British Traveler Goes Viral for Rare North Korea Adventure

A British traveler has captured the internet's attention with his daring journey to one of the world's most secretive nations: North Korea. Mike O'Kennedy, a YouTube creator with over half a million followers, documented his experience in a video titled "Inside North Korea After 5 Years of Isolation," which has already racked up more than 3 million views since its release on February 28.

O'Kennedy ventured into the city of Rason on February 20, making him one of the first Western tourists to step foot in the country after a five-year closure. His video offers a rare glimpse into the enigmatic "Hermit Kingdom," a place he described as being "at least 50 years behind anyone else." While he diplomatically avoided political commentary, O'Kennedy noted, "It's an incredibly proud country."

Among the stranger moments during his trip, O'Kennedy and fellow passengers were ordered to keep their airplane window blinds closed while flying over North Korea—paranoia, meet the skies. And once on the ground, he found certain freedoms, like walking alone or using the bathroom without permission, were strictly off-limits. Even his hotel room windows were sealed shut, as if the country wanted to keep curious eyes from seeing too much—or maybe it was just their version of "privacy glass."

North Korea had only recently reopened its borders in 2023 after nearly half a decade of pandemic-induced isolation. Yet, as of this week, the country has slammed the gates shut again, canceling all foreign tourism. According to KTG Tours, a China-based operator specializing in North Korean visits, "Rason is closed to everyone." The reopening window, it seems, was more like a peephole.

Despite the constant tension, O'Kennedy's documentary reveals moments of both absurdity and humanity. He recalls enjoying North Korean beer and soju during a karaoke night with local guides, though the cuisine left him unimpressed. Flaming snails and sea slugs, anyone? That said, he did witness an extravagant children’s performance in Rason, featuring space costumes, a light show, and—because why not—rockets, all dedicated to leader Kim Jong Un. According to O'Kennedy, "The recurring theme throughout this trip was the utter devotion people had towards Kim Jong Un. To them, he's a god."

O'Kennedy also drew comparisons to other isolated areas he has traveled, like the Uyghur Autonomous Region in China. But even there, he said, the level of control paled in comparison to what he experienced in North Korea. The restrictions were so intense, he admitted, they sometimes felt "claustrophobic."

While the future of tourism in North Korea remains uncertain, O'Kennedy expressed hope that more people will get the chance to visit and interact with locals. "The more people go to North Korea, the more North Koreans we get to meet. And I personally think that's a step forward for the world," he concluded.

For those curious, O'Kennedy's full documentary is available to watch on YouTube. It’s a peek behind the iron curtain—just don’t expect a warm welcome if you try to follow in his footsteps anytime soon.