North Korea is set to reopen its borders to visitors starting in December, allowing tourism to resume in the city of Samjiyon and potentially other parts of the country after nearly five years of strict COVID-19 restrictions. The announcement has been met with excitement from tour companies who have been waiting for over four years for this opportunity to bring tourists back to North Korea.
Samjiyon, located near the Chinese border, has been developed by North Korean leaders as a “socialist utopia” with new apartments, hotels, ski resorts, and other institutions. The city is meant to be a model of a highly-civilized mountain city, showcasing the country’s progress and development in recent years. Tour companies are hopeful that other areas, such as Pyongyang, will also be open for tourism in the near future.
While international flights in and out of North Korea have resumed and a small group of Russian tourists were able to visit earlier this year, the country’s borders had been sealed since 2020. However, the restrictions did not apply to American citizens, as all US passports are invalid for travel in North Korea without special permission from the Secretary of State. The State Department warns that Americans face serious risks of arrest and long-term detention if they attempt to enter North Korea without proper authorization.
The reopening of North Korea’s borders comes after years of isolation and seclusion from the rest of the world. The country has been governed by dictator Kim Jong Un, who has made efforts to establish diplomatic relations with other countries, including a historic meeting with former President Donald Trump in 2019 at the demilitarized zone between North and South Korea. Despite these efforts, North Korea remains a heavily restricted and authoritarian state, with limitations on freedom of movement and expression for its citizens.
The resumption of tourism in North Korea is seen as a positive step towards reopening the country to the outside world and potentially improving relations with other nations. Tour companies are hopeful that the reopening of Samjiyon to tourists will be just the beginning, with plans to expand tourism to other parts of the country in the future. While challenges remain, the opportunity to visit North Korea once again is an exciting prospect for travelers interested in exploring the unique and enigmatic country.
