For the first time since 2020, North Korea has permitted a small group of international travelers to enter the country, signaling a potential revival of its tourism-driven foreign currency strategy. Thirteen tourists from the UK, Canada, Greece, and six other nations visited the Rason Special Economic Zone in late February 2024, organized by Beijing-based Koryo Tours.
Simon Cockerell, General Manager of Koryo Tours, confirmed the milestone:
North Korea’s border closure in 2020 left tourism frozen. This Rason opening marks a critical step toward economic recovery.The group toured factories, schools, and statues of former leaders Kim Il Sung and Kim Jong Il under strict supervision.
Analysts highlight three key developments:
- Shift toward Russian tourists (880 visitors in 2024)
- Stalled Chinese group tours despite pre-pandemic dominance
- Upcoming coastal mega-resort targeting foreign visitors
Lee Sangkeun of South Korea’s Institute for National Security Strategy warns: Without Chinese tourists – 90% of pre-COVID visitors – profitability remains uncertain. North Korea’s strict travel controls and surveillance-heavy zones like Pyongyang and Rason further complicate mass tourism efforts.
The regime has invested heavily in infrastructure, including an eastern coastal project referenced by Donald Trump in 2020. However, UN sanctions and reliance on Russian partnerships – strengthened through military cooperation in Ukraine – create new geopolitical risks. As North Korea balances economic needs with authoritarian control, the success of its tourism revival hinges on navigating these complex global dynamics.
