Tour operators say North Korea will open its border for foreign tourists in December

North Korea will resume international tourism to its northeastern city of Samjiyon in December, indicating a possible reopening of borders to foreign tourists in the rest of the country. This move comes after years of strict Covid border controls which restricted international travel to the country. Tour companies such as Koryo Tours and KTG Tours have confirmed that tourism to Samjiyon and possibly the rest of North Korea will officially resume in December 2024. International flights in and out of North Korea have already resumed, and some Russian tourists visited the country earlier this year. North Korea has not been fully open to international tourists since 2020. The city of Samjiyon has been undergoing development to become a “socialist utopia” with new infrastructure including apartments, hotels, a ski resort, and cultural and medical facilities. Leader Kim Jong Un has recently fired or demoted officials for mishandling the development project in Samjiyon. Overall, the announcement of the resumption of tourism in Samjiyon is a positive sign of North Korea’s readiness to welcome back foreign visitors after years of closed borders.

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