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Photos show what it's like inside the North Korean summer camp where Russian kids will go
Photos show what it's like inside the North Korean summer camp where Russian kids will go
Joshua ZitserJul 6, 2024, 18:15 IST
<p class="ingestion featured-caption">Songdowon International Children's Camp has a full-size water park with waterslides and a boating lake.Courtesy of Rowan Beard</p><ul class="summary-list"><li>Russian children will attend a summer camp in North Korea in late July.</li><li>The camp visit follows a strategic partnership agreement between North Korea and Russia.</li></ul><p>A group of <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/russia-school-kids-go-north-korea-summer-camp-putin-kim-2024-7">Russian schoolchildren will attend a summer camp in North Korea</a> at the end of July.</p><p>Songdowon International Children's Camp has welcomed international kids in the past, but the latest initiative to host a group of Russian children comes amid <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/putin-kim-jong-un-getting-closer-china-reason-to-worry-2024-6">deepening ties between North Korea and Russia,</a> following the signing of <a target="_blank" rel href="https://www.businessinsider.com/kim-jong-un-says-russia-north-korea-allies-putin-bromance-2024-6"><u>a strategic partnership agreement last month</u></a> between Vladimir Putin and Kim Jung Un.<br /><br />Take a look inside the vast campground, which offers <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/rare-pictures-of-north-korea-military-2016-4">a rare glimpse into life in the hermit kingdom.</a></p>
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The summer camp in Wonsan has a maximum capacity of about 1,200 children.
The main building of the Songdowon International Children's Camp.Courtesy of Yuri Frolov
Most kids are North Korean, though some come from Russia, China, and other parts of the world.
Campers at Songdowon International Children's Camp.Eric Lafforgue/Art in All of Us/Getty Images
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A former camper told BI that the North Korean kids are largely segregated from international visitors.
The dormitory building of Songdowon International Children's Camp.Wong Maye-E/AP Photo
Some kids went because it seemed like a cheap beach holiday, a former camper says.
Girls shower at a beach in Songdowon.Wong Maye-E/AP
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The dorms are supervised, but kids still get up to trouble, one ex-camper says.
Inside a dorm room at Songdowon International Children's Camp.Eric LAFFORGUE/Getty Images
There are relics from North Korea's former leader.
A tent visited by Kim Jong Il at Songdowon International Children's Camp in 2008.Eric Lafforgue/Art In All Of Us/Corbis via Getty Images
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Kids sing propaganda songs about the country's former Supreme Leaders, an ex-camper says.
The concert hall where campers at Songdowon International Children's Camp sing songs about North Korea's leaders.Courtesy of Yuri Frolov
He added that they also needed to polish a statue of North Korea's founder.
Kim Il Sung statue at the Songdowon summer camp in 2008.Eric Lafforgue/Art in All of Us/Getty Images
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There are lots of facilities on the vast campsite.
North Korean leader Kim Jong Un visits the Songdowon International Children's Camp.Thomson Reuters
The Sindok Aquarium has turtles and sharks.
A tank at the Sindok Aquarium at the Songdowon International Children's Camp.Courtesy of Rowan Beard
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There's also an aviary.
Children look at a bird of prey at the Songdowon International Children's Camp aviary.Jon Chol Jin/AP Photo
As well as a show room for stuffed animals.
A tour guide shows a taxidermied animal at the Songdowon International Children's Camp.Eric LAFFORGUE/Getty Images
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Campers have an athletic track, as well as other sporting facilities.
A view of the athletics track and playing field at the Songdowon International Children's Camp.Carl Court/Getty Images
One camper said there are often swimming races.
Children swim at the campsite's indoor swimming pool.Wong Maye-E/AP Photo
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There's a full-size waterpark, also supposedly requested by Kim Jong Un.
Songdowon International Children's Camp has a full-size water park with waterslides and a boating lake.Courtesy of Rowan Beard
There are also cooking lessons.
Children take part in a cookery lesson at Songdowon International School Children's Camp on August 22, 2018.Carl Court/Getty Images
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But the food is not good, said a former camper.
Carl Court/Getty Images
Russian kids will get to experience Songdowong again this summer.
Children walk through Songdowon International School Children's Camp, where Russian children will be sent this summer.Carl Court/Getty Images