North Korea to Welcome First Tourists Since 2020 Amid Deepening Ties with Russia

Russian Tourists Set for February Visit Following Talks Between Regional Governor and North Korean Authorities

North Korea is set to welcome a group of Russian tourists in February, marking the first international travelers to visit the country since its borders closed in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
The trip, arranged by a Vladivostok-based agency, was organized following talks between the governor of Russia's far eastern region of Primorsky Krai and North Korean authorities in December.
The four-day tour, departing on Feb. 9, will include stops in Pyongyang and a ski resort, with the itinerary also featuring visits to local monuments, museums, and temples.
The move to reopen to tourists comes amid deepening ties between North Korea and Russia, with leaders Kim Jong Un and Vladimir Putin pledging cooperation on various fronts despite international sanctions.
While the reopening is seen as a positive step, experts caution against viewing it as a sign of a broader opening, citing the special circumstances of the trip.