SEOUL (Reuters) – As tour companies reported on Wednesday, North Korea plans to bring back foreign tourists to its northeastern city of Samjiyon in December, and perhaps even to the entire country.
The action indicates that, following years of stringent COVID border controls, the secluded nation is getting ready to reopen its borders to larger groups of foreign visitors.
The Beijing-based Koryo Tours stated on its website, “We have received confirmation from our local partner that tourism to Samjiyon and likely the rest of the country will officially resume in December 2024.”
A small party of Russian visitors travelled to North Korea in February for a private trip, and international flights into and out of the country were restarted last year. Leading international figures have been in the nation, including Russian President Vladimir Putin in June.
However, since 2020, North Korea has not been completely accessible to foreign travellers.
“Koryo Tours is thrilled about the opening of North Korean tourism once again, having waited for over four years to make this announcement,” the company stated, adding that its local partner would finalize dates and itineraries in the upcoming weeks.
In Samjiyon, a city close to the Chinese border, North Korea has been constructing what it dubbed a “socialist utopia” and “a model of highly-civilized mountain city” with brand-new residences, hotels, a ski resort, and commercial, cultural, and medical amenities.
In July, President Kim Jong Un fired or demoted several high-ranking officials for their “irresponsible” management of his flagship project, Samjiyon.
It was also stated by KTG Tours, another travel company, that visitors will be able to visit Samjiyon starting this winter.
