As North Korea cautiously reopens its borders following years of isolation due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the regime has made one thing clear: Western influencers are not welcome.
In a move that has raised eyebrows across the global travel and diplomatic communities, Pyongyang has quietly barred Western social media influencers and independent content creators from attending its tightly choreographed trade fairs.
These events, often designed to project a sanitized image of national prosperity and self-reliance, are usually limited to vetted guests, diplomats, and select foreign partners. The ban, however, represents a new level of control as the regime struggles to manage its narrative amid heightened international scrutiny.
Sources close to the matter say the decision stems from viral content posted by influencers during past trips, which unintentionally exposed the stark contrast between state-sponsored propaganda and the lived reality of ordinary North Koreans.
In one such case, a popular European YouTuber captured a brief glimpse of a malnourished child during a 2019 trade fair tour, footage that was quickly deleted but not before it was shared widely and critiqued online.
Now, with Pyongyang’s post-pandemic rebranding efforts in full swing, officials are taking no chances. Travel agencies specializing in North Korean tourism report increased censorship measures, tighter group control, and a preference for hosting journalists under strict conditions rather than allowing influencers with large, unpredictable followings.
Analysts argue the move is part of a broader strategy by the Kim regime to regain narrative control and limit any unfiltered portrayal of life behind the curtain.
While trade fairs remain a key platform for showcasing the country’s limited international partnerships and domestic innovation, the exclusion of Western influencers underscores a growing digital paranoia within the North.
As the world watches North Korea’s careful re-entry onto the global stage, one thing is clear: access remains on the regime’s terms.
