Kim Jong-Un has enlisted the services of an enigmatic and glamorous influencer named Viktoria to showcase a secluded North Korea ski resort on her Instagram account
This decision raises eyebrows considering the stringent social media restrictions within the country, but it aligns with the unpredictable nature of the dictator.
Who is Viktoria as Russia Instagraminfluencer is hired by North Korea to promote Masikryong ski resort
Referred to only as Viktoria, the Russian influencer has faced substantial criticism since relocating to live in the authoritarian state, leading to speculations about her potential connection to the Russian Embassy in Pyongyang.
Despite the peculiar circumstances, Viktoria regularly shares online content featuring the desolate Masikryong resort, where she received skiing lessons in English.
Notably, the absence of North Korean locals in her promotional posts is conspicuous, especially as package tours from Russia to Masikryong are set to commence.
It is presumed that she had exclusive access to the resort with the explicit approval of Kim Jong Un’s authorities and under the surveillance of state minders, who remain unseen.
In a broader context, Vladimir Putin has been encouraging Russians to vacation in North Korea as a token of gratitude for supplying weaponry during the conflict with Ukraine.
Who’s Viktoria?
Viktoria, a 23-year-old model, showcases the resort and its amenities, seemingly enjoying VIP treatment during her stay, including spa visits and dining at the highest point of the resort.
Critics express concerns that the sanitized portrayal of North Korean life in Viktoria’s posts may be an attempt to acclimate Russians to the idea of living in a more autocratic state than Putin’s Russia.
Speculations about her true identity range from being the wife of a Russian diplomat to a potential Kremlin-backed project promoting North Korea in collaboration with Kim Jong Un.
As Russia and North Korea strengthen ties amid the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, Masikryong, a three-hour drive from the capital, emerges as a focal point. Viktoria’s posts detail her experiences, from the comfort of the hotel to her first-time skiing, highlighting the beautiful views and various activities available at the resort.
The Influencer, who boasts nearly 80,000 followers across multiple platforms, appears to have resided in North Korea since November, raising questions about the nature of her stay.
The promotion of five-day Russian tours to Masikryong further underscores the growing relationship between the two countries, particularly following the meeting between Putin and Kim in Vladivostok.
In the midst of these developments, the utilization of North Korean ballistic missiles by the Russians in Ukraine over the past two weeks adds a layer of complexity to the geopolitical dynamics between the two nations.
