In an exciting turn of events, North Korea has opened its doors for foreign tourists for the first time in many years. North Korea followed a strict ban on foreign visitors imposed by leader Kim Jong-Un at the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, which resulted in one of the world’s most severe border closures.
Although the country welcomed a group of Russian tourists in 2023, broader international tourism has remained largely restricted until now. Prior to this, tourism had been a crucial source of foreign currency for North Korea, a nation heavily sanctioned due to its nuclear program. Opening doors for foreigners now might just be a step towards reviving the tourism industry.
Western tourists enter North Korea for first time in 5 years.
— Thomas MORE (@ThomaMore) February 26, 2025
➔ After a long hiatus due to the Covid-19 pandemic, foreign tourism in North Korea resumes with western visitors.
➔ Only select Russian tourists were allowed last year.
Travel restrictions easing… pic.twitter.com/2s0aNLENSy
Strict rules for visitors
Despite reopening, North Korea continues to enforce stringent regulations on foreign visitors. Tourists are required to move under constant supervision by local guides and are prohibited from taking photographs in restricted areas. These tight controls have long been a factor limiting North Korea’s appeal as a travel destination.
Upcoming tourism expansion
In an effort to boost its tourism sector, North Korea plans to launch a large-scale tourism project on its eastern coast by June. Experts suggest that Pyongyang and this new eastern coastal site have been chosen due to their ease of surveillance and ability to tightly regulate foreign visitors.
Before the pandemic, Chinese tourists made up nearly 90% of all international visitors to North Korea, with approximately 300,000 Chinese travelers visiting annually. However, group tours from China remain suspended, raising questions about whether North Korea will prioritise Chinese tourists in its tourism recovery plans.
Russian tourists first to return
Surprisingly, the first group of foreign tourists allowed back into North Korea in 2024 were Russian nationals, rather than Chinese visitors as many analysts had anticipated. In February 2024, North Korea permitted around 100 Russian tourists to enter the country, marking the first sightseeing visits by foreigners since the pandemic. By the end of the year, approximately 880 Russian tourists had traveled to North Korea, according to South Korea’s Unification Ministry, which cited official Russian data.
For now, the country appears to be taking a controlled approach to welcoming back foreign visitors.