North Korea to Resume International Tourism This Winter, Say Operators

SEOUL, Aug. 15 — North Korea is poised to permit international tourism to resume by the end of this year, as announced by two tour operators based in China. This decision comes nearly five years after the nation shut its borders in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

On Wednesday, both Koryo Tours and KTG Tours reported that travel to Samjiyon, a city in the mountainous northeastern region close to the Chinese border, is expected to open this winter.

Samjiyon is nestled at the base of Mount Paektu, a location esteemed by both North and South Koreans for its near-mystical significance.

Koryo Tours, which operates out of Beijing, shared in a blog post that they have received confirmation from a local partner regarding the resumption of tourism in Samjiyon, and possibly throughout all of North Korea, set for December 2024.

The blog highlighted, “Our partner informed us that the official itinerary and dates will be announced in the coming weeks.” Similarly, KTG Tours, based in Shenyang, stated in an online message that “borders are set to open in winter, presumably December 2024.”

KTG Tours mentioned, “Two years ago, our Korean partners sent us new programs, hotels, and facilities available to travelers in Samjiyon.”

However, they added, “As for the rest of the country, including Pyongyang, there has been no official confirmation.” They expressed the belief that the remainder of the country might also reopen soon but emphasized that nothing definitive has been announced.

In recent years, North Korea has been upgrading tourism infrastructure in Samjiyon, as reported by state-run media. Just last month, North Korean leader Kim Jong Un visited the area and revealed plans for a new airport, a ski resort, and hotels aimed at “friendly foreign guests.”

According to the official Korean Central News Agency, Kim “gave important instructions for building a tourist resort in the world-famous Mt. Paektu for our people and the world,” intending to make tourism a pivotal factor in the region’s development.

Mount Paektu holds a significant place in North Korean culture, symbolizing the struggle for independence from Japanese colonialism and is revered as the birthplace of Kim Jong Il, the father of Kim Jong Un. The mountain is also considered in ancient Korean mythology to be the sacred birthplace of the Korean people.

Prior to its border closure in January 2020, Samjiyon was a favored destination for Chinese tourists. North Korea remained completely shut off from international visitors for over three years, beginning with the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic until a limited reopening was initiated last August.

The first group of tourists after the pandemic, approximately 100 visitors from Russia, arrived in Pyongyang in February, signaling strengthened ties with Moscow.

The U.S. State Department currently classifies North Korea as a “Level 4: Do Not Travel” destination. As such, U.S. passports are not valid for travel to North Korea unless specifically validated by the department.