North Korea is set to reopen limited international tourism by the end of 2024, marking a significant development after nearly five years of sealed borders due to the Covid-19 pandemic. Two tour companies, Beijing-based Koryo Tours and Shenyang-based KTG Tours, have announced plans to resume tours to the mountainous city of Samjiyon, believed to be the birthplace of the late North Korean leader Kim Jong Il.
Koryo Tours confirmed that tourism to Samjiyon and potentially other parts of the country will officially resume in December 2024. Details of the itineraries are expected to be finalized in the coming days and weeks. Similarly, KTG Tours mentioned that tours to Samjiyon are in the works, with hopes that other destinations like Pyongyang will also open up for visitors.
Samjiyon, located near the Chinese border and close to Mount Paektu, holds great historical and cultural significance for both North and South Koreans. Mount Paektu, an active volcano and the highest peak on the Korean Peninsula, is considered the cradle of the Korean people and plays a crucial role in the legitimacy of the ruling Kim family.
While South Koreans are currently restricted from visiting the North, past visits by South Korea's former president Moon Jae-in and his wife to Mount Paektu underscore the symbolic importance of the mountain. For North Koreans, reaching the summit of Mount Paektu is akin to a religious pilgrimage.
Samjiyon was once a popular destination for Chinese tourists before the pandemic, providing North Korea with revenue despite international sanctions. North Korean leader Kim Jong Un recently inspected construction sites in Samjiyon, indicating preparations for the reopening of tourism.
Although North Korean state media have not officially announced the reopening to foreign visitors, Kim Jong Un has expressed a preference for visitors from 'friendly' nations such as Russia and China. The resumption of limited international tourism in North Korea is expected to bring economic benefits and cultural exchanges to the isolated nation.
