North Korea plans to reopen the city of Samjiyon to foreign tourists in December, marking the first time it will welcome visitors in nearly five years. The city, located in the mountainous northern region, will be the initial location to lift its border restrictions, which were imposed at the start of the Covid pandemic. This move follows a gradual easing of restrictions that began in mid-2023.
Tour operators based in China have confirmed the reopening, with hopes that other areas, including Pyongyang, might also become accessible to tourists.
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North Korea had sealed its borders in early 2020, leading to significant disruptions in essential goods imports and worsening food shortages due to international sanctions related to its nuclear program.
Despite the optimism from tour operators, some experts remain skeptical about the actualization of these plans. Chad O’Carroll, CEO of Korea Risk Group, expressed doubts about the feasibility of the reopening, suggesting that concrete developments should be awaited before taking the announcement at face value.
Samjiyon, which has been undergoing extensive redevelopment, is set to reopen to international tourists in December. North Korean leader Kim Jong Un revealed plans in July to enhance the city’s infrastructure, including rebuilding its airport, converting a military ski base into a resort, and constructing new railways and hotels.
The aim is to attract visitors from “friendly” countries, with initial focus on Russian and Chinese tourists due to ongoing redevelopment challenges.
Despite these efforts, some experts, such as Chad O’Carroll, question the feasibility of completing the redevelopment on time. He speculated that, if finished, the city might initially see significant numbers of tourists only from Russia and possibly China, unless North Korea establishes direct flights from neutral countries like Mongolia.
Samjiyon, located at the base of Mount Paektu near the China-North Korea border, is known for its winter attractions. The mountain is significant in North Korean propaganda as the site of historical events involving Kim Il Sung and Kim Jong Il.
The North Korean state media reported that the Mount Paektu-Samjiyon zone is being developed into a major four-season tourist destination. Currently, North Korea has only permitted Russian tourists to enter since early 2024 and recently allowed its own citizens to return after extended border closures.
