North Korea Soon Opens Border For Tourists Touring Samjiyon

Train service in Pyongyang, North Korea/ILLUSTRATION UNSPLASH/Thomas Evans

KAKARTA - North Korea will continue its international tourism program to the city of Samjiyon in December 2024.

This step is a sign that the closed country is ready to reopen borders for larger foreign tourist groups after years of strict border controls against COVID-19.

"We have received confirmation from our local partner that tourism to Samjiyon and most likely other regions of the country will officially reopen in December 2024," said Beijing-based Koryo Tours on its website.

North Korea's international in and out flights resumed last year and a small group of Russian tourists flew to North Korea on a private tour in February.

Foreign top officials, including Russian President Vladimir Putin in June, visited the country.

However, North Korea has not been fully open to international tourists since 2020.

After waiting more than four years to make this announcement, Koryo Tours is eager to reopen North Korean tourism, the company said, adding that its local partners will confirm its planned trip and date in the coming weeks.

North Korea has built what it calls a "socialist utopia" in Samjiyon, a town near the Chinese border, and a highly civilized mountain town model with apartments, hotels, ski resorts, as well as new commercial, cultural and medical facilities.

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un in July sacked or demoted several senior officials for their irresponsible handling of Samjiyon's flagship project.

Another travel agent, KTG Tours, also announced tourists could go to Samjiyon starting this winter.