North Korea Reopens to Foreign Tourists for the First Time Since COVID
North Korea has officially reopened its doors to foreign tourists for the first time in five years, marking a significant shift in the country's strict border policies since the COVID-19 pandemic. A small group of international visitors recently completed a five-day tour in the northeastern North Korean border city of Rason, signaling that the country may be preparing for a broader resumption of international tourism. Experts believe this move is an attempt to revive North Korea’s struggling economy by bringing in much-needed foreign currency.
The reopening of North Korea’s borders for tourism is a major development, given that the country was one of the first to shut its borders completely when the pandemic began in early 2020. Since then, it had maintained some of the world’s strictest border controls, banning international tourists, expelling diplomats, and significantly limiting trade with other countries. However, recent events indicate that the country is slowly reversing its isolationist policies.
The latest tour, arranged by the Beijing-based travel agency Koryo Tours, took place from February 20 to February 24 and included 13 international tourists from countries such as the UK, Canada, Greece, New Zealand, France, Germany, Austria, Australia, and Italy. The tourists entered North Korea by land from China and spent five days visiting various sites in Rason, a special economic zone located in the northeastern part of the country.
According to Simon Cockerell, the General Manager of Koryo Tours, the group had the opportunity to visit factories, shops, schools, and even the statues of North Korea’s former leaders, Kim Il Sung and Kim Jong Il. This type of guided tour is typical for foreign visitors, as North Korean authorities maintain strict control over what tourists can see and do. Nevertheless, the resumption of organized tours marks a significant step toward reopening the country.
Before the COVID-19 pandemic, North Korea’s tourism sector was an important source of foreign currency, as the country remains heavily sanctioned due to its nuclear program. While tourism was never a major industry in North Korea, it provided a relatively safe and legal way for the country to earn much-needed revenue. The majority of foreign tourists visiting North Korea before the pandemic were from China, with up to 300,000 Chinese visitors traveling to the country annually.
Interestingly, North Korea’s first foreign tourists in five years were not from China but from Russia. In February 2024, North Korea accepted around 100 Russian tourists, making them the first post-pandemic visitors to the country. Over the course of 2024, approximately 880 Russian tourists visited North Korea, according to official Russian data cited by South Korea’s Unification Ministry. This move highlighted the growing ties between North Korea and Russia, especially in light of North Korea’s alleged support for Russia’s war in Ukraine.
Despite these developments, organized Chinese group tours to North Korea remain suspended, which is surprising given China’s historical role as North Korea’s closest ally and biggest trading partner. Experts suggest that tensions between China and North Korea have increased in recent years, particularly as China has distanced itself from North Korea’s growing alliance with Russia.
The reopening of North Korea to foreign tourists comes at a time when the country is preparing to launch a major tourism project. Reports indicate that North Korea is set to open a large tourism site on its eastern coast in June. This project has drawn attention, especially after former U.S. President Donald Trump commented on North Korea’s "tremendous condo capabilities" and its extensive shoreline. While the details of this new tourism site remain unclear, it is expected to be part of North Korea’s broader efforts to attract international visitors and generate foreign income.
Despite its efforts to restart tourism, North Korea will still face significant challenges in making the industry profitable. The country’s strict travel regulations, which require foreign visitors to be accompanied by government-approved guides at all times, are unlikely to change. Additionally, photography is highly restricted, and tourists are prohibited from engaging in unsupervised conversations with North Korean citizens. These restrictions may limit the appeal of North Korea as a tourist destination, especially for Western travelers.
For now, Rason, Pyongyang, and the upcoming eastern coast tourism site appear to be the main areas where North Korea feels comfortable allowing foreign visitors. These locations are easier for the government to monitor and control compared to other parts of the country. It remains to be seen whether North Korea will further ease its restrictions on international tourism in the coming months or if it will continue to limit access to a select group of visitors.
The reopening of North Korea’s borders to international tourists is a significant development, both economically and politically. While the country is still highly isolated, this move suggests that North Korea is looking for ways to recover financially after years of strict border closures. Whether the return of tourism will be enough to help North Korea’s struggling economy remains uncertain, but for now, the country appears ready to welcome back foreign visitors under tightly controlled conditions.