North Korea Suspends Tourism Again Just Weeks After Reopening

[Social Media]

 

North Korea has abruptly halted tourism, just weeks after allowing the first Western visitors to enter the country in five years.  

 

The reclusive nation initially shut its borders in early 2020 as a response to the Covid-19 pandemic and only began gradually easing restrictions in mid-2023. While Russian tourists were welcomed in 2024, it wasn’t until last month that Western travelers were permitted to visit Rason, a remote city in the country’s northeast designated as a special economic zone.  

 

 

However, multiple tour companies have now announced the suspension of all trips to North Korea until further notice, with no official explanation from Pyongyang. "Just received news from our Korean partners that Rason is closed to everyone. We will keep you posted," China-based KTG Tours posted on Facebook on Wednesday.  

 

Other well-known agencies, including Young Pioneer Tours and Koryo Tours, have also confirmed the cancellation of their tours. Young Pioneer Tours advised travelers who had planned visits in April and May to hold off on booking flights "until we have more information."  

 

The first Western tourists arrived in Rason on February 20, part of an effort by North Korea to test new economic policies. However, tour operators reported that restrictions on visitors were even tighter than before the pandemic. Tourists had fewer opportunities to walk freely, interact with locals, or explore beyond designated areas. Internet access and mobile phone signals were also unavailable during their stay.  

 

One tour leader suggested that Rason was chosen for reopening because it is a relatively contained area, making it easier for authorities to monitor and control foreign visitors.  

 

Earlier this week, Koryo Tours had announced that it was accepting international applications for the Pyongyang Marathon, set to take place on April 6. With this latest suspension, it remains uncertain whether these applications will still be processed.  

 

Before the pandemic, North Korea saw approximately 350,000 foreign tourists in 2019, the majority of whom—90%—were Chinese, according to media reports. However, American citizens have been banned from visiting the country since 2017, following the tragic case of Otto Warmbier.  

 

Warmbier, a 22-year-old University of Virginia student, was arrested in Pyongyang in January 2016 after allegedly stealing a propaganda banner from his hotel. He was sentenced to 15 years of hard labor for what the North Korean government called a "hostile act." The following year, he was returned to the U.S. in a coma and died shortly afterward.  

 

With North Korea now abruptly shutting its doors again, the future of tourism in the country remains as uncertain as ever.

 

Based on a report by BBC  2025-03-08

 

Related Topic:

North Korea’s First Tourists in Five Years Share Surreal Experience

 

 

[BusyB]

 

The Dead Kennedys 'Holiday in Cambodia' springs to mind.

[KhunBENQ]

Oh how bad, Pattaya again

 

How can sane westerners consider such trips??

Some people need the thrill.

Ok at least no overcrowding

[Asquith Production]

Not sure what people see in these NK trips. They are so controlled in what they allow you to see and given information  that everybody knows ls untrue.. So I cannot see the point.

[klauskunkel]

2 hours ago, Asquith Production said:

Not sure what people see in these NK trips. They are so controlled in what they allow you to see and given information  that everybody knows ls untrue.. So I cannot see the point.

Some people just want that original haircut...

[Harrisfan]

No refunds I guess.

[johng]

3 hours ago, Asquith Production said:

They are so controlled in what they allow you to see and given information  that everybody knows ls untrue..

 

How do you know what they see and the information given is untrue ?

Are you a North Korean defector ?

[thesetat]

2 hours ago, johng said:

 

How do you know what they see and the information given is untrue ?

Are you a North Korean defector ?

Lots of well documented vdos about this as well as testimonies from people who managed to escape NK. I especially liked the one about all the food there available only to have it shown as a scam. Setup up to look stocked when really the store was empty. 

[Asquith Production]

14 hours ago, johng said:

 

How do you know what they see and the information given is untrue ?

Are you a North Korean defector ?

So you know about this country?. Tell me about the freedom that travellers have to explore.

[watchcat]

17 hours ago, KhunBENQ said:

How can sane westerners consider such trips??

 

To show the arrival stamp in their passports ?

[KhunBENQ]

8 minutes ago, watchcat said:

 

To show the arrival stamp in their passports ?

Kind of.

Do you know "groundhopping"?

[johng]

1 hour ago, Asquith Production said:

So you know about this country?. Tell me about the freedom that travellers have to explore.

The only thing I know about the country is what the "legacy media" say about it....I have never been there or know any North Korean's

[Hanuman2547]

Oh darn.  I was so looking forward to spending a nice relaxing spring holiday in the land of The Great Leader.  Perhaps I can book a holiday to the beaches of Yemen, Iran, or Somalia.

[rough diamond]

31 minutes ago, Hanuman2547 said:

Oh darn.  I was so looking forward to spending a nice relaxing spring holiday in the land of The Great Leader.  Perhaps I can book a holiday to the beaches of Yemen, Iran, or Somalia.

You missed out a few but especially the Gaza Strip.