North Korea, perhaps due to its unique and often anachronistic qualities, is known for attracting a rather “unique” set of characters among its steadily increasing tourist numbers each year.

Regime sympathizers eager to pay respects to the Kims, transport enthusiasts passionate about vintage Soviet trams, and even D-list celebrities pursuing a potential – but sometimes unrewarding – 16th minute of fame; North Korea seems to have it all.

Yet unlike the beaches of Thailand or pyramids of Egypt, it’s a place where visitors come not only from a wide and often eclectic range of backgrounds, but one where – due