North Korea abruptly halts Western group tours after brief reopening

North Korea, which recently welcomed Western group tourists for the first time in five years since the COVID-19 pandemic, has suddenly suspended such tours, AFP and Kyodo News reported on March 5.

Travel Agencies Announce Sudden Suspension

According to the reports, Koryo Tours, a Beijing-based North Korea-focused travel agency owned by a British national, announced on its website and Facebook page that it had been notified of the temporary closure of Rason tours.

“This is an unprecedented situation. We are working to understand the circumstances and will provide updates as soon as we receive further information,” the agency stated.

Simon Cockerell, the head of Koryo Tours, told AFP that those currently in North Korea would complete their trips as planned.

Young Pioneer Tours, another North Korea-specialized agency founded by a New Zealander in Beijing, also confirmed the suspension, stating on its website, “Our partners have informed us that Rason tours are currently paused.”

KTG Tours, a Spain-based agency, confirmed the suspension as well but said it had received no information on the reasons behind the decision or how long it would last, according to AFP.

A Chinese travel agency that had advertised Rason tour packages last month declined to comment when asked whether it was affected by the abrupt halt, AFP added.

North Korea’s Gradual Reopening and Latest Restrictions

North Korea had completely sealed its borders in January 2020 to block the spread of COVID-19. It first allowed foreign visitors in September 2023 but initially restricted group tours to Russian travelers only.

However, in late February, North Korea began allowing Western group tourists to visit the Rason Special Economic Zone. Reports of French, German, and British tourists visiting Rason through these travel agencies were recently covered by Western media.

By Mooyoung Lee [lee.mooyoung@koreadaily.com]