North Korea is preparing to reopen to international tourists after nearly 5 years
Tourism agencies in China report that North Korea will soon reopen to foreign tourists after nearly five years of disruption due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
According to Yonhap, a travel company based in Beijing has confirmed that international tours to the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea will resume in December. Koryo Tours said: “We have received received confirmation from local partners that tourism to Samjiyon—and possibly other parts of the country—will officially restart welcoming tourists in December.”
Samjiyon, a town near North Korea’s mountainous northern border with China, serves as a gateway to Mount Baekdu, the birthplace of late North Korean leader Kim Jong-il. His successor and son, Kim Jong-un, has invested heavily in developing the area with major projects including new apartments, hotels and ski resorts.
KTG Tours, also based in China, announced on its Facebook page that “tourists will be able to visit Samjiyon this winter.” They added, “The exact date will be confirmed and announced soon. Although Samjiyon is the only location officially confirmed so far, we believe Pyongyang and other regions will also open. “
North Korea closed its borders in early 2020 to prevent the spread of the Covid-19 pandemic. However, signs of reopening began in the second half of 2023 with the resumption of international flights, allowing stranded citizens to return home. A group of Russian tourists visited North Korea in February 2024 amid growing ties between Moscow and Pyongyang.
Before the pandemic, tourism to North Korea was limited, with about 5,000 Western visitors annually. American tourists accounted for about 20% of this market until Washington imposed a travel ban following the arrest of American student Otto Warmbier.
Koryo Tours notes that resuming tourism operations after such an extended break may present many challenges. “For those wanting to join the tour early, we want to stress that things may be a little more chaotic than usual,” the company said, according to AFP. But this is still good news because in the near future international tourists can visit these five beautiful countries.
