North Korea has canceled the 2026 Pyongyang International Marathon, which was slated for April. This event was anticipated to signal the resumption of North Korea’s tourism industry. However, on Monday, reports emerged suggesting that the country may have determined it was not yet ready to fully reopen its doors to foreign tourists.
Koryo Tours, a travel agency specializing in North Korean tourism and the official partner of the Pyongyang Marathon Committee, announced that they had received notification from the Secretary-General of the North Korean Athletics Federation. They stated that it regrets to inform participants that the 2026 Pyongyang International Marathon will not take place. The North Korean authorities, however, did not provide specific reasons for the cancellation.
Koryo Tours added that it understands this decision came from higher up than the event organizers. It recognizes this will disappoint those who hoped to participate, but the cancellation was unexpected.
Individuals who have already applied for the marathon will receive a full refund in accordance with the terms and conditions. However, Koryo Tours noted that participants could choose to apply their refunds as a deposit for next year’s event instead.
Since 1981, North Korea has hosted an international marathon to commemorate the birthday of Kim Il Sung on the Day of the Sun (April 15). Beginning in 2014, foreign participation was permitted, transforming the event into one of North Korea’s premier tourism attractions.
After sealing all borders due to the COVID-19 pandemic in February 2020, North Korea resumed the Pyongyang Marathon last April following a six-year hiatus. However, the country suspended tourism to the Rason Economic Special Zone just three weeks after its reopening last February and continues to selectively admit only Russian tourists, maintaining strict control over foreign visitors.