North Korea will restart tourism after five years

According to tour operators, after almost five years of border closures due to the COVID-19 pandemic, North Korea has announced plans to reopen one city to foreign tourists in December.

China-based operators have recently announced the upcoming opening of the mountainous northern city of Samjiyon to tourists.

Living in seclusion in early 2020, North Korea implemented strict measures to isolate itself from the rest of the world amidst the pandemic. It wasn't until the middle of last year that they gradually began to ease these restrictions.

The closure of the borders disrupted essential goods imports, exacerbating the already existing food shortages. International sanctions imposed due to the country's nuclear program further compounded these shortages.

"While only Samjiyon has been officially confirmed, there is speculation that Pyongyang and other locations may also open shortly!" According to a recent post on the Facebook page of Shenyang's KTG Tours, the company announced on Wednesday.

According to Beijing's Koryo Tour, tourists may have the opportunity to explore different regions of North Korea in December.

"After a long wait of more than four years, Koryo Tours expressed great enthusiasm for the reopening of North Korean tourism," the company stated on its website on Wednesday.

According to Koryo Tours, the North Korean authorities have permitted tourists from all countries to participate in their trips, except South Korea. In an exciting turn of events, the United States has banned its citizens from travelling to North Korea.

Chad O'Carroll, the CEO of Korea Risk Group, a US-based analysis firm, expressed scepticism regarding the reopening announcement.

"I will only believe it once I have visual confirmation," he stated in an interview. "At this point, it is doubtful that any significant progress will be made in December."

Samjiyon has experienced significant redevelopment in recent years. According to state media, Mr Kim announced plans in July to reconstruct the airport, transform a military ski base into a resort, and construct new railways and hotels to cater to foreign tourists.

In a statement, Mr Kim emphasised the intention to boost international tourism by targeting visitors from friendly nations.

According to Mr O'Carroll, the redevelopment of Samjiyong still needs to be completed.

"If it is completed on schedule, one can envision a scenario where Russian tourists and potentially Chinese visitors would be the primary ones to visit in significant quantities initially," he remarked. "If the Democratic Republic of Korea wants to improve its connectivity, it could consider offering direct flights to a neutral connection country such as Mongolia."

Located at North Korea's highest peak base, Mount Paektu, Samjiyon, is renowned for its winter activities and scenic beauty. The mountain spans the border between China and North Korea, adding to its allure.

According to Pyongyang's propaganda, the mountain holds great historical significance. It is believed to be where North Korea's founder, Kim Il Sung, fought against Japanese occupation forces and initiated the revolution. The individual in question happens to be the grandfather of the current president, Kim Jong Un.

According to the claim, Paektu is believed to be the birthplace of the current leader's father, Kim Jong Il.

In a report released in July, KCNA highlighted the plans for the Mount Paektu-Samjiyon zone, which aims to become a premier tourist destination that caters to visitors' diverse cultural and emotional needs while also boosting international tourism.

In a surprising move, North Korea has recently opened its doors exclusively to Russian tourists, signalling a potential thaw in relations between the two countries. This development, which took place in early 2024, has caught the attention of international observers.

In August of last year, North Korea finally permitted the return of its citizens who had been barred from crossing the border, making it one of the few remaining countries to take such action.