TBM Staff - Mumbai North Korea is set to reopen the northern city of Samjiyon to foreign tourists in December after nearly five years of border closures due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
According to tour operators such as China-based KTG Tours and Koryo Tours, Samjiyon, located near Mount Paektu and known for its winter attractions, will be the first city to welcome tourists. Other destinations, including Pyongyang, are expected to follow suit soon.
However, analysts remain cautious. Chad O’Carroll, CEO of the Korea Risk Group, expressed scepticism about the immediate impact of the reopening, citing the incomplete redevelopment of Samjiyon.
North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has announced plans to rebuild the city’s airport, convert a military ski base into a resort, and construct new railways and hotels to attract foreign tourists. The goal is to “revitalize international tourism” by targeting visitors from “friendly” nations.
North Korea’s borders were tightly closed at the start of the pandemic, with restrictions gradually easing only by mid-2023. Since early 2024, only Russian tourists have been allowed entry, reflecting closer ties between the two countries. Meanwhile, the U.S. continues to ban its citizens from traveling to North Korea.
