard did not shy away from this and asked a question related to the successor of Kim Jong Un while conversing with his North Korean guide. When he asked, "Does Chairman Kim Jong Un have a daughter?" the guide immediately replied, "Yes." Then, when Jagard asked, "Could his daughter Kim Joo-ae be a successor?" the guide hesitated and replied, "I’m not sure."
During this, the North Korean guide emphasized loyalty to Kim Jong Un. When asked what kind of understanding he hoped foreign visitors would gain from visiting North Korea, he said, "We have a great leader," adding that "he is a source of strength and energy for us, and his visits attract national attention, making those who meet him the envy of many."
Jagard also reported that the new urban area of Pyongyang was included in the tourist course for visitors. Strolling through the newly developed Rimheung Street in the Mars District, he remarked, "North Korea is cleaner and more orderly than expected," while also expressing suspicion that "they might only be exposing parts they want to show." He stated, "Music blared loudly on the streets, but it seemed like no one lived in the apartments," and added, "Contact with local residents was difficult, and there were people who seemed staged."