Tours to North Korea via China have been suspended since their resumption in late February after a five-year hiatus due to the COVID-19 pandemic, several tour agencies said on Wednesday.
North Korea had accepted some international tourists, even though their destination was limited to the northeastern city of Rason, which hosts a special economic zone.
Beijing-based Koryo Tours said in a Facebook post, “There has been news that the Rason border may be temporarily closing for tourism. We are currently working to confirm and understand the situation.”
The development came after a German tourist who visited Rason in late February told Western media that he was surprised that tour guides did not try to hide the country’s poverty.
North Korea shut its borders in early 2020 due to the pandemic but has accepted a small number of Russian tour groups since early 2024. Before the public health crisis, Chinese nationals made up the largest number of foreign tourists visiting the country.
Koryo Tours has organized tours to Rason where participants visit sightseeing spots, schools, factories, and a bank, according to its website.
The company has separately begun accepting applications for the Pyongyang International Marathon, which is scheduled to be held on April 6 for the first time in six years. (Kyodo)