North Korea to Reopen to Foreign Tourists After Nearly Five-Year Hiatus

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Following over five years of strict border restrictions enforced as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, North Korea has informed the international community that it intends to reopen its doors to tourists from other countries in December. This action marks a significant turning point for the secretive country, largely cut off from trade and tourism.

Travel operators based in China forecast that the hilly city of Samjiyon will be the most popular destination for tourists from other countries. Situated in the northernmost section of the nation, this city is well-known for its natural beauty and has seen major reconstruction recently.

Official confirmation of the reopening has come from two Chinese tour providers, KTG Tours and Koryo Tours. Although Samjiyon is the only place formally confirmed for reopening, KTG Tours wrote on social media that there is conjecture that other areas of North Korea, including the capital Pyongyang, may also welcome visitors. Koryo Tours echoed this, implying that travel to other parts of North Korea would be possible.

One of the most influential companies in the tourism industry in North Korea, Koryo Tours, expressed their enthusiasm for the new development. The corporation emphasized on its website that the reopening of North Korean tourism was much-awaited, following a protracted wait of almost four years. Meanwhile, the company noted that while most countries allow visitors, Washington specifically excludes South Korean visitors and continues to bar U.S. residents from visiting due to ongoing travel restrictions.

The silent state had instituted stringent border controls at the beginning of the pandemic in the early 2020s, which resulted in serious interruptions in trade and an increase in the severity of food shortages. International sanctions connected to North Korea’s nuclear development added even more difficulty.

The CEO of U.S.-based analysis company Korea Risk Group, Chad O’Carroll, has voiced doubts about the viability of the announced reopening. O’Carroll expressed his reluctance to support the reopening until he saw tangible progress, and he expressed concerns about the significant tourism activities in December.

In recent years, North Korea has extensively rebuilt Samjiyon. According to reports from official media in July, the city is undergoing a significant makeover with the construction of a new airport, the conversion of a military ski camp into a resort, and the expansion of other railroads and hotels catering to foreign guests. Focusing first on visitors from countries deemed “friendly,” these initiatives are part of North Korean leader Kim Jong Un’s larger endeavor to “revitalize international tourism.”

O’Carroll noted that even with these advances, Samjiyon’s renovation might not be finished by December. Given the current geopolitical environment and the lack of direct flight connections to other neutral nations, he hypothesized that if the reopening goes forward, it could initially draw visitors mostly from Russia and China.

Samjiyon sits at the base of Mount Paektu, North Korea’s highest mountain, with great historical and cultural value for the nation. North Korean propaganda claims that the mountain hosted famous historical events involving North Korea’s founder, Kim Il Sung, and his son, Kim Jong Il. The area’s reputation for winter activities may attract visitors seeking unique vacation experiences.

In July, North Korean official media KCNA stated that the Mount Paektu-Samjiyon region aims to become a “four-season mountainous tourist zone.” This endeavor aims to boost the nation’s worldwide tourist industry and meet visitors’ emotional and cultural needs.

Reflecting the improved ties between Pyongyang and Moscow, North Korea has only allowed Russian visitors into the country since early 2024. The narrow focus on tourism up to this point emphasizes how carefully the nation should reopen in light of continuing world tensions and regional problems.

The international community keeps a close eye on how North Korea’s reopening ambitions will affect diplomatic relations and world travel patterns. Though initially small, the opening of North Korea’s borders could indicate a slow change towards increased interaction with the outside world, thereby impacting regional growth and trade dynamics going forward.

The situation is constantly changing, so further changes are almost imminent as December draws closer and the true reopening of North Korean tourism becomes more apparent. At least for the time being, the proclamation provides some optimism for the tourism sector and some insight into the changing dynamics of North Korea’s interaction with the international community.

For more information, visit BBC’s comprehensive article