YouTube star Louis Cole criticised for 'positive' vlogs about North Korea

British YouTuber claims he is 'trying to focus on positive things in the country and combat the purely negative image we see in the media'

Louis Cole visits a military museum in North Korea (YouTube )

Allegations of systematic human rights abuses in North Korea have been detailed in harrowing reports by the United Nations and in distressing accounts from defectors who have escaped the regime.

But one travel blogger has returned from a visit to the country with a series of upbeat vlogs about life in the rogue state which focus on the “positive” parts he claims are ignored by the media.

Louis Cole's slickly edited vlogs documenting his travels across the world have seen him amass a YouTube following of 1.8 million subscribers. His video diaries have taken him to locations globally and, like an increasing number of social media influencers, transformed him into something of an online celebrity with a dedicated and engaged following.

But Cole’s latest offering is being questioned for promising to show another side to North Korea from the seven days he spent in the country.

The British YouTuber claims he is “trying to focus on positive things in the country and combat the purely negative image we see in the media“.

It is unclear how his trip to the notoriously secretive state with a group of vloggers came about, but Cole says his is not a government sponsored visit.

The 33-year-old's videos include a feature on “surfer chicks” and clips of the group posing for selfies with their guide, teaching people how to beatbox, throwing their guide into the sea, showing excited locals how to skateboard and a tour of waterparks. In all seven videos, those featured seem cheerful and carefree.

The vlogs largely fail to address any issues surrounding life in North Korea, where aspects of the oppressive regime allegedly imposed on those living there was described in disturbing detail in a 2014 United Nations Commission of Inquiry report. A panel compiling the report heard evidence of torture, forced abortions, imprisonment, murder and sexual assault used on citizens. North Korea wholly rejected the conclusions of the report, which saw the chairman call for action from the international community and the UN investigator call for leader Kim Jong-un to be prosecuted for crimes against humanity.

Cole's blogs have been condemned by Human Rights Watch for undermining the work of journalists who have exposed the conditions faced by North Korean citizens.

Phil Robertson, deputy director of the watchdog’s Asia division told The Independent: “Reporting from a government-controlled bubble is arrogant reporting that ignores what’s behind the façade. Cole does not even mention the grim daily reality of forced labour and other rights abuses suffered by ordinary North Koreans day after day. Incredibly, Cole adds insult to injury by criticising “negative” media coverage from journalists who actually bothered to dig beneath state propaganda.

Update:

A spokesperson for Cole has released a statement in response to the backlash. Cole’s rep said his blogs were personal diaries and not a journalistic endeavour, adding that he apologises if his vlogs appeared to “gloss over or dismiss negative issues in the country”.

"Louis' videos are an extension of himself, capturing his personal views and experiences of the people, cultures and places he visits. Rather than taking a journalistic approach, Louis chooses to focus on the positive aspects of his adventures. This is fuelled by his belief that there is beauty to be found wherever one might go, for those who are adventurous enough to look for it.

“This trip to North Korea was inspired by a friend who has been on seventeen trips to North Korea since 2007, running humanitarian and relief work in communities which need it. The purpose of this trip was to join a team of volunteers in teaching local tour guides and children how to surf and skateboard, as part of an annual surf camp which first launched in 2014.

“Louis saw this as a unique opportunity to be immersed in the culture. His goal was to help, and to connect with, local North Koreans in a meaningful way. With this in mind, it was Louis' desire and intention that his videos honour the excellent community work done by the organisation and its volunteers. It was not his intention to gloss over or dismiss any negative issues that plague the country, and he apologizes if his vlogs came across that way. Again, that was not the intention."