North Korea is set to resume international tourism to its northeastern city of Samjiyon in December, with potential plans to extend this to other parts of the country, according to tour companies on Wednesday.
This announcement indicates that the reclusive nation is preparing to reopen its borders to larger groups of foreign tourists following years of stringent COVID-19 border restrictions.
“We have received confirmation from our local partner that tourism to Samjiyon and likely the rest of the country will officially resume in December 2024,” the Beijing-based Koryo Tours said on its website.
International flights to and from North Korea resumed last year, and a small group of Russian tourists visited the country for a private tour in February.
High-profile foreign officials, including Russian President Vladimir Putin in June, have also visited North Korea. However, the country has not been fully open to international tourists since 2020.
“Having waited for over four years to make this announcement, Koryo Tours is very excited for the opening of North Korean tourism once again,” the firm said, adding its local partner would confirm itineraries and dates in coming weeks.
North Korea has been developing what it describes as a “socialist utopia” in Samjiyon, a city near the Chinese border. The project includes new apartments, hotels, a ski resort, and various commercial, cultural, and medical facilities, aiming to create a “model of a highly-civilized mountain city.”
In July, leader Kim Jong Un removed or demoted several senior officials for their “irresponsible” management of the Samjiyon project.
Another travel agency, KTG Tours, has also announced that tourists will be able to visit Samjiyon starting this winter.
