In brief
The abrupt decision to cancel tourism highlights North Korea's ongoing strict control measures following the pandemic, despite initial easing of restrictions.
North Korea has unexpectedly suspended tourism, just weeks after allowing the first Western tourists to visit the country in five years. The nation had closed its borders at the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic in early 2020 and began easing restrictions mid-2023. In a cautious revival, North Korea opened its doors to Russian visitors in 2024 but allowed Western tourists into the eastern city of Rason only last month. However, several tour operators have reported that trips to North Korea have been cancelled until further notice, with no official explanation provided by Pyongyang for this swift shutdown. "Just received news from our Korean partners that Rason is closed to everyone. We will keep you posted," stated China-based KTG Tours on Facebook. Other companies, including Young Pioneer Tours and Koryo Tours, echoed similar updates, advising clients to hold off on booking flights for upcoming tours scheduled for April and May until more clarity emerges. On February 20, the first Western tourists began arriving in Rason, a city designated as a special economic zone to trial new financial policies. Despite the initial optimism, tour operators indicated that the experience was highly restricted compared to pre-pandemic visits, with limited interaction with locals and no access to phone signals or internet. One tour leader mentioned that Rason may have been chosen for its relative containment and manageability. Furthermore, Koryo Tours had previously accepted international applications for the upcoming Pyongyang Marathon set for April 6, but it remains uncertain whether those applications can proceed due to the recent ban. In 2019, North Korea welcomed around 350,000 foreign tourists, with a significant 90% of those visitors coming from China, highlighting the country’s previous reliance on foreign tourism before the pandemic.
