In a notable sign of North Korea reopening its doors to the world, a group of foreign tourists undertook a visit to the country over the past week, marking the first international visitors apart from a Russian group last year. This development hints at North Korea’s intention to fully revive international tourism as a strategy to boost its beleaguered economy, according to experts.
The excursion was organized by Koryo Tours, a travel company based in Beijing, which facilitated a five-day itinerary from February 20 to February 24 for 13 tourists from various countries including the UK, Canada, Greece, and several others. They ventured to Rason, a northeastern North Korean border city, renowned for housing the nation’s special economic zone. According to Simon Cockerell, General Manager of Koryo Tours, the travelers crossed into North Korea by land from China and visited significant sites, including local factories, shops, schools, and the statues of former leaders Kim Il Sung and Kim Jong Il.
Cockerell remarked on the breakthrough, stating, “Since January of 2020, the country has been closed to all international tourists, and we are glad to have finally found an opening in the Rason area, in the far north of North Korea.” He noted that the initial tour has concluded, and more group and private visits are currently underway.
In response to the pandemic, North Korea swiftly enacted some of the world’s most stringent COVID-19 restrictions, barring tourists, expelling diplomats, and sharply reducing border movement. However, since 2022 there has been a gradual easing of these measures. Earlier in February 2024, approximately 100 Russian tourists were welcomed in North Korea, capturing attention as the first international visitors since the pandemic, while further Russian tours continued throughout the year. Meanwhile, tours from China remain on hold.
This development highlights the warming ties between North Korea and Russia, particularly as the North has extended military support to Russia amidst its conflict with Ukraine. Conversely, relations with China appear tempered, as China has kept distance from an anti-U.S. coalition involving North Korea and Russia.
Prior to the pandemic, tourism served as a legitimate foreign currency source for North Korea, an environment restricted by sanctions related to its nuclear ambitions. Notably, North Korea plans to unveil a significant tourism development along its east coast in June. Former U.S. President Donald Trump previously noted, “I think he has tremendous condo capabilities. He’s got a lot of shoreline.” This statement likely pertains to the aforementioned site.
However, the revival of Chinese tourism could be pivotal for North Korea’s tourism industry, as Chinese tourists constituted over 90% of foreign visitors before the pandemic, per Lee Sangkeun from the Institute for National Security Strategy linked to South Korea’s intelligence agency. Lee mentioned up to 300,000 Chinese tourists used to visit annually. He noted that despite heavy investment in tourism sites by North Korea, domestic demand remains low, prompting efforts to attract international travelers again.
Nevertheless, North Korea’s stringent regulations on foreign visitors, which include mandated local guides and photography restrictions in sensitive areas, may constrain its aspirations for tourism expansion. Lee predicts that Rason, the east coast site, and Pyongyang will remain focal points for accommodating and overseeing foreign tourists in a controlled manner.
