North Korea has temporarily suspended foreign tourism—which had resumed after a five-year hiatus due to the COVID-19 pandemic—on Thursday. This decision arises from internal concerns regarding health protocols. The North Korean National Emergency Epidemic Prevention Headquarters expressed worries about a resurgence of COVID-19 overseas, leading to a delay in fully resuming foreign tourism.
A source familiar with North Korean affairs told News1 that North Korea has decided, under the guidance of the National Emergency Epidemic Prevention Headquarters, to temporarily halt the acceptance of foreigners due to the current COVID-19 resurgence in nearby countries such as Japan and China.
Initially, North Korea had planned to invite over 200 officials from the General Association of Korean Residents in Japan (Chongryon) to commemorate the 70th anniversary of the Workers’ Party’s founding on October 10. However, this event has been canceled due to health concerns.
Regarding this matter, a South Korea government official stated that it appears that concerns about COVID-19 persist in North Korea. Further noting that it anticipates that foreign tourism will remain restricted at least until the Workers’ Party founding anniversary next month.
The official further explained that while some foreign tourists had entered North Korea until July, they cannot confirm any arrivals in August. The July visitors were Russian tourists invited to the Wonsan Kalma Coastal Tourist Area—likely an exception given the close ties between North Korea and Russia.
North Korea first welcomed Western group tourists to the Rason Economic Special Zone in February but suspended tourism there after three weeks. The last time Western tourists entered North Korea was during the Pyongyang International Marathon in April.
Travel agencies have also halted the sale of North Korean tourism packages. Young Pioneer Tours, a prominent North Korean tourism company based in China, announced on September 1 that North Korea has officially banned foreign tourism and expressed hope for additional opportunities to visit Pyongyang in the near future.
On social media platforms, reviews from foreign tourists who visited North Korea were abundant earlier this year, but such posts have now significantly decreased.
After fully closing its borders in 2020 due to the pandemic, North Korea began to gradually reopen last year. This year, it welcomed Western tourists for the first time since the pandemic and initiated efforts to develop tourist sites across the country.
In July, Kim Jong Un inaugurated the Wonsan Kalma Coastal Tourist Area—a project he has developed over the past decade—and promoted it extensively. He also revealed plans to develop more tourist sites nationwide next year.
Initially, North Korea suspended foreign tourism due to concerns about exposing its poor living conditions and inadequate tourism infrastructure through candid reviews from foreign visitors. However, the impact of COVID-19 health concerns likely played a significant role in this decision, especially given North Korea’s insufficient vaccination coverage and health protocols.
North Korea is expected to continue restricting the entry of foreign tourists until the resurgence of COVID-19 subsides.
Kim’s directive in February to build model local hospitals in three areas—including Kangdong County and Yonggang County—and to construct hospitals in 20 cities and counties annually starting next year can also be interpreted as a plan to establish health infrastructure in tourist areas before fully resuming tourism.