North Korea suggests the possibility of reopening tourism, yet uncertainties persist

North Korea gives signs that it is willing to open its borders to a number of tourists.

North Korea, often referred to as the reclusive nation, appears to be inching closer to the idea of unlocking its borders to a limited number of tourists, a prospect that has been dormant since the onset of the global pandemic.

Towards the end of August, North Korea's national airline, Air Koryo, resumed operations connecting the capital city, Pyongyang, with Beijing, China, and Vladivostok, Russia. This marked the first time since January 2020 that these flights were back in operation, hinting at the possibility of a broader reopening on the horizon.

Nevertheless, obtaining information from North Korean authorities remains an arduous task, leaving travel companies to engage in conjecture regarding the timeline for welcoming travelers back into the country.

Simon Cockerell, serving as the general manager of Koryo Tours, a China-based firm specializing in organizing group excursions to North Korea, found himself among the multitude of travel industry professionals facing uncertainty when North Korea sealed its already tightly controlled borders in 2020.

Cockerell elaborates on the challenges, stating, "There's no Ministry of Tourism," and further explaining the absence of high-ranking government officials involved in the realm of tourism. Consequently, the availability of information is sporadic at best, leaving him and his colleagues in a state of anticipation and curiosity.

Koryo Group, which also manages tours to other Asian destinations like Kazakhstan and Mongolia, managed to stay afloat during the hiatus but at a reduced capacity.

One of Cockerell's concerns revolves around the lack of search engine interest in North Korea trips potentially affecting his website's visibility on Google.

While Cockerell sees the resumption of international flights as a promising development, he cautions that the revival of tourism may not guarantee the absence of Covid-era measures such as vaccines, quarantines, and other restrictions.

Before the pandemic, tourism to North Korea was permissible but under strict regulations.

Even if leisure tourism to North Korea becomes feasible once more, one significant group excluded from these tours would be Americans.

In 2017, the United States imposed a travel ban on its passport holders visiting North Korea, and this ban has been extended at least until 2024.

A government memorandum accompanying the ban urged potential travelers to consider that their spending in North Korea could potentially support the Kim regime and its activities. The memo stated, "It is entirely possible that money spent by tourists in the DPRK goes to fund (weapons programs). We would urge all travelers, before traveling to the DPRK, to consider what they might be supporting."

The ban on American travel to North Korea was implemented shortly after the tragic death of Otto Warmbier, a recent college graduate from Ohio who participated in a Young Pioneer Tours group trip to North Korea. Warmbier was arrested in North Korea in 2016 on charges of stealing a propaganda poster and was detained for 17 months. Upon his release to the United States in June 2017, he was in a vegetative state and passed away shortly after, at the age of 22.

Individual tourists were not permitted to enter North Korea, with the majority of visitors signing up with companies like Koryo Tours and embarking on group journeys guided by government-appointed escorts and tour guides. The destinations they visited were carefully selected and controlled.

Most of these tour groups flew from Beijing, requiring potential visitors to obtain a Chinese travel visa as well.

While many countries with stringent border controls due to the Covid-19 pandemic allowed their citizens to return home from abroad, North Korea remained a notable exception. Consequently, numerous North Koreans, such as restaurant managers, construction workers, and others sent overseas to generate income for the regime, found themselves essentially stranded in foreign countries.

However, this policy recently underwent a change. On August 27, the North Korean government announced that it would permit its citizens living abroad to return home, albeit subjecting them to a mandatory one-week quarantine upon arrival.

 

Source: cnn.com