North Korea Reverses Tourism Reopening Less Than a Month After Launch

In a surprising move, North Korea has halted all tourism just weeks after welcoming Western visitors for the first time in five years, cancelling planned trips indefinitely as questions arise regarding the country's travel restrictions.

North Korea has abruptly suspended all tourism activities just weeks after welcoming Western tourists for the first time in five years. This decision comes as a surprise following the country’s gradual reopening post-Covid-19 pandemic, which began in early 2020 when North Korea sealed its borders. The nation had initiated easing restrictions in mid-2023, allowing Russian visitors to enter in 2024. It was only last month that the first Western tourists were permitted entry into the eastern city of Rason.

Travel agencies have reported the cancellations of trips, with no word from the North Korean government regarding the reason for this sudden closure. “Just received news from our Korean partners that Rason is closed to everyone. We will keep you posted,” said KTG Tours on Facebook, a company specializing in North Korean excursions. Young Pioneer Tours and Koryo Tours have since echoed this message, advising potential travelers to refrain from booking flights for the upcoming months until clearer information is provided.

On February 20, the first Western tourists arrived in Rason, a designated special economic zone where North Korea sought to test new financial policies. However, the experience for visitors was more restricted compared to pre-pandemic tours, with limited opportunities to interact with locals and no access to mobile signals or the internet. Tour leaders speculated that Rason was selected for its containment, making it easier to manage outside visitors.

Earlier this week, Koryo Tours had begun accepting applications for the Pyongyang Marathon for the first time since the pandemic begun, scheduled for April 6. Yet, the recent suspension has thrown this event’s logistics into uncertainty. Prior to the pandemic, 2019 saw around 350,000 foreign tourists visit the country, with 90% being Chinese, as reported by media sources.