On Monday, the South Korean government announced it is exploring various options regarding reports of promoting individual tourism to North Korea.
The Ministry of Unification issued a press statement that morning, stating that the government is formulating and implementing policies toward North Korea aimed at easing tensions on the Korean Peninsula and improving inter-Korean relations. Further added that as part of this process, they are considering a range of approaches.
Previously, The Dong-A Ilbo reported that the government is examining individual tourism to North Korea as a long-term initiative.
Individual tourism refers to government-approved travel to North Korea that is not part of an official inter-Korean cooperative project. The most feasible method for South Korean tourists to visit North Korea would likely be through foreign travel agencies, particularly those based in China.
Since individual tourism is not an official project between the two governments, it does not violate United Nations (UN) sanctions against North Korea. In 2020, during the Moon Jae In administration, there were efforts to approve individual tourism contingent on North Korea providing guarantees for visitor safety in North Korea. However, these plans did not materialize due to North Korea’s lack of interest and the COVID-19 pandemic.
North Korea has been asserting since December 2023 that the two Koreas are hostile nations, making it unlikely that it would respond positively to any South Korean initiatives for individual tourism in the near future. Foreign travel agencies specializing in North Korean tours, with offices in countries like China, have already announced this year that South Korean and American citizens are prohibited from entering North Korea.