After nearly five years of strict border closures, North Korea is set to reopen its Samjiyon region, a popular tourist destination near the Chinese border, to international visitors in December.
Samjiyon, located at the foot of Mount Paektu, holds significant cultural and historical importance for North Korea. It is also a major site of state propaganda, with claims that Kim Jong Il was born in the area.
The region has been undergoing extensive redevelopment under the direct supervision of North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, who envisions turning Samjiyon into a world-class tourist destination.
This announcement has sparked excitement among travel enthusiasts and North Korean tour specialists, who have been eagerly waiting for the country’s reopening since its borders were sealed in early 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
The news was confirmed by Koryo Tours, a Beijing-based travel agency specializing in North Korean tourism, on August 14.
"We have been waiting for over four years to make this announcement, and we are thrilled to see North Korean tourism reopening once again," Koryo Tours stated on their website.
Currently, the reopening appears to be limited to Samjiyon, but there are expectations that other regions, including Pyongyang, may also reopen to tourists soon.
However, it remains unclear which nationalities will be allowed to visit, with speculation that North Korea might prioritize tourists from 'friendly' nations, possibly limiting access for Western visitors.
Before the pandemic, North Korea’s international tourism sector was primarily driven by Chinese tourists, with just a few thousand Westerners visiting each year.
Since then, the country has only allowed a select group of Russian tourists to enter, highlighting the strengthening political and military ties between Pyongyang and Moscow.
For those adventurous enough to consider a trip to North Korea, the reopening of Samjiyon offers a rare glimpse into one of the most secretive countries in the world.
However, it also comes with significant risks, as past incidents involving detained tourists illustrate.
American college student Otto Warmbier was detained on a North Korea trip in 2016, allegedly for stealing a propaganda poster.
He was returned to the United States 17 months later in a vegetative state and died soon after.
As December approaches, travelers and North Korea watchers will be keeping a close eye on further developments regarding the reopening of this mysterious and controversial destination.
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[Cover image via Pixabay]
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