Reopening after Covid-19
According to Yonhap, Koryo Tours (China), a company specializing in tours to North Korea, said it has been informed by its partners in North Korea about resuming tourism activities to Samjiyon - a city in the northeast of the country, near the border between North Korea and China at the end of this year.
"After more than four years of waiting, Koryo Tours is delighted to reopen tourism to North Korea," the company said on its website, adding that the itinerary and official dates will be announced in the coming weeks by its partner in North Korea. Another tour operator, KTG Tours (China), also announced on its social media page that tourists will be able to visit Samjiyon starting this winter.
Image of tourists in North Korea in 2018.
The city of Samjiyon has recently been developed into a tourist destination by North Korea with many new constructions, such as ski resorts, luxury hotels and modern infrastructure. According to sources, this city is also where the founder of North Korea, Kim Il Sung, fought against the Japanese occupation forces and launched the revolution. It was a popular destination for Chinese tourists before the Covid-19 pandemic. The pandemic has caused North Korea's borders to be almost completely sealed off from the outside world for several years.
Tourists can visit North Korea on the occasion oflastthis year.
Since mid-last year, the country has begun easing restrictions by resuming international flights, allowing citizens stranded by the pandemic to return. About 100 Russian tourists were welcomed to North Korea in early 2024. High-ranking foreign officials, including Russian President Vladimir Putin, have also visited the country. However, North Korea has not fully opened its doors to international tourists since 2020. If you are planning to travel to North Korea, follow updates from travel agencies and government agencies to get the most accurate information.
