North Korea is due to reopen its borders to internationlal tourists by the end of the year, according to two Chinese tour companies. The country has been largely closed off to foreign visitors since strict Covid-19 border control measures were introduced in 2020. On Wednesday, China-based Koryo Tours and Shenyang-based KTG Tours announced that tour groups would be allowed to visit the city of Samjiyon in December.
North Korea trash balloon starts forest fire in South Korea as tensions surge Terrifying 'nuclear war' map identifies areas of US most likely to be targeted “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,” Koryo Tours said. “Having waited for over 4 years to make this announcement, Koryo Tours is very excited for the opening of North Korean tourism once again.” KTG Tours said that tourists would be able to visit Samjiyon by winter.
“Exact dates to be confirmed. So far just Samjiyon has been officially confirmed but we think that Pyongyang and other places will open too,” the company said on Facebook. North Korea has been gradually easing its tight Covid-19 entry restrictions as it tries to improve its economy.
But the country is yet to reopen to foreign tourists, except for a small number of Russians who visited in February. The group of Russian tourists, who reportedly went on a ski trip, became the first international travelers to visit North Korea since border closures in 2020. South Korean Olympic star avoids military service with emotional win North Korean defector crosses into South Korea over treacherous sea border Kim Jong Un's daughter being 'trained' to be dad's successor, spies say In July, North Korea announced plans to open a tourism zone in the country’s eastern coast by next year.
North Korean leader Kim Jong Un visited the Wonsan-Kalma zone in July, where several luxury hotels and recreational facilities have been built over the years. He said construction had entered its final stages and the project would open up by May 2025. The tourism project has suffered setbacks due to the Covid-19 pandemic and shortages of construction materials.
.
