The closure raises questions about the country’s stability and ongoing pandemic protocols as it grapples with the aftermath of COVID-19.
**North Korea Suspends Tourism Less Than a Month After Welcoming Foreign Visitors**
**North Korea Suspends Tourism Less Than a Month After Welcoming Foreign Visitors**
North Korea abruptly cancels tourism activities barely weeks after reopening to Western visitors for the first time in five years.
North Korea has once again closed its borders to foreign tourists, halting all travel arrangements just weeks after allowing the first Western visitors since the pandemic began. This sudden decision comes only a month after the reclusive state reopened its doors to visitors in February 2024, drawing attention to its ongoing restrictions and evolving policies.
The country originally sealed its borders in early 2020 due to COVID-19 and only began loosening restrictions in mid-2023. Even with the limited reintroduction of tourism, the conditions for travelers were extremely controlled, with them facing tighter restrictions compared to pre-pandemic tours, including limited interactions with locals and restrictions on mobile connectivity.
KTG Tours, a China-based travel agency specializing in North Korean tours, announced the unexpected halt in operations via a social media update, stating that all planned trips to the special economic zone of Rason were cancelled. Other travel agencies, such as Young Pioneer Tours and Koryo Tours, echoed this sentiment, advising travelers considering tours for the upcoming months to postpone their plans until new information is released.
This opening was viewed as a trial for North Korea’s new financial policies, aiming to attract more foreign tourists and boost its economy, which has been severely impacted by years of isolation. In 2019, nearly 350,000 foreign tourists visited North Korea, with 90% originating from China.
As the reimplementation of travel arises, uncertainties loom, particularly concerning events like the Pyongyang Marathon, scheduled for April 6, which may face similar fate with current restrictions.
The country originally sealed its borders in early 2020 due to COVID-19 and only began loosening restrictions in mid-2023. Even with the limited reintroduction of tourism, the conditions for travelers were extremely controlled, with them facing tighter restrictions compared to pre-pandemic tours, including limited interactions with locals and restrictions on mobile connectivity.
KTG Tours, a China-based travel agency specializing in North Korean tours, announced the unexpected halt in operations via a social media update, stating that all planned trips to the special economic zone of Rason were cancelled. Other travel agencies, such as Young Pioneer Tours and Koryo Tours, echoed this sentiment, advising travelers considering tours for the upcoming months to postpone their plans until new information is released.
This opening was viewed as a trial for North Korea’s new financial policies, aiming to attract more foreign tourists and boost its economy, which has been severely impacted by years of isolation. In 2019, nearly 350,000 foreign tourists visited North Korea, with 90% originating from China.
As the reimplementation of travel arises, uncertainties loom, particularly concerning events like the Pyongyang Marathon, scheduled for April 6, which may face similar fate with current restrictions.
