North Korea set to reopen for tourism after five years

August 15, 2024
Samjiyon is known for winter tourism, sitting at the foot of North Korea's tallest mountain.

After nearly five years of border closures because to the Covid epidemic, North Korea will reopen one city to international tourists in December.

Samjiyon, a hilly city in northern China, may soon be open to tourists, according to at least two travel firms located in China.

When the pandemic first began in early 2020, North Korea isolated itself. Only in the middle of last year did it begin to reduce limitations.

Due to the country's nuclear program, the border controls also prevented the import of necessities, which exacerbated the food shortages caused by international sanctions.

"So far just Samjiyon has been officially confirmed but we think that Pyongyang and other places will open too!!!" Shenyang's KTG Tours wrote on its Facebook page on Wednesday.

Beijing's Koryo Tour said tourists could "potentially" visit other parts of North Korea in December.

"Having waited for over four years to make this announcement, Koryo Tours is very excited for the opening of North Korean tourism once again," it said Wednesday on its website.

Samjiyon lies on the foot of North Korea's tallest mountain Paektu, which straddles the China-North Korea border. It is known for its winter attractions.

Pyongyang's propaganda says the mountain is where North Korea's founder Kim Il Sung battled Japanese occupation forces and launched the revolution. He is the grandfather of current president Kim Jong Un.

It also claims Paektu is where the incumbent's father, Kim Jong Il, was born.
Samjiyon has been undergoing major redevelopment in recent years, with Mr Kim revealing plans in July to rebuild its airport, convert a military ski base into a resort, and build new railways and hotels for foreign tourists, according to state media.
Mr Kim said plans to “revitalize international tourism” would be aimed at visitors from “friendly” nations.

KCNA reported at that time that the Mount Paektu-Samjiyon zone was envisioned to be a “four-season mountainous tourist area to meet the cultural and emotional needs of the people on the highest level and revitalize international tourism.”

North Korea has only allowed Russian tourists to enter the country since early 2024, amid warming ties between the two nations.

It is not clear whether the reopening of North Korea's borders applies to tourists from all nations, or only those countries that it considers as "friendly".

It was only in August last year that North Korea allowed the return of citizens who were locked out because of border controls, one of the last few countries to do so.