North Korea displays military planes. New airport to boost tourism

Everything that North Korea does draws the express attention of a million plus agencies with a keen eye.

We assume that they possibly leave everything else to be a witness to the new developments that take place with respect to Korea.

Out of the blue comes the latest news from Wonsan in North Korea is indeed interesting.

The North Koreans always do things that attract the attention of the world. This time around, it is an air show that got underway earlier today.

The air festival featured all the usual things that you witness at these show.

The communist nation is on a path of a defiant path with the world powers on the issue of its Nuclear Agenda. It defies the United Nations, The United States and its southern counterpart, South Korea.

The well-attended event featured:

1. Different demonstrations of skills by the North Korean Air Force personnel,
2. Sky diving feats,
3. A general air of celebration with the hosting of the party in a grand manner, and
4. Lots of eatables and an ocean of Beer.

These inducements were only to project North Korea in a favorable light as seen by the visitors. The event was more of an exercise in public relations and hospitality because it is organized to attract tourists.

The reason for this bash was to portray North Korea as a happy-go lucky place and encourage tourists to make it their favored destinations. The event is an affair spread over two days and it is named The International Air Show with the aim of popularizing tourism.

Not much is known about this secretive nation since it resembles the former Iron Curtain countries. The area where this event is taking place is a very thickly wooded green area and boasts of mountainous terrain and expansive beaches.

It is a place that sees a lot of tourists that flock to its lovely natural sceneries. Its weather conditions are also awesome and it boasts a ski resort too.

In the past, it attracts Japanese tourists; they come by ferries to enjoy the place. The relations between the two countries soured up leading to the total stoppage of the tourist influx.

North Koreans resorted to abductions of Japanese tourists in pursuance of their political agenda with the result that the tourist traffic faded away. That was in the 1970s and eighties. The North Korean Nuclear Program and its long-range missiles became a deterrent to good relations.

Wonsan Airport, the new addition is a sprawling complex that claims the most ultra-modern technology. It is massive glass structure. The display looks more alluring by the arrangement of the planes of Air Koryo which stood parked on the long tarmac in a row.
The show

First up in the show a helicopter modified for military duties set the ball rolling with a low-flying item. It was a Hercules 500 helicopter flew quite low to display its aerobatic and hovering prowess.

The Korean crowd

A roaring MiG – 29 flew over next drawing the attention of the huge crowd skywards. The huge crowd of local and foreign visitors and holiday makers assisted its din with a huge roar of their own.
The Koreans cheered with the loudest applause and happiness. Thousands of Koreans had been arriving in droves since yesterday.

Apart from that, there was a very huge assembly of foreign tourists, News reporters, dignitaries, invitees who graced the occasion in all their finery.

The Korean patriotic fervor was evident everywhere. The praise for the mighty forces and the military equipment was on the lips of most of the emotionally charged Koreans.

They had had a rare experience in seeing the military hardware thet ther country possesses; moreover, the skills of their pilots and other personnel drew a lot of praise from all.

Some of them were from the rural setting and were awestruck at the splendid things they got to see.

North Korea has been a secretive country with not much known about it.

Moreover, the antagonism in the west towards this nuclear armed country keeps the country from being open.

Therefore, this kind of unabashed display of its might and advancement is not really regular.
Its aircraft are, though quite old have never been on display. There is no information on whether the US-made helicopters came legally or violating international sanctions.

The amazing control and flying skills displayed by the pilots were quite competent.

They did not really reflect the less number of hours that these pilots possessed. But, they looked pretty capable and confident.

The scarcity of fuel oil prevents adequate practice sessions.

The Wonsan airport converted to an ultra modern one for commercial exploitation. Its local name is Kalma airport.

The areas nearby are restricted and some people were shot due to trespassing.

The luxury Ski Resort is in the vicinity of the airport

But, North Korea conducts regular nuclear tests leading to condemnation from all over.

But, this country is adamant in its single-minded improvement of its nuclear arsenal.

Umrao singh umraoz.wordpress.com

Saturday, 24 September 2016
Written for: Lars-Magnus Carlsson www.thephilippinepride.com

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