North Korea is poised to partially reopen its borders to foreign tourists after nearly five years of strict isolation due to the COVID-19 pandemic. This move marks a significant development for the reclusive nation, which has been largely sealed off from the world since early 2020. According to Chinese-based tour operators, including Koryo Tours and KTG Tours, the northern city of Samjiyon will be the first destination to welcome visitors starting in December 2024.
The reopening, however, comes with limitations. While Samjiyon will be accessible to foreign tourists, other parts of the country, including the capital Pyongyang, remain off-limits for now. "So far just Samjiyon has been officially confirmed, but we think that Pyongyang and other places will open too," wrote KTG Tours in a Facebook post. The exact dates for the reopening are yet to be finalized, and details remain sparse, leaving some experts skeptical about the timeline.
Chad O'Carroll, CEO of Korea Risk Group, expressed caution regarding the announcement. "I will believe it when I see it," he told the BBC, highlighting the uncertainty surrounding North Korea's reopening plans. Despite this skepticism, tour operators are gearing up for the potential influx of visitors, eager to resume operations after an unprecedented hiatus.
Samjiyon, a mountainous city near the Chinese border, has been undergoing significant development in recent years. North Korean authorities have touted the city as a "socialist utopia" and a model of a highly civilized mountain city. The area is rich in historical and cultural significance, particularly due to its proximity to Mount Paektu, a volcanic mountain revered as the birthplace of the Korean revolution and the reputed birthplace of Kim Jong Il. The city has been equipped with new apartments, hotels, a ski resort, and various commercial, cultural, and medical facilities, making it an attractive winter destination.
The reopening of Samjiyon is seen as a strategic move by North Korea to slowly reengage with the world while maintaining strict control over who enters the country and where they can go. Koryo Tours noted that while Samjiyon is currently the only confirmed destination, they hope other locations will gradually open to tourists. "We have never before come across such a long closure of the borders," the company stated, emphasizing the significance of this development.
The reopening of Samjiyon also reflects broader efforts by North Korea to recover from the economic impact of the pandemic and reassert itself on the global stage. International flights to and from North Korea resumed last year, and there have been signs of warming relations with countries like Russia. Earlier this year, a group of Russian tourists was allowed to visit North Korea, and in June, Russian President Vladimir Putin met with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, signaling closer ties between the two nations.
However, the reopening announcement comes with a caveat: tourists from South Korea will not be allowed to join these tours. This restriction is consistent with North Korea's longstanding policy of limiting interactions with its southern neighbor. Additionally, U.S. citizens remain banned from traveling to North Korea due to safety concerns.
For those eager to visit North Korea, the upcoming reopening of Samjiyon presents a rare opportunity. However, potential visitors are advised to approach with caution, given the unpredictable nature of North Korea's policies. As Koryo Tours cautioned, "things may be a little more chaotic than usual," with the reopening process still in its early stages.
The decision to reopen Samjiyon, even partially, could be a test case for how North Korea manages tourism in a post-pandemic world. It remains to be seen whether this move will pave the way for a broader reopening of the country or if it will be limited to select destinations under tight government control.
