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.