A first since COVID-19... North Korea opens its doors to tourists after 5 years
North Korea plans to reopen its doors to foreign tourists in December following a nearly five-year closure due to COVID-19.
12punto
Two tour operators said that North Korea will reopen to foreign tourism in December, following a nearly five-year closure triggered by COVID.
Beijing-based Koryo Tours stated on its website, "Our local partner has confirmed that tourism to Samjiyon and potentially the rest of the country will officially resume in December 2024."
China-based KTG Tours also announced on its Facebook page, "We have been told that tourists will be able to visit Samjiyon (Mount Paektu region) this winter."
"The exact dates have not been confirmed. So far, only Samjiyon has been officially announced, but we think Pyongyang and other places will also open!" they added.
'SOCIALIST UTOPIA'
Samjiyon, located near North Korea's mountainous northern border with China, is a gateway to Mount Paektu, which is considered sacred in the country and, according to official narratives, is the birthplace of the late Kim Jong-il.
His son and successor, Kim Jong-un, has allocated significant resources to implement a vast project in the city that includes apartments, hotels, and a ski resort. The city was designed as a "socialist utopia."