A small group of foreign tourists recently visited North Korea, the first international travelers to enter the country in five years. This suggests that North Korea may be looking to resume international tourism to boost its struggling economy. The tourists visited Rason, where they toured factories, shops, schools, and statues of past leaders. The country had been closed to tourists since the start of the pandemic, but has begun to slowly ease restrictions and reopen its borders. In 2024, North Korea accepted about 100 Russian tourists, surprising many who expected Chinese tourists to be the first to visit. North Korea and Russia have been strengthening ties amid North Korea’s support for Russia in its conflict with Ukraine. North Korea is expected to open a large tourism site on the east coast in June, with hopes of attracting Chinese tourists who made up the majority of visitors before the pandemic. However, strict restrictions on foreign travelers, such as the need for local guides and photography bans, may hinder the country’s tourism development. North Korea is investing in tourism sites but relies heavily on international tourists for revenue due to limited domestic demand. Rason, the eastern coast site, and Pyongyang are seen as places where the government can easily monitor and control foreign visitors.
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