North Korea is set to reopen its borders to foreign tourists in December, after nearly five years of closure due to the Covid pandemic.
The city of Samjiyon, located in the mountainous northern part of the country, will be the first to welcome visitors. This announcement comes from at least two China-based tour operators.
North Korea’s borders were closed in early 2020 as the pandemic began, with the country maintaining strict isolation.
Restrictions started easing in mid-2023, but the closure had severe consequences, including disruptions in essential goods imports and worsening food shortages, exacerbated by international sanctions related to its nuclear program.
KTG Tours from Shenyang announced on Facebook that Samjiyon is confirmed to open, and hinted that Pyongyang and other locations might follow suit.
Beijing’s Koryo Tours also noted the potential for tourists to visit other parts of North Korea in December.
They expressed excitement for the reopening, stating, “Having waited for over four years to make this announcement, Koryo Tours is very excited for the opening of North Korean tourism once again.”
Samjiyon is situated at the base of Mount Paektu, North Korea’s tallest mountain, which straddles the China-North Korea border and is known for its winter attractions.
Pyongyang’s official narrative promotes the mountain as a significant historical site, claiming it was the location of Kim Il Sung’s battle against Japanese occupation forces and the birthplace of Kim Jong Il, the father of current leader Kim Jong Un.
Recent redevelopment efforts in Samjiyon include plans to rebuild its airport, transform a military ski base into a resort, and construct new railways and hotels for foreign tourists.
Kim Jong Un’s July announcement highlighted these projects as part of a broader strategy to “revitalize international tourism” aimed at visitors from “friendly” nations.
Since early 2024, North Korea has permitted Russian tourists to enter, reflecting improved relations between the two countries.
According to Koryo Tours, tourists from other nations, excluding South Korea, will also be allowed. However, U.S. citizens remain banned from traveling to North Korea.
North Korea only began allowing its own citizens to return in August of last year, being among the last countries to do so.
Source-BBC
