In brief
In a surprising turn of events, North Korea has closed its borders to tourists, just a short time after allowing Western visitors for the first time in five years. This cancellation raises concerns over the country's travel policies and ongoing restrictions.
North Korea has once again barred tourists from entering the country, an unexpected move occurring shortly after it began permitting Western travelers for the first time since the onset of the Covid-19 pandemic in early 2020. The secluded nation initially imposed strict travel restrictions in response to the global health crisis and began cautiously easing measures in mid-2023. In an attempt to revitalize its strained economy, North Korea opened up to visitors from Russia in 2024, but early last month marked the first opportunity for Western tourists to journey to the isolated city of Rason. However, multiple tour companies have now announced cancellations of trips, citing a sudden directive from North Korean authorities. “Just received news from our Korean partners that Rason is closed to everyone. We will keep you posted,” posted KTG Tours on Facebook, a travel agency focusing on trips to North Korea.Other companies, such as Young Pioneer Tours and Koryo Tours, have echoed similar sentiments, advising clients to hold off on any upcoming travel bookings until more information is available. The recent influx of tourists was framed as an experimental initiative to test new economic policies in Rason, a city designated as a special economic zone by North Korea.Tour operators noted that visitors experienced even stricter limitations than in the pre-pandemic era. Tourists reported fewer opportunities to engage with locals and explore the streets, alongside a lack of access to phone signals and the internet. A tour leader speculated that the selection of Rason was due to its manageable size and ease of control for authorities.Earlier this week, Koryo Tours had expanded its offerings by accepting international applications for the upcoming Pyongyang Marathon for the first time in five years, set for April 6. With the recent travel ban, however, the status of these applications remains uncertain.In 2019, North Korea attracted approximately 350,000 foreign tourists, with a staggering 90% originating from China, according to various media reports. The future of international tourism to North Korea appears increasingly precarious.
