SEOUL — After a lengthy suspension due to the COVID-19 pandemic, international tourism to North Korea's Samjiyon will resume in December, signaling a broader reopening to foreign visitors, according to announcements from a Beijing-based tour operator.
According to Yonhap News Agency, Koryo Tours, a company known for organizing trips to North Korea, stated on its website that it has received confirmation from its local partners in North Korea about the resumption. "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 agency expressed. Samjiyon, located near the iconic Mount Paektu, has been a focal point for North Korean leader Kim Jong-un, who visited last month to oversee development projects aimed at bolstering the region's appeal to tourists.
The move to reopen borders to international tourists comes after North Korea allowed several groups of Russian tourists last year, marking a cautious step towards reviving its tourism sector. Observers note that North Korea is likely aiming to boost its tourism industry to generate much-needed foreign currency amidst ongoing international sanctions.