North Korea has once again closed its borders to foreign tourism, just weeks after welcoming its first Western visitors in five years. The country initially sealed its borders in early 2020 due to the Covid pandemic, before gradually lifting restrictions starting in mid-2023. The first tourists allowed into the country were a group from Russia in February 2024, followed by visitors from other countries such as Britain, Canada, France, and Germany in the following months.
The recent group of international visitors were limited to the remote city of Rason, designated as a special economic zone by the North Korean government. They visited factories, shops, and statues of late North Korean leaders, but were not allowed to visit the capital city of Pyongyang. Travel operators announced that travel to North Korea is no longer possible until further notice, citing an “unprecedented situation” and advising against booking flights for April and May. Refunds are being offered for canceled tours due to the sudden closure.
It remains unclear why North Korea closed its borders again and how long the suspension of tourism will last. The abrupt change has left travelers and tour operators with uncertainty and disrupted plans for those hoping to visit the secretive state in the near future.
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