North Korea reopens borders for tourists after nearly five years of isolation 

After nearly five years of isolation due to strict COVID-19 restrictions, North Korea is preparing to partially reopen its borders to international visitors starting this December. This marks a significant shift for the secretive nation, which has remained largely closed off from the outside world since 2020.  

Tourism will initially resume in the northeastern city of Samjiyon, with the possibility of other regions opening up soon after. This development was revealed by tour companies earlier this week. Samjiyon, located near the Chinese border, is being touted by North Korean leaders as a “socialist utopia.” The city has undergone extensive development in recent years, with new apartments, hotels, ski resorts, and cultural and medical institutions now in place. The regime aims to showcase Samjiyon as a “highly-civilized mountain city.” 

Samjiyon is nestled at the foot of Mt. Paektu, North Korea’s tallest mountain, which straddles the border between China and North Korea. The area is well-known for its winter attractions, drawing visitors to its snowy landscapes and ski resorts. Mt. Paektu holds deep cultural and historical significance in North Korea, and state propaganda highlights the mountain as a key site in the nation’s revolutionary history. According to official accounts, it was here that Kim Il Sung, the country’s founder and the grandfather of current leader Kim Jong Un, fought against Japanese occupation forces and launched the revolution. 

International flights to and from North Korea resumed last year, and a small group of Russian tourists was granted a private tour in February. However, the country’s borders have remained closed to most of the world until now. The reopening is a cautious step forward, but it still comes with restrictions, particularly for American citizens. 

The U.S. State Department has made it clear that all U.S. passports are invalid for travel to, from, or through North Korea unless special permission is granted by the Secretary of State. Moreover, independent tourism is not allowed in North Korea. Visitors must travel in groups organized by either North Korean officials or approved travel agencies, and they must be accompanied by an official guide at all times. 

Since early 2024, North Korea has only allowed Russian tourists to enter, reflecting the warming ties between the two nations. The country was among the last in the world to lift its stringent border controls, only allowing the return of its own citizens in August last year.