Kim Tae-yong, secretary-general of North Korea’s ski association, views the sprawling alpine landscape before him with unabashed pride. Facing a strong, cold wind, he points to a dip in the rugged, tree-covered mountains and says the sunrise there is a sight of unmatched beauty, worthy of the nation’s supreme leader, Kim Jong-un.
This is the Masik Pass ski resort, North Korea’s latest megaproject, the product of 10 months of furious labour intended to show that this country, so often derided for its poverty and isolation, is as civilised and culturally advanced as any other.
The complex of ski runs, resort chalets and sleigh rides will formally open on Thursday, though late last month the main hotels appeared to be little more than shells, potholes filled the access roads and foundations were still being dug for secondary buildings.
Who will ski here? Perhaps Kim Jong-un, who reportedly enjoyed the sport as a teenager studying in Switzerland. By the ski official’s estimate, there are only about 5,500 North Korean skiers in this country of 24 million - a skiing population of 0.02 per cent.
Even so, as he sweeps his hand over the scene, Kim displays no doubt that what his country really needs right now is a multimillion-dollar ski resort in the secluded depths of North Korea’s east coast. He bristles at the suggestion Masik will be a playground for the nation’s elite and a trickle of eccentric tourists.
This, he says, is his country at work. It is proof of the great love of the great leader.