North Korea – the world's most isolated country – opens up to welcome tourists
Overview:
Closed completely since early 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Not only stopping receiving international visitors, diplomats, traders, and even North Koreans abroad are also restricted from returning.
Currently (mid-2025), there have been very rare signs of relaxation.
Recent opening signals:
1. Testing welcoming international visitors under the "controlled tourism" category
A small group of Chinese tourists were allowed to enter North Korea in early 2024, on fixed tours, strictly managed.
In May 2025, North Korea invited a number of groups from Russia and Vietnam, which were considered "test tours" under the guise of friendly relations.
2. North Korea promotes Wonsan-Kalma resort
The modern Wonsan coastal resort has been repeatedly mentioned by state media.
This is a high-end tourism project initiated by Kim Jong-un himself, aiming to attract Chinese and Russian tourists.
3. Air Koryo resumes some international flights
There are flights between Pyongyang and Beijing, Vladivostok, and in talks to reopen with Vietnam and Thailand.
This is an important step towards the official recovery of tourism.
North Korea's goal in opening up tourism
Goal Explanation Earn foreign currency After a long embargo, North Korea is seriously short of USD. Tourism is a "safe way to earn money".Soften international image North Korea wants to prove that they are "normalized", modern, and stable.Increase exchanges with China, Russia Especially in the context of needing allies to reduce the influence of the US - Korea - Japan.
But North Korean tourism is still very “North Korean”:
Conditions Reality Not free Tourists must go on a tour, not allowed to leave the group or talk to locals There is a tour guide to supervise Always have at least 1-2 “guides” accompanying and recording behavior No filming or taking photos at will Especially military, infrastructure projects, or civilians workingbLimited subjects Currently only prioritizing China, Russia, Vietnam, some Southeast Asian countries No internet Almost no access to international networks, only internal networks (Kwangmyong).
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| Photo image KIND Massage and Yoga |
Will North Korean tourism really expand?
Although the opening is limited, many experts believe:
This is a strategy to “relax pressure” and “test international reactions”
The goal is not necessarily to do real tourism, but to create a political-diplomatic highlight
Will open gradually, prioritizing “friendly” groups with close political relations.
