North Korea cancels beer festival amid drought fears

An annual beer festival in North Korea has been cancelled after just one year because of a drought in the country.

The Taedonggang Beer Festival began last year and was due to become an annual event in the notoriously reclusive state.

But tour companies Koryo Tours and Young Pioneer Tours were told on Sunday that the event had been cancelled, with no official reason being given.

Koryo Tours believe a predicted drought in the country is the most likely reason for the sudden change of plans.

The company’s general manager Simon Cockerell told CNN: “It won’t look great for Pyongyang middle class to be having a jolly good time while people are working on drought relief.”

The United Nations warned of the worst drought in North Korea since 2001, raising the likelihood of further food shortages.

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Taedonggang Beer Festival drew cross of up to 45,000 people when it opened its doors for the first time in August 2016.

Foreign tourists joined residents of North Korean capital Pyongyang for the month-long event.

Top pic: Rex