North Korea Edges Toward Reopening Borders for Tourism After Five Years

Two Western travel agencies visit North Korean border city Rason, raising hopes for limited tourism resumption.

North Korea has allowed representatives from two Beijing-based travel agencies, Koryo Tours and Young Pioneer Tours, to enter the border city of Rason for the first time since its 2020 COVID-19 border closure.
The agencies are planning guided tours in Rason starting February and March, with itineraries including visits to factories, schools, banks, and local attractions, though independent travel remains prohibited.
Rason, North Korea's first special economic zone, has been a testing ground for limited market reforms and features the country's first mobile network and legal marketplace.
The move may signal North Korea's interest in reviving its tourism sector, generating foreign currency, and easing its isolation, though full reopening has not been confirmed.
U.S. citizens remain barred from entering North Korea due to a 2017 restriction following the death of Otto Warmbier, a student detained and tortured by the regime.