North Korea to Reopen City to Foreign Tourists After Nearly Five Years
After nearly five years of border closures due to the Covid-19 pandemic, North Korea has announced that it will reopen one city to foreign tourists in December. The mountainous northern city of Samjiyon will be open to visitors, marking a significant step in the country’s efforts to resume international tourism.
The reclusive nation sealed itself off at the start of the pandemic in early 2020 and only began to scale back restrictions in the middle of last year. The border closures not only affected tourism but also led to food shortages due to the cut-off of imports of essential goods and international sanctions related to the country’s nuclear program.
Tour operators based in China have already started to make plans for trips to Samjiyon, with the possibility of other parts of North Korea opening up as well. Beijing’s Koryo Tour said tourists could potentially visit other areas of the country in December, while Shenyang’s KTG Tours expressed optimism that Pyongyang and other places would also open soon.
Samjiyon, located at the foot of North Korea’s tallest mountain Paektu, is known for its winter attractions and historical significance. The city has been undergoing major redevelopment in recent years, with plans to revitalize international tourism and attract visitors from “friendly” nations.
North Korea has only allowed Russian tourists to enter the country since early 2024, but now tourists from any country, except South Korea, will be able to join the trips to Samjiyon. However, US citizens are still banned from traveling to North Korea.
The reopening of Samjiyon to foreign tourists is a positive development for North Korea, which has been one of the last few countries to lift border controls and allow the return of citizens who were locked out due to the pandemic. This move signals a potential shift towards a more open approach to international tourism in the country.
