In brief
Tourism in North Korea faces another setback as the country halts entry just weeks after reopening to Western visitors for the first time in five years.
North Korea, which closed its borders due to the Covid-19 pandemic back in early 2020, had begun to ease restrictions earlier this year. It allowed Russian tourists in 2024, but only recently opened its doors to Western travelers in the eastern city of Rason. Now, tour companies are reporting cancellations until further notice, with no official reason provided by Pyongyang. KTG Tours, based in China, announced the closure with updates on social media, while other agencies, including Young Pioneer Tours and Koryo Tours, echoed similar messages on their platforms. They advised potential travelers for April and May to hold off on flight reservations until more clarity arises.Rason, chosen as a trial location due to its unique economic zone status, saw its visitors facing strict restrictions compared to pre-pandemic tours. Opportunities to explore streets or converse with locals were limited, alongside a lack of mobile service and internet access. Earlier this week, Koryo Tours had begun processing applications for the highly anticipated Pyongyang Marathon, set for 6 April, but its status now remains uncertain. In 2019, around 350,000 tourists visited North Korea, 90% being Chinese travelers.
