North Korea's reopening: What's really happening with tourism?

Beijing-based Koryo Tours and Shenyang-based KTG Tours recently announced that tours will soon be available to Samjiyon, a city close to the sacred Mount Paektu, the legendary birthplace of the late North Korean leader Kim Jong Il.

Koryo Tours confirmed that tourism to Samjiyon, and possibly other regions, will resume in December 2024, with itineraries and further details to be revealed in the coming weeks.

Samjiyon has historically been a popular spot for Chinese tourists, offering Pyongyang a crucial revenue stream amid ongoing international sanctions.

While North Korean state media has yet to officially announce this reopening, the move aligns with leader Kim Jong Un's previous indications of prioritizing visitors from "friendly" nations like Russia and China.

This year, around 100 Russian tourists were allowed entry, signaling the slow re-opening of the country's tightly sealed borders.

However, U.S. passports remain invalid for travel to North Korea without special validation from the U.S. Department of State, which still classifies the country as "Level 4: Do not travel."

Source CNN: North Korea will reopen to international tourism this winter, tour operators say