Moscow: North Korea and Russia are jointly developing new tourism programs, a Russian news agency reported Friday, citing Russia's natural resources minister. "We are working on the development of new tourism programs. I am confident that we will also move on to joint projects to create tourism infrastructure," RIA Novosti quoted Minister Alexander Kozlov as saying.
According to Yonhap News Agency, Kozlov currently co-chairs the North Korea-Russia Intergovernmental Committee for Cooperation in Trade, Economy, Science and Technology. He mentioned that the two countries are focusing on developing transport links to boost tourist flows, highlighting the recent inauguration of a direct rail line between Pyongyang and Moscow, and the launch of the Pyongyang-Moscow air route.
The minister noted that the number of tourists from Russia to North Korea more than doubled in 2024 and 2025 compared with the pre-COVID-19 period, with about 4,000 Russians visiting the North last year and an estimated 7,000 this year. He attributed the growth to rising interest in the Masikryong ski resort, as well as the newly opened Wonsan Kalma coastal region.
Kozlov expressed optimism about the future, stating, "Given the region's unique cultural and natural features, we believe that in 2026 we will once again see an increase in these figures."