BEIJING — International tourism to North Korea's city of Samjiyon is set to resume in December after being suspended for four years due to the COVID-19 pandemic, according to Koryo Tours, a Beijing-based agency specializing in North Korean travel. The announcement marks a significant reopening for North Korea, which has maintained strict border controls since the onset of the global health crisis.
According to Yonhap News Agency, the decision to reopen was confirmed by their local partner in North Korea. "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 stated on its website. Samjiyon, located near the significant Mount Paektu, has been a focus of developmental discussions by North Korean leader Kim Jong-un, further highlighting its importance as a tourist destination. Last year, North Korea began to ease its borders slightly, allowing several groups of Russian tourists, signaling a cautious step towards broader international tourism amid ongoing international sanctions.