North Korea reopens to foreign tourists after five years, aiming to boost its economy, but strict travel rules and government surveillance remain in place.

For the first time in half a decade, North Korea has officially reopened its doors to international tourists, signaling a possible shift in its economic strategy. Although a small group of Russian travelers visited in 2023, the latest wave of arrivals marks the most significant influx of foreign visitors since the country imposed strict COVID-19 restrictions, cutting off nearly all outside contact. Analysts suggest this move is an attempt to revive North Korea’s fragile economy, as tourism was once a key source of foreign revenue for the heavily sanctioned nation.

Prior to the pandemic, thousands of foreign tourists—mostly from China—contributed to North Korea’s economy, making tourism one of the few accessible sectors for international engagement. However, stringent regulations remain in place for visitors. Travelers must be accompanied by government-appointed guides at all times, and restrictions on photography, particularly of sensitive sites, remain firmly enforced. These limitations have long curbed the expansion of North Korea’s tourism sector.

In an effort to further boost foreign arrivals, North Korea plans to unveil a major tourist destination on its eastern coast in June 2024. Experts note that Pyongyang and the newly developed coastal region are carefully chosen locations where the government can maintain strict oversight of foreign visitors. Despite efforts to encourage tourism, the industry will likely remain confined to these highly controlled areas.

Historically, Chinese tourists have made up the vast majority—nearly 90%—of foreign visitors to North Korea, with an estimated 300,000 Chinese travelers entering the country annually before the pandemic. However, the first significant post-pandemic tourist arrivals have not been from China, but from Russia. In February 2024, approximately 100 Russian tourists visited North Korea, a move that surprised many who had anticipated China to be the first to restore tourism ties with Pyongyang.

By the end of 2024, reports from South Korea’s Unification Ministry, citing Russian data, indicated that nearly 880 Russian tourists had visited North Korea. Meanwhile, large-scale Chinese group tours remain on hold, casting uncertainty over North Korea’s broader tourism reopening strategy. The unexpected absence of Chinese visitors raises questions about Pyongyang’s evolving diplomatic and economic priorities.

While North Korea’s reopening signals an urgent need for economic relief, its rigid control over foreign tourists may continue to limit its growth as a travel destination. Whether the country will welcome larger numbers of Chinese tourists—or other international visitors—remains unclear, but the move marks a cautious step toward re-engaging with the global economy after years of isolation.

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