North Korea Suspends Tourism Post-Reopening Amid Uncertainty

North Korea has suddenly suspended foreign tourism just weeks after it allowed Western tourists for the first time in five years. This follows a broader trend of increasing diplomatic relations with Russia and significant revenue from tourism prior to the COVID pandemic. Travel operators report cancellations and uncertainty regarding future visits.

North Korea has unexpectedly ceased tourism for foreign visitors, mere weeks after a limited reopening permitted the entry of Western tourists. This decision follows an extended ban on international tourism that was implemented at the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic in early 2020. The country had begun easing restrictions earlier this year; however, the recent suspension raises questions regarding the underlying motives for this abrupt change.

The initial reopening in 2024 allowed Russian tourists into North Korea, with further permissions extended to visitors from countries including Britain, Canada, France, and Germany, who were welcomed to Rason, a city designated as a special economic zone. During their visit, these guests were shown various attractions, including factories and monuments of past leaders but were restricted from traveling to the capital, Pyongyang.

Tour operators have announced the cancellation of travel to North Korea until further notice, citing uncertainty surrounding the reasons for this closure and its duration. Koryo Tours, based in Beijing, characterized the situation as unprecedented. Meanwhile, Young Pioneer Tours advised potential travelers to postpone their bookings for April and May, assuring that refunds would be provided for canceled tours.

Before the pandemic, North Korea received hundreds of thousands of Chinese tourists generating significant tourism revenue, with reports indicating an intake of approximately $175 million in 2019. Simultaneously, North Korea has reportedly increased its diplomatic relations with Russia, evidenced by nearly 900 Russian tourists visiting the nation in 2024 according to statistics from the South Korean Unification Ministry. The travel limitations also reflect the U.S. government’s warning against American citizens traveling to North Korea since 2017, triggered by the fatal incident involving American student Otto Warmbier.

North Korea’s abrupt halt to tourism reiterates the fragility of international relations and the unpredictability of the region, particularly regarding the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic. Despite earlier promises of reopening, foreign tourism remains suspended without clear justification from authorities. This suspension poses challenges for travel operators and underscores North Korea’s selective engagement with the global tourism market.

Original Source: www.paxnews.com