North Korea is reopening to tourist safter almost five years

Department of Research, Strategic Studies and International Relations 23-08-2024

North Korea is preparing to reopen its borders to international tourists after nearly five years, following a prolonged closure due to the Covid-19 pandemic. Travel companies are welcoming the news, though experts caution that political tensions and harsh winter conditions could complicate the reopening.

The country shutits borders in early 2020 to prevent the spread of the virus, which posed a significant risk to its already fragile healthcare system. This closure not only halted trade with China but also deprived the regime of valuable tourist revenue. During this period, North Korean leader Kim Jong-un reportedly isolated him self at a coas talretreat.

Although international flights to and from North Korea resumed last year, the country has larg ely remained inaccessible to foreigners, with only alimited number of Russian tourists participating in a private tour in February.

The recent decision to reopen to tourists has been met with enthusiasm by tour operators, but North Korea analysts warn that resuming tourism after such a long hiatus presents several challenges.

 Official North Korean media have yet to comment on the reopening, although Kim Jong-un has previously express edinterest in developing the country’s tourism sector, particularly by attracting visitors from China and Russia.

The primary objective behind welcom in g foreign tourists remainsun changed since 2020: to show case a modern, content society characterized by un wa veringloyalty to the Kim dynasty, which has ruled North Korea sinceits foun dingin 1948.

Initial tours are expected to focus on Samjiyon, a city near the Chinese border thatNorthKoreapromotes as a “social is tutopia” and a model of modern urban development. The area features new apartments, hotels, and a ski resort, and serves as a gateway to Mount Paektu, a site of great cultural significance in North Korea.

However, some experts are skeptical about the feasibility of these plans, citing Samj iyon’s remote location, harsh winter conditions, and the region’s inadequate infrastructure. Additionally, the rising political tensions and North Korea’s increasingly aggressive stance may deter Western tourists.

Industry insiderspredict that Chines en ationals will likely make up the majority of early tourists, alon gwith Russian visitors, given Kim Jong-un’srecent meetings with Vladimir Putin.

Despitethis, the potential for a significant tourism boom remainsun certain, particularly given China’s concerns over North Korea’s arms sales to Russia and the impact on bilateral relations.

Before the pandemic, North Korea sawaround 300,000 foreign touristsin 2019, with Chinese visitors comprising about 90% of the total. Experts estimate that a return to pre-pandemicl evels could generate up to $175 million for the North Korean economy, a significant sum for a country heavily reliant on foreign currency.

Tourism to North Korea has always been tightly controlled, wit honly about 5,000 Western tourists visiting each year before Covid-19. Americans, who once made up 20% of this group, have been prohibited from visiting since the 2017 death of Otto Warmbier, auniversity student who was detained in North Korea.

Whil emuchre mains undecided regarding the specifics of itineraries, it is expected that tourists will continue to beclosely monitored during their visits. The over all experience maymirror the pre-pandemic period, with guided tours and restricted movement being the norm.

Experts caution against view in gthisre opening as a significant political gesture. Instead, it is likely agradual and cautious effort to revive a long-standing tourism in dustry that has been dormant for several years.