It has been over five years since North Korea’s borders were closed because to the Covid epidemic; nonetheless, travel firms have reported that the country would reopen one of its cities to visitors from other countries in December.
At least two operators headquartered in China have claimed that visitors would soon be permitted to visit the hilly city of Samjiyon, which is located in the northern region of China.
Isolated and secluded During the beginning of the epidemic in the year 2020, North Korea established a wall around itself, and it wasn’t until the middle of the previous year that they began to relax their restrictions.
In addition, the closing of the borders prevented the importation of critical items, which resulted in a lack of food. This shortfall was rendered even more severe by international sanctions imposed on the country as a result of its nuclear program.
“So far just Samjiyon has been officially confirmed but we think that Pyongyang and other places will open too!!!” Wednesday, KTG Tours, which is based in Shenyang, posted a message on its Facebook page.
During the month of December, travelers might “potentially” go to other regions of North Korea, according to Beijing’s Koryo Tour group.
“Having waited for over four years to make this announcement, Koryo Tours is very excited for the opening of North Korean tourism once again,” it said on its official website on Wednesday.
The North Korean authorities, according to Koryo Tours, are permitting visitors from any countries across the world to participate in the travels, with the exception of South Koreans. However, the United States of America does not let its nationals to go to North Korea.
There are certain concerns over the reopening announcement, according to Chad O’Carroll, CEO of Korea Risk Group, an analytical business located in the United States.
He told,
“I will believe it when I see it,” and he meant it. “For now, I am quite sceptical we will see any real movement in December.”
According to official media, Samjiyon has been undergoing significant renovation over the last several years. In July, Mr. Kim disclosed his intentions to renovate the city’s airport, transform a military ski camp into a resort, and construct new railroads and hotels for visitors from other countries.
At the time, Mr. Kim said that the efforts to “revitalize international tourism” will be directed on tourists coming from countries that are considered to be “friendly.”
On the other hand, Mr. O’Carroll brought to light the fact that the renovation of Samjiyong is not yet finished.
“If it does get completed in time, I can imagine only Russian tourists and possibly Chinese visiting in any real numbers at first,” he said to reporters. “Unless [the Democratic Republic of Korea] offers direct Samjiyon flights to a neutral connection country like Mongolia.”
In addition to being a popular destination during the winter months, Samjiyon is located at the base of Paektu, the highest peak in North Korea. Paektu is located on the boundary between China and North Korea.
The propaganda that comes out of Pyongyang claims that the mountain is the location where Kim Il Sung, the founder of North Korea, fought against Japanese colonial troops and started the revolution. He is the grandfather of Kim Jong Un, who is now serving as president.
Additionally, it asserts that Paektu is the location where Kim Jong Il, the current leader’s father, was born.
According to a report that was published by the Kenyan Central News Agency (KCNA) in July, the Mount Paektu-Samjiyon zone was intended to be a “four-season mountainous tourist area to meet the cultural and emotional needs of the people on the highest level and revitalise international tourism.”
Since the beginning of 2024, North Korea has restricted entry to the country to only Russian visitors. This is in response to the growing relationship between the two countries.
In August of the previous year, North Korea became one of the few nations to finally let people who had been denied entry due to border controls to return home. This was a significant step forward for the country.