As China signals its intent to expand tourism in North Korea, there is growing interest in whether North Korean tourism targeting China will soon resume, following Russia’s example.
According to the Chinese Embassy in North Korea on the 8th, the Chinese Ambassador to North Korea, Wang Ya Jun, visited the Wanggungri Tomb in Kaesong City with embassy staff on the 3rd. Yoon Jin Myung, Director of the First Department at North Korea’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ri Gwang Chol, Director of the International Department at the National Tourism Administration, and Son Chol Jin, Director of the Foreign Affairs Department at Kaesong City People’s Committee, accompanied him.
Ambassador Wang stated, “The North Korean party and government, as well as past leaders, have placed great emphasis on the preservation of historical and cultural heritage. They have preserved and restored the Wanggungri Tomb so that not only North Koreans but also people from around the world can experience the Korean people’s long history and unique culture.”
He continued, “This year marks the ‘Year of North Korea-China Friendship,’ and I hope that historical and cultural sites in Kaesong City, such as the Wanggungri Tomb, will further uncover their historical, cultural, and temporal values, bolster foreign promotion efforts, attract more Chinese tourists, deepen North Korea-China tourism cooperation and cultural exchanges, enhance mutual understanding and trust between the two peoples, and actively contribute to the further development of North Korea-China relations.”
China has traditionally been a critical source of tourism for North Korea. However, following the reopening of borders previously closed due to the COVID-19 pandemic, North Korea had only permitted group tours from Russia in February. While Russian group tourists have visited North Korea three times since then, there has been no indication of Chinese tourists visiting North Korea.
With Ambassador Wang’s comments, it is expected that Chinese tourism to North Korea will soon resume.
North Korea and China are expanding cooperation across various fields to mark the 75th anniversary of establishing diplomatic relations between the two countries. Last month, a North Korean Workers’ Party delegation visited China. It held discussions with Wang Huning, Chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference, and Wang Yi, Director of the International Department of the Communist Party of China and Foreign Minister, on enhancing cooperation.
Previously, Ming Yuan Jun, Director of the Art Department at the Chinese Ministry of Culture and Art, visited North Korea and exchanged views with Ambassador Wang Ya Jun on cultural and tourism exchanges and cooperation between North Korea and China.
