• North Korea plans to resume international tourism to its northeastern city of Samjiyon in December 2024.
• This move signals the country’s readiness to reopen its borders to larger foreign tourists.
• Despite this, North Korea has remained largely closed to international tourists since 2020.

On Wednesday, tour companies announced that North Korea will resume international tourism to its northeastern city of Samjiyon in December, with the possibility of extending it to other parts of the country. This decision signals that the reclusive nation is preparing to reopen its borders to larger groups of foreign tourists after years of strict COVID-19 border controls.

“We have received confirmation from our local partner that tourism to Samjiyon and likely the rest of the country will officially resume in December 2024,” the Beijing-based Koryo Tours said on its website.

North Korea resumed international flights in and out of the country last year, and a small group of Russian tourists visited North Korea for a private tour in February. Foreign officials, including Russian President Vladimir Putin in June, have also visited the country. However, North Korea has remained largely closed to international tourists since 2020.

“Having waited for over four years to make this announcement, Koryo Tours is very excited for the opening of North Korean tourism once again,” the firm said, adding its local partner would confirm itineraries and dates in coming weeks.

North Korea has been developing Samjiyon, a city near the Chinese border, into what it calls a “socialist utopia” and “a model of a highly-civilized mountain city.” The project includes new apartments, hotels, a ski resort, and various commercial, cultural, and medical facilities. In July, Leader Kim Jong Un removed or demoted several senior officials for their “irresponsible” management of the Samjiyon project.

KTG Tours also announced that tourists could visit Samjiyon starting this winter.

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