Kim Jong-un‘s secretive state may be best known for nuclear weapons, intercontinental ballistic missiles and totalitarian rule.
But tourists who have visited North Korea have revealed a different portrait of the hermit kingdom – a potentially relentless drinkathon where cheap alcohol is available throughout.
Jeff Barnicki, 48, revealed a beer could be bought for as little as 26p, with scores of tourist-friendly drink emporiums located in hotels, karaoke bars and even department stores.
Mr Barnicki said: “The drinking culture is just like any other vacation.
“It’s like asking what the drinking culture on a cruise ship is like.
“There was a beer with lunch and dinner included with the trip, with an option to always buy more.
“Drinking was just part of the tour.”
The Californian, who visited before US President Donald Trump banned US visits to the provocative state, added the heaviest of the day’s drinking “was always reserved for the hotel”.
But beyond the non-stop availability of a tipple, the price made ordering round after round all the easier.
Mr Barnicki said: “If you spent US dollars, a mug of beer at the bowling alley was $1 (75p).
“In most bars a mug of beer or big bottle was about $2-3 (£1.50-£2.25).
“If you were using local currency, like at the patio area next to the Kwangbok Department Store, a mug of beer cost the equivalent of about 35 cents (26p).”
Mr Trump banned US visits to North Korea amid increasing nuclear tensions and the death of Otto Warmbier.
Mr Warmbier, 22, was held in North Korea after attempting to steal a propaganda poster from his hotel
He is reported to have attempted to take the poster after a late night drinking session.
After 17 months he was eventually returned home to Cincinnati in a coma and died five days later, prompting President Trump to ban US entry to the state.
During his own trip to the hermit kingdom, Mr Barnicki stayed in the same Yanggakdo International Hotel that led to the incarceration of Mr Warmbier.
Speaking of his tourist group, Mr Barnicki said: “We were not allowed to leave until the next day under the supervision of the tour guides, however there really was no need to leave.
“There was a pool, a sauna, a massage parlor, a karaoke bar, a bowling alley, a post office, a general store where you could buy more beer and several restaurants.
“Most of these places had an area to order drinks. I think I counted five bars just in that hotel.”