NK to seek English teachers to train tour guides

/ Yonhap

By Lee Min-hyung

North Korea is seeking English-speakers from overseas to train tour guides in the repressive state.

London-based tour agency Juche Travel Services (JTS) is running a program inviting paying volunteers to teach English or tourism at Pyongyang Tourism College for a month.

“We were approached by our partners at Korea International Travel Company (KITC) on behalf of the National Tourism Authority to assist in arranging volunteering positions for teaching English language or tourism management,” JTS chief David Thompson was quoted as saying.

Potential volunteers should have either tourism experience or hold Teaching English as a Foreign Language (TEFL) certification.

They also have to pay $1,072 (1.16 million won) to get onto the program. This includes airfares, accommodation and weekend excursions around the region.

“We are obviously of the opinion that tourism has a positive impact,” Thompson said. “By building bridges and engaging with the country, you are helping to break down mistrust and preconceptions that have persisted for the past 60-odd years. That can only be a good thing.”

JTS ran a trial of the program last summer. This year’s events are scheduled for May and November.

The reclusive regime is increasingly investing in tourism. Earlier this month, more than 600 foreign runners participated in a 10-kilometer race as part of the Pyongyang Marathon.