American's ‘craziest experience' at North Korea marathon, completes record task
Advertisement
Mofid was one of about 200 foreigners who travelled to the secretive state's capital last week for the Pyongyang International Marathon, which took place on April 6 and had not been held since 2019 because of the coronavirus pandemic.
North Korea reopened to Russian tourists in January 2024 and allowed visitors from other countries to enter the eastern city of Rason in February 2025, but later cancelled those tours without giving a reason.
This year, Koryo Tours, a Beijing-based agency listed as the marathon's 'exclusive travel partner', got foreigners into the capital – but as athletes, not tourists.
'I've been to every country in the world. And I can say that's the craziest experience I've had my entire life,' Mofid, who took part in the 10km event, said. 'It's hard to explain the feeling, but the adrenaline that you have going to the stadium with 50,000 people is like no other.'
Advertisement
The marathon was part of the country's birthday celebrations for its founding leader, Kim Il-sung, and allowed Mofid to visit his 195th country.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
South China Morning Post
a day ago
- South China Morning Post
‘Shoulder season' travel on the rise as tourists turn to off-peak holidays
For a growing number of holidaymakers, the rational response to the intense heat, high prices and overcrowding that blight the Mediterranean in July and August is to visit in the spring or autumn. After all, the weather is cooler, hotels are better value and the vibe is more relaxed. This so-called 'shoulder season' travel is booming. The trend could help reduce overtourism while boosting the use of aircraft and accommodation during the normally fallow off-peak months. But this rebalancing will not happen without a coordinated industry effort to keep resorts open and highlight the attractions of off-peak travel. Oh, and more flexible school holidays would also help. Europe is once again anticipating an influx of wealthy American visitors this year, but if they are sensible, those unrestricted by the school calendar will delay their visit until the autumn. Since the Covid-19 pandemic, America's Delta Air Lines has seen a multi-year 'systematic shift' of US demand for European trips from July and August into the shoulder periods 'as consumers look to avoid peak crowds and summer heat', its president, Glen Hauenstein, told investors earlier this month. 'The peak is getting less peaky and the shoulders are getting stronger,' he said.
RTHK
6 days ago
- RTHK
ANA has high hopes for 'air taxis' by 2027
ANA has high hopes for 'air taxis' by 2027 A Joby Aviation electric air taxi flies near the Downtown Manhattan Heliport in Manhattan, New York City. File photo: Reuters Japanese airline ANA on Thursday said that, together with a US start-up, it hopes to have electric "air taxis" whizzing over Japan from as early as 2027. ANA and California-based Joby Aviation said they would establish a joint venture with a view to deploying more than 100 of the five-seater aircraft. Flying taxies will "revolutionise our air mobility", Koji Shibata, president and chief executive of ANA, said. An ANA spokesman said on Thursday that the aircraft, designed to carry a pilot and up to four passengers at speeds of up to 320 kilometres per hour, could be in service from as early as 2027. The project primarily envisages trips between Narita and Haneda airports and Tokyo, although the routes can diversify in the future. Currently, a car or train ride between central Tokyo and Narita typically takes an hour or longer, but Joby's five-seater can shorten this to around 15 minutes, ANA said. There are no price details yet, but ANA wants to make the service as affordable as possible for the general public, a spokesman said. ANA and Joby will make a public flight demonstration of the vehicles at the Osaka Expo in October. "Where ancient wisdom, legendary craftsmanship and soaring ambition converge – that's Japan", said JoeBen Bevirt, founder and CEO of Joby Aviation. "And that makes it an extraordinary launchpad for redefining the future of air mobility." Joby's aircraft lifts off like a helicopter, then transitions to fly forward like a plane "with minimal acoustic impact and zero operating emissions", according to the firm. In December, flying taxi startup Volocopter said it was filing for insolvency, days after another German company in the field, Lilium, was saved from collapse. Volocopter had been aiming to enter the market in 2025 with its two-seater "Volocity" electric air taxi model. It suffered a setback when it had to cancel test flights in Paris at short notice during the Olympics after the certification for its aircraft engine didn't come through in time. (AFP)
South China Morning Post
04-08-2025
- South China Morning Post
Seaside meeting of experts a clue to the summer migration of China's political elite
The appearance of President Xi Jinping's chief of staff at the Beidaihe resort on Sunday indicates that senior Chinese leaders have started their annual summer break. In keeping with an annual protocol, Cai Qi hosted more than three dozen Chinese academics and scientists in the seaside city, saying 'experts and talented individuals are valuable assets to the party and the country', according to a report published by state broadcaster CCTV on Sunday. State media reports said the attendees were experts from hi-tech industries, as well as young talent engaged in fundamental research and scholars of philosophy and the social sciences. 01:25 Where China's top leaders discreetly go in summer: a brief history of Beidaihe Where China's top leaders discreetly go in summer: a brief history of Beidaihe Last year, invitations were extended to researchers in artificial intelligence, deep-sea exploration and quantum physics, highlighting the country's drive for tech self-reliance. Cai, who ranks fifth in the ruling Communist Party hierarchy, is a member of the Politburo Standing Committee and director of the party's general office. His appearance indicates that the senior Chinese leadership has started its unofficial annual retreat to Beidaihe, a seaside town 300km (186 miles) east of Beijing. The tradition was started in the 1950s by leaders, including Mao Zedong, who worked from there during the summer. Beidaihe was long used by Chinese leaders to set the political agenda and strategy during a less busy time in their political calendar. It is believed to be used mostly as a summer holiday retreat these days rather than a meeting venue for political leaders. In recent years, the leaders' August break has lasted around 10 to 14 days. During this time, top political leaders have a reduced public presence in China, although they appear when urgent matters, such as natural disasters, arise. Details about how long leaders will stay at the resort are not made public, but Qinghuadao, the city in Hebei province that governs Beidaihe, announced in May that drones and other low-altitude aircraft would be banned in July and August, a clear indication that stricter security measures would be in place.
