North Korea unexpectedly canceled this year’s Pyongyang International Marathon but still allowed dozens of Russian tourists and amateur athletes who had registered for the event to enter the country. These visitors were provided with a separate running program in Pyongyang. This move suggests that North Korea is extending special privileges to Russian tourists while maintaining closed borders for visitors from other nations.
NK News, a media outlet focused on North Korean affairs, reported that Korea Konsult, a Swedish travel agency specializing in North Korean tours, disclosed that 50 Russian passport holders visited the country in early April to participate in a sports tourism program. These individuals had originally applied for the marathon scheduled for April 5.
According to Korea Konsult, after North Korea announced the event’s cancellation on March 9, approximately 40% of the Russian participants withdrew their travel plans. However, the remaining participants still expressed a strong desire to attend. A representative from the agency stated that despite the cancellation, it strongly urged the North Korean partners to arrange an alternative running program for those who were determined to participate.
In response, North Korean authorities granted these individuals entry and provided them with opportunities to run in Pyongyang. NK News reported that participants were allowed to run freely for two hours at the May Day Stadium in Pyongyang.
North Korea also established additional running routes, including a 2-kilometer (about 1.24 miles) round trip near the Yanggakdo International Hotel, an 8-kilometer (about 4.97 miles) course at Ryongaksan, and a 2-kilometer (about 1.24 miles) course around the Hyangsan Hotel in Myohyangsan. However, unrestricted running within Pyongyang city limits was not permitted.
The Pyongyang International Marathon, inaugurated in 1981, has traditionally been held around Wednesday, the birthday of Kim Il Sung. Since the 2000s, it has evolved into one of North Korea’s premier tourism attractions.
The event was suspended from 2020 to 2024 due to COVID-19 related border closures but resumed last year. This year’s marathon generated significant interest, with all 500 spots filled within hours of registration opening last December.
However, North Korea abruptly canceled the event last month without providing a clear explanation. This has raised questions about the country’s readiness to resume foreign tourism and accommodate large numbers of visitors. Some experts suggest that North Korean authorities may have been concerned about the potential for excessive filming and negative content creation by foreign influencers and tourists, based on past experiences.
