North Korea Planning To Welcome International Tourists Again

Mostly known for its missile tests, North Korea has decided to start welcoming international tourists again. After years of shutting its doors, the country will soon welcome visitors to its northeastern city of Samjiyon.

North Korea to welcome international tourists again in December 2024

As reported by Reuters, North Korea is making plans to accept tourists back into the country. While initially, the tourist destination will be the northeastern city of Samjiyon, this could be the first step towards a wider relaxation of tourist visitation rules for the country, according to tour operators.

Beijing-based Koryo Tours recently announced on its website:

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.

Meanwhile, Koryo Tours isn’t alone in announcing the upcoming opening of Samjiyon to international tourists. KTG Tours is also advertising that visitors will be able to head to Samijoy this coming winter.

Latest news follows the resumption of international flights

The latest news comes in the wake of North Korea resuming international flights in and out of North Korea in 2023. Subsequently, a Russian tourist group visited in February this year. Moreover, in June, Russian President Vladimir Putin also visited the dictatorship. However, besides this, North Korea hasn’t been open to mass tourism since 2020.

Koryo Tours told Reuters:

Having waited for over four years to make this announcement, Koryo Tours is very excited for the opening of North Korean tourism once again.

Meanwhile, the tour company expects its partner in North Korea to release itineraries and dates during the coming days and weeks.

On Facebook, KTG Tours also announced that exact tour dates were yet to be confirmed, adding:

So far just Samjiyon has been mentioned but we think that PY [Pyongyang] and other places will open too!

What will international tourists find in Samjiyon, North Korea?

According to CNN, Samjiyon straddles the Chinese border and is in close proximity to the Korean peninsula’s highest peak, Mount Paektu. This active volcano is reportedly considered to be of paramount importance and historic significance to both North and South Koreans as it is thought to be the cradle of the Korean people.

Moreover, Reuters describes the city as a “socialist utopia” and “a model of the highly-civilized mountain city.” Reportedly, Samjiyon offers new apartments, hotels, and a ski resort. It also boasts commercial, cultural, and medical facilities.

Meanwhile, Samjiyon was a popular destination for Chinese tourists in the past, who used to visit by bus before the COVID-19 pandemic. Meanwhile, tourism attracts revenue to North Korea, despite international sanctions over Pyongyang’s illegal nuclear and ballistic missile programs.

According to the country’s state media, North Korean leader Kim Jong Un visited the construction sites in Samjiyon in July this year.

While the country’s state media has yet to report changes relating to international visitors, the country’s leader did previously indicate that he would prioritize visitors to what he called “friendly nations, including China and Russia.